Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post: "The rebel and government negotiators on Thursday also agreed to have Malaysian-led international monitors and the joint cease-fire committee investigate the Oct. 18 clash. Despite the rebel’s claim of Asnawi’s being cleared, the military said Wednesday it would continue to hunt for the guerrilla commander, who escaped from Basilan provincial jail in 2009. Col. Dickson Hermoso, head of the military office monitoring the peace talks, said the 11,000-strong Moro front would not be targeted itself, only rebels “who provide sanctuary or coddle these lawless elements.” Moro front vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar welcomed the international investigation into the Oct. 18 clash. “That means it will be an impartial investigation. That’s what we have been calling for all the while,” he told The Associated Press. Marvic Leonen described Thursday’s meeting as “a candid exchange where both sides cleared the air about pressing issues.” “We agreed to move forward on the substantive agenda and meet again very soon,” he said, without elaborating."

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Arab League: Syria agreed to terms of peace plan ending 7 months of bloodshed & opening dialogue w/ gov't opponents on ways to move toward democracy

Under the terms of the deal, Syria will withdraw the army from cities and towns, release all political prisoners and permit access to media, human rights groups and Arab monitors, according to a statement issued by the League. “We are happy to have reached this agreement, and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately,” Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani told a news conference after a ministerial meeting in Cairo. It was also unclear whether Syria had agreed to the Arab League’s demand that the negotiations with the opposition should be held in Cairo. President Bashar al-Assad’s government has in the past insisted that any talks should be held in Syria’s capital, Damascus, which his opponents say would put them at risk of detention. Under the plan, the dialogue is to begin in two weeks.

Arab League announces peace plan for Syria - The Washington Post: ""

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Nepal Maoists ended a long-running insurgency. Peace moves had stalled over the future of former rebel fighters and a new constitution

BBC News - Nepal parties agree final part of landmark peace deal: "The Maoists gave up their decade-long armed revolt in 2006 and joined a peace process. Their decade-long insurgency left 15,000 people dead and caused massive damage to the economy. They agreed to confine their fighters to UN-monitored camps and locked up their weapons, in addition to taking part in mainstream politics and contesting elections. But there were strong disagreements among the main parties over the future of the former rebel fighters. In 2009, Maoist leader Prachanda resigned as prime minister after his efforts to sack the country's army chief - who he accused of hampering his efforts to integrate former Maoist fighters in the army - were blocked by the president. But the situation improved in September 2011 with the election of Maoist Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. Shortly after he was sworn in, most Maoist weapons were handed over to a multi-party committee tasked with overseeing the peace process. Mr Bhattarai is the fifth in the five years since the peace process started. He has been described by some as the country's last hope."

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The first step to United Nations admission is admission to UNESCO. Of the 135 UNESCO members, 104 voted to admit Palestine

Palestine Wins First Step Toward U. N. Admission | Lez Get Real: " The principal block to the peace process, in this round, is the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. These pre-fab towns occupied mainly by the most ardent Zionists, have turned the West Bank into Swiss cheese. A half-million Israelis are now living in the West Bank and expect to stay there as part of Israel. The Israeli government has refused to halt the building of settlements while peace is negotiated. Israel insists that it will not negotiate with terrorists, meaning the members of the Palestinian government who are members of Hamas.

The Palestinian Authority ostensibly administers the West Bank, but Israel maintains fairly thorough control. President Abbas has threatened to dissolve the Authority and leave the more mundane aspects of Palestinian administration to the Israelis.

The UNESCO vote is more a measure of the world’s attitude toward the West Bank and Gaza than anything with substance. By a 7.4 to l ratio, the nations of the world believe that the West Bank and Gaza deserve independence and statehood. They have been occupied by Israel since 1967."

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Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/27/2011

Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/27/2011: "Occupy Philadelphia, entering its 23d day on Dilworth Plaza, remains one of the most peaceful demonstrations of its kind in the country.

In contrast to Oakland, Calif., where a protester was critically injured, and Baltimore, where police clashed with demonstrators this week, Philadelphia has been a model of restraint.

Police, city officials, and the movement's members are praising one another for their civility and respect.

"The city government is sympathetic," says Joshua Hupp, an Occupy activist. "They haven't tried to get rid of us like in other cities. That's saying something."

Farrell, who is working with the growing population of homeless people who are gravitating to the movement's tent city, says the police have been nothing but helpful. "Their presence alone is deterring some people from acting out.""

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Pope invites Hindus, Jews, Buddhists for peace pilgrimage, but no common peace prayer - The Washington Post

Pope invites Hindus, Jews, Buddhists for peace pilgrimage, but no common peace prayer - The Washington Post: "Benedict will welcome the various delegations at the Vatican on Thursday morning and they will travel by papal train to Assisi, the town known for the peace-loving message of its native son St. Francis.

There will be remarks and a shared light lunch, followed by the time for individual reflection and prayer. The delegates will walk together in a pilgrimage for a bit before coming together for concluding remarks and the train ride back to Rome.

The guest list includes the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and representatives from Greek, Russian, Serbian and Belarusian Orthodox churches. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is coming for the Anglican church, and representatives from Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist and other Christian denominations are on the list as well.

Several rabbis will be joined by some 60 Muslims, a similar number of Buddhists, three Taoists, a half-dozen Hindus, three Jains and a Zoroastrian. Also invited for the first time are four intellectuals who profess no faith at all — part of Benedict’s efforts to reach out to atheists."

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"you either get out of the way & align w/ the people to engage in a process of change or if you try to hold onto power,in the end you will be removed"

Arab Spring may endanger Mideast peace: Tony Blair | Reuters: " Arab pro-democracy uprisings spell more regional instability that could complicate peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians but also make it necessary to get the process back on track, envoy Tony Blair said on Sunday.

Blair will sit down separately with Israeli and Palestinian officials this week in Jerusalem to try to revive a peace process that broke down more than a year ago because of a dispute over Jewish settlement expansion.

"It is a great thing that people are wanting democracy, but in the short term there is reduced stability in the region so that can pose problems for Israel and the peace process," said Blair.

"Because of the instability and uncertainty in the region, it's right that we grip the peace process and put it back on track again."

"We need strong, clear commitments that both parties will produce comprehensive proposals on borders and security within 90 days," he said." (click link above to read full article)

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