Philippine officials, rebels fail to break impasse
MANILA,
Philippines (AP) — Philippine government negotiators and communist
rebels have failed to break a yearlong impasse in peace talks as bloody
clashes continue to rage in the country, officials said Sunday.
Government negotiator Alexander Padilla said the two sides met in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Thursday and Friday to discuss differences that have stalled talks on settling the 43-year Marxist rebellion. Norway, which has been brokering the talks, arranged the meetings.
However, key differences, including a rebel demand for the release of jailed comrades, remained unresolved.
The government and the guerrillas agreed to continue "meaningful discussions of concerns and issues" aimed at reviving the talks and attaining "a just and lasting peace," they said in a statement after the meetings.
Government negotiator Alexander Padilla said the two sides met in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Thursday and Friday to discuss differences that have stalled talks on settling the 43-year Marxist rebellion. Norway, which has been brokering the talks, arranged the meetings.
However, key differences, including a rebel demand for the release of jailed comrades, remained unresolved.
The government and the guerrillas agreed to continue "meaningful discussions of concerns and issues" aimed at reviving the talks and attaining "a just and lasting peace," they said in a statement after the meetings.
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