Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANILA4346
2006-10-13 08:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manila
Cable title:  

FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES EAST ASIA ARCHITECTURE

Tags:  PREL ECIN XE RP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8177
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #4346 2860844
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 130844Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3483
INFO RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION IMMEDIATE
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 004346 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016
TAGS: PREL ECIN XE RP
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES EAST ASIA ARCHITECTURE

REF: A. STATE 171368

B. STATE 153875

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 004346

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016
TAGS: PREL ECIN XE RP
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES EAST ASIA ARCHITECTURE

REF: A. STATE 171368

B. STATE 153875

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


1. (C) In a meeting with Ambassador and DCM on October 11,
Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, speaking as a friend and
ally, sought to persuade us of the merits of U.S.
participation in the East Asia Summit. He described the EAS
as an important emerging forum, inclusive of all East Asia,
with ASEAN at its core. As a Pacific power, the U.S. should
play a major role and take advantage of the opportunities
this forum presents. Romulo quickly added that the nascent
EAS format needs work, calling the current leader-led
dialogue without agenda or preparation by senior officials "a
lot of bull." As upcoming EAS host, Romulo said the
Philippines is pressing for better preparation.


2. (C) Ambassador and DCM explained U.S. policy on the EAS,
focusing on the need to preserve and strengthen the
value-added of long-standing organizations, especially APEC.
Attempting to duplicate work on issues such as energy
security in multiple fora risked diluting and confusing
multilateral activities. Romulo said he deeply appreciated
the value of APEC, but argued that working concurrently in
different organizations will reinforce efforts, allowing each
forum to make its own contribution.

--------------
Comment
--------------


3. (C) The Philippines remains a great supporter of APEC, as
President Arroyo often expresses publicly and privately. But
despite repeated efforts, we got no traction on our vision of
complementarity with Romulo, whose view is common among
senior Philippine officials. There is concern here that the
U.S. is passing up an opportunity to be a player in an
emerging organization linking all of ASEAN with the northeast
Asian powers. Regarding Romulo's remarks on pursuing energy
security at the EAS (ref a),it will be difficult to convince
this year's EAS host to exclude energy security from EAS
discussion, given the political impact of high energy prices
in the Philippines.


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