ADVOCATING AN ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM STATEMENT

UNCLAS MANILA 004509 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, PM, S/CT, AND EAP/MTS USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (LAWLESS/TOOLAN/BAILEY) JOINT STAFF/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM RP SUBJECT: ADVOCATING AN ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM STATEMENT CONDEMNING NORTH KOREA REF: A. STATE 178680 ¶B. MANILA 4344 ¶C. MANILA 4312 ¶1. (U) Acting Political Counselor joined Australian Charge d'Affaires for an October 27 demarche on Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Executive Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Charles Jose to request that the Philippines support a statement condemning the North Korean nuclear test at the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Support Group in Indonesia. ¶2. (SBU) Jose noted that both President Arroyo and Foreign Secretary Romulo had made strong public statements regarding SIPDIS the North Korean test, but said the DFA was still holding internal consultations regarding the upcoming meeting in Batam. He promised to take the US and Australian views into account during these discussions. Jose stated he would head the Philippine delegation for the November 1-3 talks in Indonesia. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm KENNEY