We may have finally convinced Dr. Ali Al Treki, Libyan Undersecretary of Foreign Aflilirs to work for a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict initiated by the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front].
He is the Libyan officer in charge of all Libyan support for liberation movements, revolutionaries and terrorists.
And he seemed convinced that he has been deceived by the Muslims who have gone to Libya asking for support for rebellion but here in the Philippines actually supported the government. He was almost bitter in calling them “hypocrites.”
This is specially true now that he has been able to travel throughout Mindanao (Zamboanga. Lanao del Sur, [they helicoptered to Malabang, Balibagan over [Masim and Ramain?] propagandized as burning during the Istanbul Islamic conference from the action allegedly of our troops] and then to Cotabato City. He did not see any sign of MNLF activity or of any area occupied by them.
I believe he is now looking for a graceful way out of the predicament Libya is in for supporting the MNLF.
“We do not want the disintegration of the Philippines. We want an end finally to fighting. For there is still some small fighting. Some kind of autonomy. But there must be negotiations.”
I then insisted on four conditions to the meeting of my representatives with the MNLF:
- That this does not grant the MNLF any status of belligerency.
- That there are no pre-conditions or prerequisites to the conference.
- That the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines is not negotiable.
- That the final meeting on the agreement will be in the Philippines preferably Manila.
Tripoli has been chosen as the meeting place. I chose it so that Dr. Ali Al Treki may be duty bound to see that the negotiations is a success.
And it is set for the last two weeks of October.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
It is unknown where this text comes from, because this entry is missing.
Dr. Ali Al Treki later approached my table to whisper secretly that he felt the head of my delegation should be a Christian so that he would be objective. He is beginning to net like a close co-conspirator instead of an enemy. I am convinced we have.