DFA ON MEDIA REPORTS RE US-RP RELATIONSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 005098

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PINS RP
SUBJECT: DFA ON MEDIA REPORTS RE US-RP RELATIONSHIP


Classified By: A/DCM Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Acting Foreign Secretary Edsel Custodio called in
Charge d'Affaires Jones to DFA on November 2 to receive an
aide memoire (full text in para 6) regarding recent media
reports purportedly based on alleged US Embassy documents
that the GRP believes are "aggravating political tensions and
deepening political diversions in the Philippines." CDA
acknowledged that such reports possibly could create
political tensions here and promised to report the aide
memoire's contents to Washington. He said that the media
reports conveyed a distorted picture of the US' relationship
with the Philippines and with its political leadership and
did not reflect the policies or perceptions of the USG. He
added, however, that since there was an ongoing criminal
investigation related to the apparent theft of USG classified
information, the Embassy would not comment on individual
reports, even to deny them. He noted that he would describe
the important nature of our bilateral relationship and
cooperation between our two governments in a November 3
speech to the combined Rotary Clubs of Manila, and added that
upcoming visits by USAID Assistant Administrator Kunder and
EAP DAS John would provide further evidence of our continued
cooperation.


2. (C) CDA urged the GRP to keep the focus on our
substantive agenda, with which Secretary Custodio agreed.
Along these lines, he congratulated the GRP for the capture
of leaders of the Rajah Solaiman Movement on October 26, and
urged continued close cooperation on counterterrorism. He
expressed appreciation for the reservations about the impact
on trade that the GRP had expressed during the deliberations
on the UNESCO cultural diversity convention. He encouraged
the GRP to speak out at the WTO and with the EU for greater
liberalization of agricultural trade, which would be in the
interest of the Philippines. He requested GRP consider
co-sponsorship of the designation by the 1267 Committee of
three individual Abu Sayyaf Group members, and requested a
decision by November 4, noting that emboffs have already
discussed this issue in depth with the Philippine
Anti-Terrorism Task Force.


3. (C) Custodio expressed special concern about recent
articles in the "Tribune" that had included negative comments
about President Arroyo allegedly made by Foreign Secretary
Romulo to an Embassy poloff in October 2004 and in the
Philippine Daily Inquirer allegedly linking former President
Ramos to coup plots. CDA acknowledged the seriousness of
such allegations, noted that he had already requested to meet
with former President Ramos, and encouraged Secretary Romulo
directly to deny such reports about his alleged remarks.



4. (U) To journalists gathered outside the Secretary's
suite after the meeting, CDA reiterated the important nature
of our bilateral relationship, and highlighted the upcoming
visits as opportunities further to advance our substantive
agenda.


5. (C) Embassy proposes to respond to the aide memoire with
the following diplomatic note:

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its
compliments to the Department of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of the Philippines and has the honor to reiterate
the importance the Government of the United States places on
its alliance and partnership with the Republic of the
Philippines, as well as on valued relationships with
political leaders and governmental officials of the Republic
of the Philippines.


6. (C) Text of aide memoire
Begin quote

The Department of Foreign Affairs has asked the Embassy of
the United States of America to this meeting because of the
strong desire of the Philippine Government to have these
matters clarified.

The Philippine Government intends to act on these matters,
and would like to do so only after having gathered the
appropriate facts and information.

A number of media reports have made certain claims and
allegations on what appears to be policies and perceptions of
the United States Government with regard to the Philippine
and its leadership. These media reports cite U.S. Embassy
reports as basis.

The claims and allegation that have been made are a source of
grave concern for the Philippine Government in general, and
its desire to maintain friendly and harmonious relations with
the United States Government, in particular.
These claims and allegations are also contributing to further
aggravating political tensions and deepening political
diversions in the Philippines.

The Philippine Government is interested in ascertaining if
these claims and allegations are true, in whole or in part,
and if these are reflective of the current policy of the
United States Government with regard to the Philippine
Government and with regard to the relations between the
Philippines and the United States.

The Department of Foreign Affairs would appreciate receiving
the views of the U.S. Embassy on these matters.
end quote


Jones