 The return of a strong U.S.-Philippines bond
UNITED NATIONS Ñ Philippine President Gloria Macapagal ArroyoÕs State visit to Washington D.C. restated the obvious Ñ that the long and friendly ties between the USA and the Republic of the Philippines remain strong and sound. That Arroyo was the first Asian leader to make a full court state visit was in itself unique and may I say deserving. Following the extraordinary reception awarded her at the White House, itÕs not surprising that the Philippine President is expected to have generated nearly $4 billion in grants, aids, loans, and contracts from a wide spectrum of public and private sources.
Right from the start after the atrocities of September 11th, the Philippine government was in close and spontaneous solidarity with the USA. So were most countries, but the hands across the sea solidarity soon became an equivocal hand wringing and rationalizing from many of AmericaÕs closest European allies.
Not so the Philippines nor Japan. Actually the Philippines has more than enough bad experience with Muslim terrorists and separatist violence in its southern island of Mindanao. Moreover troubles in the Moro and Sulu islands have haunted the largely Christian country for generations but now pose a decidedly Islamic twist.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front and a gaggle of Abu Sayyaf Moslem guerillas which kidnap and kill missionaries and tourists have plagued the Philippines long before Bin Laden became a household word. As with many of these situations, Al-Qaida can easily fish in these muddy waters though the groups are not necessarily part of the larger terrorist menace facing the U.S..
During Gloria ArroyoÕs visit to Washington, President George W. Bush extolled the warm and deep ties binding the two countries, now as partners in the global war against international terrorism. Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House, Bush
announced the inclusion of the Philippines in the major non-NATO ally (MNNA) category that includes Australia, Israel, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople advised that this strategic status will strengthen the Manila governmentÕs drive against terrorist cells through a close working relationship with U.S. military.
ÒThis designation is symbolic of the high level of trust and friendship between the two countries and its leaders. It also boosts the relentless efforts of our military to fight terrorists in southern Philippines since it means the Philippines is now eligible for priority delivery of excess defense articles,Ó Ople explained in the Manila Bulletin.
Peter Kovach, Director of Public Diplomacy at the State Department added that ÒA new era in Philippine/American relations is in the offing.Ó
It appears so. Gloria ArroyoÕs American visit is slated to reap a proverbial horn of plenty with an expected near $4 billion Ñ $247 for counter terrorism security assistance, $225 million in poverty alleviation, $1.6 for economic development, and $377 million for Philippine veterans. A further $460 million will come from the World Bank and the IMF. The U.S. private sector is expected to invest over $1 billion in Philippine projects,
related the Manila Bulletin in a post-visit scorecard.
Besides the security side, as this column has said, the Philippine construction companies expect to share in the rebuilding of Iraq, something which can generate between 30,000 and 50,000 jobs for reconstruction work in Iraq.
ÒThe relationship between the Philippines and the United States is stronger than at any time in our recent history, ÒPresident Bush stated adding, ÒOut alliance helps ensure the security of both our countries. This is a vital alliance.Ó
Thus thereÕs a historical thread here too. When Americans think of the Philippines, unpleasant memories of Ferdinand Marcos and his political kelptocracy and sadly much enduring corruption come to the fore. Few even well educated Americans, victims of studying social studies rather than history, know of the close and vital ties between the U.S. and the Philippines during WWII; of the horrible Bataan death march, Corregidor, or General Douglas MacArthurÕs extraordinary and kept promise to return to liberate the island from Japanese occupation.
MacArthurÕs triumphant return to the Philippines from Imperial Japan Ñ the grist of living legend Ñ today is either soft peddled, smirked at, or simply forgotten. Now President George W. Bush wishes to renew commitments to old friends.
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense
issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
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