MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 23, 2011) – Robert Hannigan, Director General for Defence and Intelligence of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), reiterated the UK Government’s pledge to help move the Mindanao peace process forward.
“We are very keen to offer any guidance and experience that we have. Each peace process is different, there is no template. Here it is for the Philippine Government and other parties involved to take this process forward. But in the spirit of the warm relations between our countries, and wanting to see progress, we are very keen to offer that help,” said Hannigan during a briefing Tuesday at the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
During the briefing, Hannigan shared the key elements that contributed to the success of the Northern Ireland peace process that may also be relevant to the peace process in Mindanao.
“Intensive, inclusive and creative is the approach that we found worked in Northern Ireland. Based on our experience, momentum and intensive engagement is a key pillar for the peace process. Political will from the highest level, which I have seen here in the Philippines, is incredibly important. Without political will, no peace process can succeed. Also, every process needs creative minds that are thinking of new ways around old problems,” Hannigan said.
Hannigan was in Mindanao on Wednesday where he met also with members of the International Monitoring Team and the negotiating peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Prior to this, he met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, members of the negotiating peace panel of the government, Cabinet officials and members of the Upper and Lower House, among others.
Hannigan shared his insights on the critical challenges legislators and government executives in Northern Ireland faced in relation to the security aspects of the peace process, and the enforcement of the peace agreement.
Hannigan expressed his wish for Mindanao to reap the benefits of peace just like what is happening in Northern Ireland. “The long-term benefits of peace are so clear, and as we look back at the peace process in Northern Ireland we see the benefits already – economic and social, a new generation growing up without conflicts.” he said.
While admitting that every peace process has its setbacks, Hannigan said this should not stop the parties involved from pursuing negotiations. “When there is violence, that is the moment when it is most difficult to drive the process forward, but also clearest that the peace process really matters,” he concluded.
Hannigan’s visit is the latest in a series of activities undertaken by the British Embassy since 2008 to share the UK’s experiences of the peace process in Northern Ireland. The British Embassy is part of the International Contact Group for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF.
While recognising the differences between the situation in Muslim Mindanao and Northern Ireland, the UK believes that there are some useful lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process that can provide useful insights for the southern Philippines.
Hannigan joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as Director General Defence and Intelligence on March 29, 2010. He leads the FCO’s role in managing strategic international security threats, including counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation. He also provides advice to the Foreign Secretary on intelligence matters, oversees UK policy towards the Americas and Caribbean, and governance of the UK’s Overseas Territories. He is a member of the FCO’s Board of Management.
He was the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser and Head of Intelligence, Security, and Resilience in the Cabinet Office from 2007. Hannigan was responsible for the UK National Security Strategy, for advice to the Prime Minister on counter terrorism, intelligence and security policy, and for coordination and funding of the UK intelligence agencies. He was also responsible for crisis management and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat.
Until 2007 he was the principal adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair and various Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland on the peace process, with responsibility for negotiations with the political parties and other groups, and liaison with the Irish Government and US Administration.
Before taking up this post Robert Hannigan was the Director of Communications for the Northern Ireland Office.
20