Embassy of the United States in Manila

The rights of mankind are advancing across the world – and across the world the enemies of human rights are responding with violence. …In the last year alone, terrorists have attacked police stations, and banks and commuter trains, and synagogues – and a school filled with children. All civilized nations are in this struggle together, and all must fight the murderers.

President Bush, in his September 21, 2004 speech before the U.N. General Assembly

No tangible progress toward democracy

“The United States maintains a strong set of sanctions against the regime in Burma. We will maintain pressure on the regime until there is tangible progress toward the restoration of democracy and protection of human rights for all the peoples of Burma.... We have seen no such tangible progress since the May 30, 2003 attack on National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters. ...America will remain steadfast in seeking freedom for the Burmese people. We call on other concerned nations to join us in pressing the regime to live up to its commitments to restore full democracy and human rights to the people of Burma.”

Statement by the White House on July 8, 2004, when President George W. Bush signed a bill renewing import restrictions on Burma.

“People didn’t even ask what religion I was”

"It's different than anything I've seen on TV. I thought everyone was for the war (in Iraq) and that they didn't like Muslims because of terrorism. I found people who didn't really care. I mean a lot of people didn't even ask what religion I was. They really wanted to know me as me."

-- Sarah, a Muslim student from Turkey, commenting on how she found the United States after living there for a year under the Department of State’s Partnerships for Learning, Youth Exchange and Study Program (P4L-YES).

One of Iraq’s most loyal and patriotic citizens

“The assassination of the Honorable President of the Governing Council Ezz El-Din Salim this morning in Baghdad came as a great shock to me and my colleagues from the United Nations. We condemn this criminal act which has taken the life of one of Iraq’s most loyal and patriotic citizens, a man who made every sacrifice for his country, who worked sincerely and selflessly so that Iraq may regain its sovereignty and strength.”

-- Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, May 17, 2004

“A bridge between us”

“There are few times when I have been ashamed to be an Arab American. One of the times was to see what a small group of Americans could do to Arabs. Another time was to see what a small group of Arabs would do to an American like you saw today with Zarqawi's people chopping the head off an American. …I believe that there is a bridge between us that can be built towards a better future, and we shouldn't think that this bridge would be built by violence. It must be built with dialogue and mutual respect. …It can't be America versus the Arabs. It must be Americans and Arabs, Muslims and Christians working against the people that have no vision for the future other than hate. And if we can't do that, then we will suffer just like the people of Abu Ghraib and just like the poor American who was beheaded at the hands of the terrorists yesterday.”

-- Gen. John Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), speaking at a press conference in Jordan May 12, 2004.

“I’m sorry for the prisoners”

“I am sorry for the humiliation suffered by those individuals. It makes me sick to my stomach to see that happen. …I'm sorry that the truth about our soldiers in Iraq becomes obscured. …We've got fantastic citizens in Iraq; good kids; good soldiers…who are working every day to make Iraqi citizens' lives better. …It's an awful, awful period for the American people, just like it's awful for the Iraqi citizens to see that on their TV screens. …I'm sorry for the prisoners, I really am. I think it's humiliating.”

-- President George W. Bush, in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram on May 6, 2004.

“Make certain that such
offenses are not repeated”

“There will be a full accounting for the cruel and disgraceful abuse of Iraqi detainees. The conduct that has come to light is an insult to the Iraqi people, and an affront to the most basic standards of morality and decency. …Those involved will answer for their conduct in an orderly and transparent process. We will honor rule of law. All prison operations in Iraq will be thoroughly reviewed to make certain that such offenses are not repeated. …What took place in the Iraqi prison does not reflect the character of the more than 200,000 military personnel who have served in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

-- President George W. Bush, in a statement at the Pentagon, May 10, 2003

more quotes

In Focus

U.S. Embassy Manila announces H-1B visas will be issued throughout FY05

On October 1, 2004, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally-mandated cap for Fiscal Year 2005 (October 2004 through September 2005). Congress has set an annual H-1B cap of 65,000 for the skilled, temporary workers included in this category. USCIS will notify petitioners, beneficiaries and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad as these H-1B petitions are approved. Once approved, beneficiaries will be scheduled for visa interviews and issued visas according to their eligibility. Accordingly, U.S. Embassy Manila expects to schedule H-1B visa interviews as petitions are approved and issue H-1B visas throughout the 2005 Fiscal Year.

Embassy reminds citizens of visa-waiver countries of new U.S. entry requirements

Beginning on October 26, 2004, all travelers from the 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa upon entry to the United States. All VWP travelers will also be required beginning September 30, 2004, to enroll in US-VISIT, a program involving a digital photograph and fingerscans.

New $50 bill enters worldwide circulation

The U.S. Federal Reserve began distributing on September 28 the new U.S. $50 note to its banking customers for distribution to businesses and the public worldwide. The redesigned $50 bill is the same size as the

older version and still features former president Ulysses S. Grant on the front and the U.S. Capitol building on the back. The borders around both Grant and the Capitol have been removed. In addition to fresh touches of color, new or upgraded elements of the design include a watermark, security thread and color-shifting ink. U.S. officials stress that notes of both the new and old design will continue to be accepted as long as they remain in circulation.

Bush proposes international
Democracy Fund

Calling on nations to support fledgling democracies around the world, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S. President Bush proposed the establishment of an international "Democracy Fund." The fund would help countries lay the foundations of

democracy, the president said in a September 21 speech at the opening of the 59th U.N. General Assembly. He also outlined a broad agenda to advance human dignity, enhance security, defeat terrorism, protect human rights, and support development in addition to the goal of advancing democracy. Bush said that the United States "will stand with the people of Afghanistan and Iraq until their hopes of freedom and security are fulfilled."

State Department launches
online magazine for youth

The Department of State has launched Hi International, a new English language monthly webzine for youth, dealing with families, friends, careers, beliefs, sports, music, technology, education, relationships and potentials of the youth. The online magazine

features articles on trends and ideas in the U.S. that are often paralleled abroad. It is published by the The Magazine Group, which has over 20 years in the magazine production business, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State.

Department of State’s 2004 report
notes religious freedom in RP

Philippine government policy and practice “contributed to the generally free practice of religion” in the country, according to the International Religious Freedom Report 2004 that the U.S. Department of State released on September 15. The report said “the government does not ban or discourage specific religions or religious factions” although some Muslim leaders “assert ... that Muslims suffer from economic discrimination” and continue to be “underrepresented in senior civilian and military positions.” On the Abu Sayyaf Group, the report noted that “mainstream Muslim leaders reject its religious affiliation and strongly criticize its actions as ‘un-Islamic.’”

Mussomeli on RP fiscal difficulties:
Philippines must make “the hard choices”

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli said the Philippines must make the “hard choices” to avoid a fiscal crisis, while the U.S. “must continue to lend the moral and political support that may help bolster” the Philippines’ “political

resolve.” In remarks during a September 14 reception welcoming the U.S. ASEAN Business Council on its annual mission to the Philippines, Chargé Mussomeli also said: “We want to see this nation succeed, but the hard choices to avoid a crisis must come from the Philippine government. …It is now, solely and fully, in the hands of the Philippine government and the Filipino people.”

Bush says 9/11 memories endure,
promises victory vs. terrorists

President Bush, in a national radio address on September 11, said that three years after the terrorist attacks on the U.S., memories have not faded. "We remember the images of fire, and the final calls of love, and the courage of rescuers who saw death

and did not flee." He said the U.S. is safer now than it was three years ago, but not yet secure. The U.S, he vowed, will “pursue the terrorists wherever they train, or sleep, or attempt to set down roots. We have conducted this campaign from the mountains of Afghanistan, to the heart of the Middle East, to the horn of Africa, to the islands of the Philippines, to hidden cells within our own country.”

Powell: Persevere in Iraq despite military losses

One day after the number of U.S. military fatalities in Iraq reached 1,000, Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to three television news programs about the need to persevere in the fight against the insurgents in order to establish freedom and democracy

in Iraq. "The greatest tribute we can pay to these brave, wonderful young Americans, who have given their lives, is to persevere, to keep moving forward, to defeat this insurgency, to defeat this enemy, to give the Iraqi people what they deserve. And that is a country that rests on the rule of law, that rests on popular representation of the leaders of that country. … There is no alternative to persevering and going forward," Powell said in a September 8 interview with ABC television's Charlie Gibson.

Biometrics Are Here!

Beginning September 7, 2004, all Immigrant visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 are required to be fingerprint-scanned at the time of the visa interview. Beginning September 14, 2004, all Non-immigrant visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, except for diplomatic or government representatives traveling on official business, are required to be fingerprint-scanned. Individuals with currently valid U.S. visas do not have to come to the Embassy to have their fingerprints scanned until the visa expires and they wish to apply for a new one. Please go to our Consular Services link for more information about biometrics and US-VISIT.

U.S. customs and border officers to observe greater standards of courtesy

The U.S. has launched an initiative that will make its Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers more courteous and give them greater discretion to admit visitors who have committed a technical or inadvertent immigration violation but pose no

terrorist threat. Commissioner Robert Bonner, head of the CBP, said the agency established a code of conduct for CBP officers and will display at all ports of entry the agency's "Pledge to Travelers," which includes commitments to treat travelers with courtesy, dignity, and respect, and to accept and respond to travelers' comments. The initiative is designed to ensure the "highest degree of professionalism and courtesy" at U.S. ports of entry, Bonner said in an August 26 news release.

Ricciardone: ban on OFWs to Iraq
not a U.S.-RP issue

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, in an interview with Dateline Philippines on ANC TV 21 on August 31, suggested that the Philippines might want to “take a careful look at relaxing” the ban on Filipino workers bound for Iraq “in very specific

circumstances where the government is satisfied that all reasonably possible is being done to protect…the workers who are going to a particular site.” He clarified, however, that the ban is “not something that we regard as a U.S.-Philippine issue.” He said, “We talk about it, but we’re not making any demands.” He suggested that the topic is occasioned by Iraqi’s quest for democracy and the U.N. call, made during the Philippine presidency of the Security Council, for all member states to help in rebuilding and securing Iraq as its people work toward elections

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State pledges USG support for President Arroyo’s fiscal reform efforts

“The United States supports President Arroyo in her efforts at reform and economic rationalization,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State E. Anthony Wayne in his remarks at the Asian Institute of Management in Manila on August 31. The Assistant

Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs said, “We believe that efforts to increase revenues by broadening the tax base and improving tax administration will help deal with the immediate problem of low government revenues. We believe that it is critical that reform proposals to reduce the fiscal deficit be enacted and vigorously implemented soon. The time to act is now.” The U.S. Government, he said, “will do what we can to assist the Philippines. We will offer our best advice and encouragement, and provide targeted assistance.”

Powell lauds Iraqi government leadership in resolving Najaf standoff

Secretary of State Colin Powell welcomed the success of the Iraqi Interim Government in working with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to defuse the situation in Najaf and achieve a demobilization of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi militia. In an August 27 radio

interview with Tony Snow, the secretary said the standoff in Najaf was a good example of how U.S. forces are working with the sovereign Iraqi government to restore stability to the country. He said the presence of the American troops "shaped the battle to the point where it was clear to al-Sadr that he had to yield to al-Sistani and to the government.

Ricciardone: Coalition’s intervention
has brightened Iraq’s future

“Iraq and its future as a free and democratic country really do matter to all of us. And… Iraq’s future is bright -- precisely because of allied intervention to free the Iraqi people from four and a half decades of dictatorship and strife,” said U.S. Ambassador Francis

Ricciardone in his remarks to the Asia Society of the Philippines on August 26. The Ambassador also noted that the Philippines decision to withdraw its contingent from Iraq disappointed Iraqis, the coalition of countries that are helping Iraq, and the U.S. Nevertheless, the Ambassador stated that the century-old U.S.-Philippines alliance and friendship will continue. He added: “Our important common interests and values certainly endure. In particular, we continue to work together against international terrorists active in the Philippines.”

Bush announces largest U.S. forces
restructuring in 50 years

President Bush announced on August 16 the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. military forces since the end of the Korean War. Over the next 10 years, he said, 60,000-to-70,000 troops and about 100,000 family members and civilian

employees will be brought back to the U.S. from military facilities in Europe and Asia, while others will be redeployed "to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats." Throughout the implementation of the force realignment, the U.S. will still maintain a significant overseas presence, he said. Bush revealed his plan in a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 16.

U.S. welcomes conviction of 17 Abu Sayyaf members

The U.S. State Department welcomed on August 13 the conviction of 17 members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group by a Philippine court for kidnapping three nurses and a hospital laborer in 2001. Some of those convicted had also participated in the 2001 kidnapping of American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and the beheading of American Guillermo Sobero. "The successful prosecution of these members of a violent, terrorist organization demonstrates the resolve of the Philippines to deny sanctuary to terrorists," said Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman.

U.S. redesignates CPP/NPA
as a terrorist organization

The U.S. has redesignated the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, according to an August 9 statement by the Department of State. The redesignation makes it illegal for persons in the U.S. or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to knowingly provide material support to the CPP/NPA; requires U.S. financial institutions to block assets of the organization; and provides a basis for the United States to deny visas to CPP/NPA representatives and members. The redesignation, the statement pointed out, does not preclude a conclusion of a peace agreement between the CPP and the Philippine government.

New U.S. government website to ease
travel registration of Americans overseas

The upgraded Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website will go online on July 15 and will feature an Internet-based registration system (IBRS) that will be highly useful for American citizens who are residing or traveling abroad. The IBRS will serve as a convenient way for American citizens traveling or residing overseas to provide important contact data in the event of emergencies and to instantly receive up-to-the-minute travel and safety information for the regions or countries on their travel itineraries.

Applicants for student visas
to pay additional $100 fee

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that starting on September 1, 2004, there will be an additional $100 visa fee for international students, exchange visitors and scholars attending U.S. schools or conducting research in the United States. The new fee will help cover the costs of administering and maintaining Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that maintains information on foreign students and exchange visitors to the United States and helps facilitate their entry. According to ICE, the fee applies to F, J and M non-immigrant classifications; however, participants in certain J-1 exchange visitor programs will pay a reduced fee of $35 or be fee-exempt. Please note that the implementation of this new fee is still under discussion. The exact procedure for collecting the fee has yet to be determined. Further updates will be posted on this website and the Department of Homeland Security homepage.

Read the Philippines portion in the following State Department Annual Reports:

Arms To Farms (streaming video)

In Southern Philippines’ Mindanao region, thousands of former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have made the difficult transition from decades of fighting to peaceful and productive civilian lives. “Arms to Farms,” a documentary video that chronicles this successful transition, profiles four former MNLF rebels and shows how the USAID’s ELAP/LEAP program enabled them and thousands others like them to sustain and reap the benefits of their choice of peace over war.

Special Features

Click on the buttons below to view materials on:

* President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State Visit to Washington on May 19, 2003

* President George W. Bush’s State Visit to Manila on October 18, 2003

U.S. Ambassador Ricciardone receives a bouquet from some members of Songspell, a singing group of Davao children who rendered much- applauded numbers at the launching of the U.S. Virtual Consulate in Davao City on October 6. The Ambassador presided over the launching of the virtual consulate, which is expected to increase U.S.-Davao cultural and commercial ties, and provide service and information to Davao residents and American citizens. Davao’s local government and private sector leaders attended the event held at the Marco Polo Hotel. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo greets Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, Commanding General, U.S. Army I Corps and Ft. Lewis, Washington, during a courtesy call on her in Malacanang Palace on September 17. The highest-ranking Filipino-American in the U.S. military, Gen. Soriano visited the Philippines for the first time since his family immigrated to the U.S. almost 50 years ago. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli (right) exchange notes with Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, Philippine envoy to Washington and Chairman of the U.S.-Philippines Business Council, during a reception welcoming the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council’s annual mission to the Philippines on September 14. The mission’s visit at this time, the Chargé said, will show U.S. commitment to support the Philippines as the country addresses its fiscal challenges. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone smiles as the computer monitor between him and Consular Officer Rachel Wolfe shows the electronic scan of his fingerprint during the Embassy’s launching of the new biometrics system for visa applicants on September 8. All U.S Embassies and Consulates abroad that process visa will implement the new system by October 26 this year. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Ambassador Francis Ricciardone (right) and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza (second, right) witness L3 Communications Vice President Stephen Meltz (second, left) present to Marlon Barillo, president of Asiaborders Philippines, a certificate designating the latter as L3 Com’s sole distributor of security products and services in the Philippines in a ceremony held in Makati City on September 8. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Ambassador Francis Ricciardone talks to a mother who brought her children to the USAID-funded Well Family Midwife Clinic in Talisay City. During his visit to Cebu on September 1-3, the Ambassador also attended a photo exhibit and a jazz concert, both sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, and met with local government and business leaders. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Chicago Jazz Quartet vocalist Matt Lewis (on the microphone, right), jams it up with popular Philippine jazz singer Richard Merk (in white shirt) during a free performance at Merk’s Bistro on August 31 as part of the quartet’s August 29 - September 3 visit to the country as U.S. Department of State – Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Secretary Alberto Romulo (right) receives U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone warmly during the latter’s courtesy call on the new Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary at his office Manila on August 27. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

“The new Iraq portends a much brighter future than the one all too often portrayed,” U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone explains to the Asia Society of the Philippines on August 26. In his first discussion of Iraq’s transition to democracy since he returned from Baghdad on a special assignment to organize the new U.S. Embassy in Iraq, the Ambassador said the international cooperation to support Iraq’s transition “will define our time.” (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone (right), cuts the ribbon with Shangri-La Plaza Corporation President Tomas Zita (center) and Ford Group Philippines Henry Co (left) to open the “American Roadside Architecture” photo exhibit at the Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City on August 16. The exhibit, which is open free to the public, is on display in the hotel until August 31, and will be shown at SM City Cebu from September 2 to 24, and at SM Davao City from October 2 to 22. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

(Left to right:) ARMM Gov. Parouk Hussin, USAID Philippines Director Dr. Michael Yates, Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) president Victoria Garchitorena, and Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza, exchange copies of the memorandum of understanding they signed on August 16 for a joint USAID-AFI project to provide computers and internet access for Mindanao schools. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

U.S. Ambassador Ricciardone and Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert shake hands during a press briefing in Manila on August 9. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone commended Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her Aug. 6 remarks before the Manila Overseas Press Club, in which she made clear her administration’s commitment to supporting the rebuilding of Iraq with the contribution of Filipino workers and to working with allies in the global war on terrorism. “These are things that are important to both of our countries...we look forward to continuing to work together on that,” he said. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and Philippine Finance Secretary Juanita D. Amatong signed on August 6 an agreement for a $20-million loan for the purchase of 48,200 MT of rice from the U.S. The revenue from the local sale of the rice will help finance Philippine government programs in food security, poverty alleviation, and broad-based and equitable agriculture. Department of Finance Assistant secretary Roberto Tan (left) and Department of Agriculture Officer-in-ChargeArthur C. Yap (second, left) witnessed the signing. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

President George W. Bush greets children who came to meet him and First Lady Laura Bush on his arrival in Malacanang Palace on his State visit to Manila on October 18. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Sharing the stage with President Bush, Philippine President Arroyo is given a warm welcome by volleys of enthusiastic cheers during the South Lawn ceremony. White House photo by Eric Draper. (Click photo to see photo gallery)

This site is produced and maintained by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Manila.
Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
Privacy Notice and Disclaimer

More Photo Gallery

Japanese Ambassador Kojiro Takano (right) and Winrock International Chief of Party Rodrigo Cabrera (center) exchange copies of the grant agreement they signed on July 21 for the construction of a potable water system in Barangay Chua, Sultan Kudarat, under the U.S.-Japan joint endeavor “Clean Water for People Initiative.” USAID-Philippines Director Michael Yates (right) witnessed the signing. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)

Forty-one high school students who will reside and study in the U.S. for one year under a U.S. government -funded program made a courtesy call on U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone on August 4. Chosen from more than 350 applicants nationwide on the basis of their academic excellence and other criteria, more than half of the 41 scholars come from Mindanao. (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)