AMBASSADOR'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 002113

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP, EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BM RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY
ROMULO

Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action message -- see para. 8.


2. (C) SUMMARY. Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo intends to
focus on Burma and regional counterterrorism when the
Philippines takes the chair of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, and is optimistic about peace prospects with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He hopes to discuss these
and other issues via telephone with Secretary Rice prior to
his May 28 meetings with the Non-Aligned Movement. END
SUMMARY.


3. (C) Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo in a private
May 18 breakfast with the Ambassador said he intends to use
his potential June visit to Burma to push the road map for
democracy. He also plans to put Burma and regional
counterterrorism cooperation high on the agenda after the
Philippines becomes chair of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July. Romulo will be meeting with
the Non-Aligned Movement on May 28 in Kuala Lumpur, and would
like to make productive use of this forum to discuss these
issues.


4. (C) Romulo expressed optimism over the GRP-Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) peace process. He said negotiations
were moving in the right direction and hoped that USAID could
provide additional assistance to the MILF in advance of a
comprehensive peace agreement. Ambassador said the USG would
look at ways to be helpful in the process.


5. (C) Romulo said President Arroyo's recent meetings with
Senate President Drilon and other lawmakers went well.
President Arroyo continues to push the Philippine Senate very
hard for passage of anti-terrorism legislation. Romulo
suggested the Embassy continue to lobby quietly its Senate
contacts to pass the bill.


6. (C) Romulo said he would like to discuss all these issues
with Secretary Rice and could fly to Washington at any time
convenient to the Secretary. Ambassador noted that
scheduling a face-to-face meeting could prove difficult, and
offered to pass this information to the Secretary for him.
Romulo then suggested he could brief the Secretary
telephonically prior to his May 28 meetings with the
Non-Aligned Movement. Romulo noted he could call at anytime
convenient to the Secretary's schedule, including weekends,
and said he knew her busy schedule would only allow a short
call.


7. (C) Comment: We see a short telephone conversation
between the Secretary and Romulo as useful in keeping the GRP
focused on key U.S. interests, including Burma and
counterterrorism. Romulo speaks excellent English.


8. (C) Action Request: Please advise whether a telephone
conversation between Secretary Romulo and Secretary Rice is
possible and what date/time would be appropriate.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/

Kenney