September 5, 2003

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone
at the Centennial Ceremonies of the
Clark Development Corporation
September 1, 2003

Good afternoon to all of you. Madame President, members of the cabinet, my colleague Ambassador Takano, General Abaya, Dr. Angeles, members of the Clark Development Corporation, business partners, and employees at Clark —- what a special privilege to be with you today and what a special pleasure!

Clark’s first hundred years witnessed everything that happened in the Philippines-American relationship and partnership. As the Philippines strengthened its democracy, went on to independence, suffered through the trials, and profited during the peace of the 20th century -- the story of Clark has been about partnership. It is the story of the Philippines’ promise for the future and of its competitiveness. Clark is, indeed, a monument to the Philippines-American partnership.

In the last century, the emphasis was on our partnership for our mutual defense and that remains, but in the new century, the emphasis is on our partnership for our mutual prosperity. As we stand on the threshold of the ministerial in Cancun next week, we will hear a lot about globalization. We will hear a lot from developing countries who say, “We are helpless victims. We cannot compete,” but the Philippines is showing - through Clark - that the Philippines is competing, and competing successfully. The United States also has to compete in this globalized world. We are also being stressed by the same sorts of competitive forces, and we find that partnership is what helps us compete as well. In Clark, we see the partnership of American investment, technology transfer, and confidence and faith in your country. Despite what others may say about it, and despite what some Filipinos themselves are saying about your country, Americans believe in the Philippines. (applause)

Great American companies have put their faith in this country and have put their faith in Clark. I have visited some of them this morning; great American companies like United Parcel Service, America Online, and the Lockheed Martin Company, which is working through a Filipino partner to help repair, not only Philippines Air Force aircraft by Filipino hands in the Philippines, but also foreign aircraft – perhaps, including American aircraft – here in the Philippines, instead of having these services performed in other countries in the region. We are looking to the future, as are your leaders.

Smaller American companies are growing fast at Clark, such as Cybercity Technologies, which first employed tens, then hundreds, now thousands of Filipinos here at Clark thanks, in large part, to the vision of the people who converted Clark to an economic establishment. Thanks also to the vision of President Macapagal-Arroyo, in pushing hard for English language training to sustain that competitive advantage that the Philippines has always had, and to ensure that you carry that competitive advantage into the future. CCT Company is working in the private sector with the American Chamber of Commerce to make sure that, in partnership with President Arroyo’s vision, this competitive edge is sustained.

Clark adds to my personal collection of success stories from around the Philippines. I collect examples of the things that are right with this country, and I report them back to Washington so that I can help my countrymen understand that there is much that is right with the Philippines and much that is happening here that is positive.

So I salute all of you who are members of this great initiative here at the Clark Development Corporation. I commend you, and I extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the centennial of Clark. To the Clark Development Corporation and all who are involved, our sincerest and best wishes for Clark’s future – as an ever prouder monument to Filipino-American industry, cooperation and partnership. Mabuhay!

###