Transcript of the Press Briefing with
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi
and Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone
Manila Hotel, July 1, 2004
Manila

Ambassador Ricciardone: Good morning. It’s good to be back with you. It’s a very great official honor and pleasure and also a very great personal pleasure to welcome back to the Philippines Secretary Anthony J. Principi. I’ll tell you why it’s a particular pleasure. It’s because he is the first member of the Bush administration, first cabinet member that President Bush sent to the Philippines to help rebuild a really strong relationship with this country -- very early in the Bush administration and early in the first Arroyo administration. I had just arrived in February of 2002 and I have worked very hard to arrange for cabinet members to come and show the importance of this relationship to the Filipino people and I had visited Secretary Principi in his office before coming, knowing that veterans, Filipino and Filipino-American veterans are an important part of our constituency. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate member of the cabinet to come and the Secretary was kind enough then – almost two and a half years ago to carve out a week of his schedule – because it takes that coming here and going back and spending a couple of days -- to demonstrate his personal commitment and President Bush’ commitment to this relationship. (Power interruption during the Ambassador’s introduction of Secretary Principi.)

Applause

Secretary Principi: Thank you. Thank you very much, and thank you, Mr. Ambassador. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is, indeed, a high privilege to join with my colleagues in the Presidential delegation to represent President Bush at the inauguration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It’s an honor to congratulate the President and to add the President’s best wishes on her mission of service to the Philippine people.

I would like to introduce the members of our delegation:

Certainly, Ambassador Frank Ricciardone. When President Bush has an important mission, he calls on Ambassador Ricciardone and his presence here in the Philippines is evidence of the importance that our President, President Bush, places on the United States relationship with the Filipino people.

Susan Ralston -- a Filipino-American -- working in the highest levels of the White House for President Bush.

James Cain -- a prominent businessman and lawyer and very, very close friend to the President.

Admiral Thomas Fargo, who has returned to his command. Admiral Fargo, of course, is our Pacific Commander, one of our pre-eminent military officers in the United States.

Mr. George Drysdale, a name familiar with many of you -- a prominent businessman and philanthropist to many charitable causes here in the Philippines.

Neil McCoy, a prominent and popular entertainer in the United States and a Filipino-American, a man of Filipino descent.

Maryles Casto, a Filipino-American, a very, very successful businesswoman from San Francisco.

And, Jeff Eubanks, of course, our Deputy Protocol Officer at the State Department.

The people of the United States greatly value our relationship with the people of the Philippines. Our history has been intertwined for over a century. Our relationship was solidified 60 years ago by the courage and the tenacity of the Filipino people in the face of a worldwide attack on the values of democracy. That friendship has stood the test of time. It is our hope and desire, and certainly that of President Bush, to work together to strengthen this relationship, a common commitment to the values of freedom and democracy around the world; a common interest in the economic prosperity of both of our peoples; a common commitment to the security necessary for freedom and prosperity to flourish. And the U.S. looks forward to working with President Arroyo to achieve her goals in bilateral trade, in investments, security, and in training and health care and education. President Bush and President Arroyo have a very, very close, personal bond. They are indeed, as we say in the United States, very good friends.

As the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I’m very proud that President Bush has taken more action to recognize the contribution of Filipino veterans than any American President in recent history. Under his authority, I restored the grants to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center here in Manila and will continue to make those grants to improve the quality of care that is provided to Filipino veterans residing in the Philippines. We’ve increased the access to VA health care for veterans in the United States. We’ve improved the benefit structure and delivery of benefits for veterans in the United States. We increase the disability compensation for Filipino veterans residing here in the Philippines on an annual basis.

So indeed, we will continue to work very, very closely with President Arroyo who, I know, feels very strongly about the commitment to men and women in uniform, the veterans who have served in the Philippines, to ensure that both of our governments work together to achieve the goals and the benefits that these men rightfully deserve and have earned by their courage under fire.

And again, it’s a great, great privilege to join with our delegation members in representing President Bush at this historic occasion and our deepest congratulations to the new President. We wish her well in her journey and her mission to serve the people of the Philippines. Thank you very much.

(Applause)

Q: My name is Carmencita Acosta, from “What’s On” and “Expat.” The question is for Ambassador Ricciardone. When will the Ambassador resume his duties in the Philippines on a daily basis as before? What had you been doing when you were out of the country, and what are your plans if you will resume your duties on a daily basis?

Ambassador Ricciardone: Thank you very much. I’d be glad to respond to that, although I’d like to save a longer answer for Tuesday when I meet with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. The simple answer is yes, now, I’ve resumed my duties. I’ve come back to stay. What was I doing during this period? I was working to build an organization in Iraq. There will be a U.S. embassy that actually has replaced our embassy in Manila as the third ranking embassy in size worldwide. So it was my job to organize that, to pull the people together, to get all the resources and set it up for Ambassador Negroponte to take over. That’s what I’ve been doing the past five and a half months. As to my plans – it is to continue our mission of security, prosperity and service to the benefit of our two countries, and I’ll go into greater detail on Tuesday morning, if I may.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, good morning. Mr. Principi, good morning. I’m Jimmy Gil from Channel 7. My question is for Mr. Principi. Filipino veterans of the Second World War feel that they are somewhat left behind as regards benefits. Is there anything in store for them, additional benefits? I don’t want to sound as if I’m lobbying for a group, but I believe that’s what’s usually in their minds. Are there things coming up their way? Are there things coming their way – better benefits?

Secretary Principi: Again, as I indicated, I believe that under President Bush we have dramatically improved the benefits for Filipino veterans both in the United States and here in the Philippines. Those just occurred within the last year -- that the President signed into law the legislation to enhance the benefit structure -- and we will continue to do so. We need to consolidate the gains we have made over the past year, work collectively and collaboratively with the Filipino government to see what additional benefits we can provide to the veterans. As long as I am Secretary, I’m committed to work with the Ambassador, and with President Arroyo and your Defense Minister to do what is necessary.

Q: Thank you. Mr. Ambassador…

Ambassador Ricciardone: If you want me to follow up on that question -- between Secretary Principi’s two visits in just one area, the Secretary didn’t mention it, but very specifically, out of his own agency’s budget, he has contributed two million dollars worth of equipment and maintenance to go with it and training to go with it to the Veterans Memorial Hospital here in the Philippines. It was my privilege, a year after your visit, sir, to go and cut the ribbon on the kidney dialysis center there. It was wonderful to see the smiles on the veterans’ faces there.

Q: What hospital, sir?

Ambassador Ricciardone: The Veterans Memorial Hospital of the Philippines.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, now that the interim government has taken over Iraq, how do you foresee things coming?

Ambassador Ricciardone: My confidence is even greater than it was at the outset now that the Iraqi people have their future in their own hands and feel that and are eager to take it into their hands. As we saw the other day, they willingly accepted responsibility for their own future two days early, and we were glad to give it to them. We are also going to stand behind them with our troops. We’re going to stand behind them with a very strong American Embassy that will help them with economic assistance and policy support to the extent they wish us to stand behind them with any expertise. We will be there for them. And I’m very, very pleased that Filipinos will be there as well to help Iraqis build what your country has, and what my country has: freedom and democracy.

Q: Do you feel that there’s going to be some sort of escalating down of violence or terrorism in Iraq?

Ambassador Ricciardone: I certainly hope so. We’re working for that. That’s why we have so many troops there. I would like it if we could, to keep as much focus as we can on the immediate issue at hand because I will have plenty of time with you on Tuesday morning to talk about Iraq.

Q: I’m Estrella Torres from Today newspaper. Secretary Principi, the composition of the U.S. delegation is somewhat reflective of the interests of the U.S. government. In terms of the military composition, there’s Admiral Fargo, we have you here, from the Veterans Affairs Office, which you are representing. So it reflects the common interests that you want to pursue with the Philippine government --

Secretary Principi: I’m sorry; I’m having difficulty hearing you. Could you … ?

Q: -- the composition of the U.S. delegation here, for the inauguration of President Arroyo. You have here Admiral Fargo and then you also attended the inauguration. So it also reflects the interest of the U.S. government in the Philippines in pursuing the welfare of the Filipino veterans, as well as the fight against terrorism. I’d like to know the specific interest in the fight against terrorism since Admiral Fargo was here for the inauguration. Are there specific details of the two governments’ fight against terrorism?

Secretary Principi: Clearly, both of our governments are committed to fighting terrorism. Here in the Philippines, we are certainly very supportive of the efforts of President Arroyo to bring a stable peace to the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, to work with President Arroyo to forge a peace with the MILF and other organizations, and to stand side-by-side in the war on terrorism, so that freedom can flourish and economic prosperity for the people can grow. It can only grow when there’s stability and investment and bilateral trade so that we can, indeed, achieve our goals to improve the lives of our people. So, security in the Philippines means security in the United States. It means that our countries can work together to increase the level of trade and investment, which will ultimately benefit the people. And that’s what President Bush wants to do and that is to work very, very closely so that we can achieve our mutual goals in the future.

Ambassador Ricciardone: Absolutely on point as always, Mr. Secretary. I might add -- having been in close discussions with the White House about the composition of the delegation -- it really does capture President Bush’ interests in this country.

Number one: the people who are here are close personal friends of the President. These are personally selected people by President Bush. He feels a personal connection to not just President Arroyo but to the Philippines.

Number two: as you’ve put your finger on, and as the Secretary has pointed out, we are concerned about the mutual security interests of our country. But the delegation captures something more. I’ve said since the first time I appeared with the press here that our mission here as the embassy, is focused on security, prosperity and service.

Our mutual security in the war on terrorism: yes, Admiral Fargo has been an important friend of the Philippines for that and the Secretary for Veterans Affairs, but prosperity is also important. Promoting trade and investment, and on this delegation you have two of America’s leading business people: Mr. Jim Cain and also, George Drysdale, who is from a multi-generational American family doing business in the Philippines and who is one of the leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce. And by the way, immediately after this, the Secretary is going to be meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines. So prosperity is a second thing.

Finally, service. Service means people services -- visas, visits back and forth- cultural ones. And on the delegation also – I’m sorry, I neglected to mention also another businesswoman, Ms. Mary Angeles Casto, who’s also here representing prosperity and travel back and forth between our countries.

And finally, with Neil McCoy here, we have a great embodiment of the fundamental bedrock of our relationship and that’s our people. We have a mix of Americans who live in the Philippines – a hundred and something thousand – and a couple of million Filipinos who live in the U.S. and then, multi-generational Americans who trace their origins to the Philippines. And not only is Susan Ralston one of them, but Neil McCoy, one of our great country singers -- who might actually sing a line or two for you if you’re nice -- is also a part of the delegation. So this captures America, this captures the White House view of just the right people to send to the Philippines.

Q: This is the last question, Sir. Did the U.S. Government sign a bilateral immunity agreement with the Government of Iraq regarding the grant of immunity to U.S. soldiers committing war crimes under the 1998 Rome Statute? Can you confirm if the U.S. Government did sign?

Ambassador Ricciardone: I cannot confirm that. It’s possible that that’s happened, but they’ve only been in office less than two days. Clearly, there are a lot of agreements to be established in our bilateral relationship. That would be one topic I’m sure that would be of interest, but the very first thing was for Ambassador John Negroponte to arrive and present his credentials. I understand -- if I heard the news correctly this morning -- he’s done that, right? He’s just done that, so the Article 98 issue, among others, would be on the agenda, I’m sure.

Q: So, if you haven’t signed this, are there any prospects of prosecuting all those U.S. soldiers who committed abuses against the Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison detention center? What are the prospects?

Ambassador Ricciardone: I’ll answer that briefly, but again, let’s go into greater detail if you want on Iraq and those issues on Tuesday. The simple answer is that status of forces in Iraq is a vitally important legal and bilateral, multilateral issue with the government of Iraq. We’ve got a wonderful 15 to 0 vote on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, that provides international legal authority for those multi-national forces to be there, including Filipino forces. So, we all have the legal protection that we need. When it gets down to working out the details, administrative details, those are the subjects of negotiations with the sovereign government of Iraq, and I have every confidence we’ll get that right.

Q: Thank you so much.

Q: Good morning Mr. Secretary. Good morning Mr. Ambassador. I’m Harold Geronimo from RPN 9, Channel 9. The question is for both of you. I’m just particularly interested in your assessment of the inaugural speech of the President. I know she spoke in Tagalog in some parts of the speech. Basically, can we get your assessment as a foreign observer of the inaugural speech of the President? She outlined her 10-point agenda for a six-year term. And second, can we get your assessment or views on the inauguration yesterday, as a guest in the country?

Secretary Principi: Well, I feel very, very privileged -- along with our delegation members -- to have been at the inauguration. It was a beautiful ceremony in Cebu. I’ve read parts of her speech, and I believe she laid out a very ambitious 10-point plan to improve the lives of the Filipino people in so many different areas in training and education, in health care, in economic prosperity, and I believe she has the will, and certainly the desire to do what is necessary to achieve her goals. I applaud the steps that she has laid out, and I’m confident that with the support of the people, and those in her government, that the goals will be achieved.

Ambassador Ricciardone: Thank you very much. Again, I’d be glad to go into greater detail if you want to do some question and answer on Tuesday, but first off, I did read the speech, which is a strong and convincing platform. What matters of course, as the President herself is the first to say, is not how fine her speeches are – because she does give fine speeches -- but also the follow up. Not just on her part, but also from the part of the loyal opposition and all the branches of government. That is going to be the real test. Will the Philippines seize this opportunity, having just elected a new President? Will all the branches of government, will the opposition as well as the politicians on the President’s side, will they all stand together behind this program to make the Philippines as great as Americans have always believed the Philippines can be and should be? You have the faith and the confidence of the United States of America. Her speech is something we can get behind and back up. We’re hoping the Filipino people will, and the three branches of government also will, as will the opposition. We look forward to working with the opposition as well as with her. We always do: we have excellent relationships with the Senators and Congressmen from the parties that have opposed the Administration, and we hope to continue that.

Q: Just a follow up, Mr. Ambassador. So, you mean that it’s important for her to prioritize unity and reconciliation in her government?

Ambassador Ricciardone: It’s not for the American ambassador to set the national priorities of the Philippines. The President has articulated those priorities very persuasively to us foreigners and her priorities made great sense. What we would like to do as allies of the Philippines is roll up our sleeves and work with her and her administration, and the Congress, and the Senate, the Courts and help her succeed; help the Philippines succeed. That’s what the United States has pledged to do.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, a local paper recently published that at this point the U.S. Government wants to reestablish the U.S. military bases in the Philippines. Do you have any knowledge of this? Is it true or would you deny it?

Ambassador Ricciardone: I do have knowledge of this. It’s nonsense. It’s a famous old Filipino story that I get asked in just about every press conference by someone, “Are you going to do it?” Some people may want them to be reestablished. Others don’t want them to be reestablished. Either way, we have no plan or interest in establishing bases in the Philippines. Those days are gone. That’s an old world that is gone forever. Don’t need them. Don’t want them. We do want to continue what we’re doing in training together so our soldiers would be more capable in acting in contingencies around the world; that we do want to do. Bases? Nope, it’s not going to happen.

Q: I’m Jim Gomez of the Associated Press. During the visit of Admiral Fargo in the South, in Zamboanga City, I think, over the weekend, he mentioned the problem of – he expressed concern over reports of the Jemaah Islamiyah training activities in the South, and he went on to say that he would discuss this concern with Philippine security officials. Can you elaborate on this concern, and how does the U.S. Government want this government to tackle that problem?

Ambassador Ricciardone: Again, I’m very conscious of our time, and the fact that we have our presidential delegation here only for a brief period. They’re going immediately after this to the AmCham luncheon, and then we’re having them to our Embassy as guests of honor for our Fourth of July Independence Day celebration, which we’re celebrating on the first of July. I’d be glad to go into that question and others in greater on Tuesday. Suffice to say I heard in the President’s speech that she’s interested in, again, concentrating on the problems of Mindanao. There too, we’re going to stand with her both in terms of improving the effectiveness of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in dealing with people who insist on bombing and murdering, on the one hand. On the other hand, we very much credit her approach of going for economic development and education. We’re going to support economic development in Mindanao as elsewhere in the Philippines. We’re going to support her in improving education in Mindanao as elsewhere in the Philippines. We think these are the keys, along with improving the capabilities of the Armed Forces, to getting things right in Mindanao. We congratulate the Armed Forces for the successes that they’ve had as well the police against the Jemaah Islamiyah in recent months.

Q: My last question. I’m Lois Calderon of Business World. With the arrival of Admiral Fargo, there had been speculation that there could be a possible transfer of U.S. troops from Okinawa, Japan as part of the repositioning of the military presence of America in the Asian region. Would the transfer of the U.S. troops from Japan be possible?

Ambassador Ricciardone: No. I don’t expect that would happen, if what you’re talking about is the permanent transfer or basing of U.S. troops here. I don’t believe that’s in the cards. We’re not asking for that. Don’t expect that. Don’t plan that. We do very much benefit from training with Filipino troops. That is of mutual benefit, we understand. I visited many training deployments of U.S. Marines and others here, and it’s great to see our forces working together. The Filipino forces give me to understand that they benefit from it and enjoy it. Certainly the American forces that come here enjoy it. It’s all in the Visiting Forces Agreement signed in a previous administration. That Agreement has proved its wisdom. Both countries are benefiting. The Marines love to come here from Okinawa from time to time in smaller or greater numbers for a few weeks at a time. I expect that will continue, but I do not expect the re-stationing or moving of American troops from Okinawa to the Philippines.

Q: For Secretary Principi. I’m Joyce Panares from Manila Standard. You have consistently mentioned that you are also interested in furthering economic ties between the United States and the Philippines. How does Washington intend to address the minor glitches in the economic ties between the two countries, including the 300 or more Philippine products that were not allowed to enter the United States, and the problem on the American telecommunication carriers? You recently had a row with our local communication carriers.

Secretary Principi: Again, the United States is working very, very closely with the Philippine government on a broad array of economic initiatives in assistance to the Philippines. Many of the recent legislations enacted here: e-commerce, optical media act; in all of these legislative achievements, we have done what we can to support the government of the Philippines. We will continue to work through the obstacles that impede direct investment in the Philippines. But keep in mind that the Philippines is one of America’s most important trading partners, and vice versa. Imports to the United States; $3.4 billion dollars in direct investment last year, and $18 billion dollars in trade between our countries. We just need to continue to build upon those successes and work through the issues. President Arroyo has laid out, again, in her plan the steps that she wants to take to be able to improve the bilateral trade and economic development of both countries.

Moderator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, this will conclude our press conference time today. Thank you for your interest and thank you for coming. Thank you, Mr. Secretary and thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for taking part in it.

 

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