For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 19, 2003
Fact Sheet: Announcements Related to the Visit of President Arroyo
Counterterrorism Equipment and Training: $30 million in new grant aid for equipment and training of Armed Forces of the Philippines targeted at capabilities for countering terrorist groups within Philippines.
Development Assistance to Conflict Areas: $30 million in new
bilateral development assistance for Mindanao and support for the peace
process with the MILF, as appropriate.
Establishment of Combat Engineering Unit: $25 million in new
grant assistance to train and equip a combat engineering unit and
provide other military needs in the war on terror. The engineering
unit will be able to do civic action and humanitarian projects in
conflict zones.
U.S. Military Support to Philippine Counterterrorism Operations:
Agreement to provide U.S. military support to Armed Forces of the
Philippines-led operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Support to Philippine Military Mobility: 20 UH-1H helicopters, as
they become available and funding for refurbishment and transport is
secured; an additional 10 UH-1H helicopters to be provided to ensure
sufficient spare parts.
Comprehensive Security Review: Launching of a comprehensive
review of Philippine security needs and how the United States can
best support Philippine military modernization and reform.
U.S. Defense Goods and Services: Up to $10 million in
Presidential Drawdown Authority for equipment, spare parts and
maintenance.
Major Non NATO Ally Status: Commitment to designate the
Philippines a Major Non NATO Ally (MNNA) to allow U.S. and
Philippines to work together on military research and development and
give Philippines greater access to American defense equipment and
supplies.
Reciprocal Presidential Visit: Acceptance by President Bush of
President Arroyo's invitation to visit Manila in October 2003.
Remittance Facilitation Initiative: Launching of an initiative to
facilitate and reduce transaction fees on remittances from overseas
Filipinos, which could save Filipino workers as much as an estimated
$300 million annually.
Generalized System of Preferences Benefits: Agreement for
tariff-free, GSP benefits to 8 specific products requested by the
Philippines.
Veterans Benefits:
- Commitment to support legislation extending new benefits to
veterans lawfully residing in the United States, including: full rate
service connected disability compensation; eligibility for burial at
national cemeteries and burial benefits for New Scouts; full rate
dependence and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the survivors of New
Scouts, Commonwealth Army veterans and guerrillas; and comprehensive
health care eligibility to Commonwealth Army veterans and New Scouts.
- Commitment to support reauthorization for the regional
Veterans Affairs office in Manila.
- $500,000 in medical equipment to the Veterans Memorial
Medical Center in Quezon City to improve medical care for Filipino
veterans in the Philippines.
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