AMBASSADOR ENGAGES FOREIGN SECRETARY ON BILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002364 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL RP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ENGAGES FOREIGN SECRETARY ON BILATERAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Secretary Romulo invited Ambassador for a private breakfast October 10. In the course of the meal, they discussed a broad range of topics, including ASEAN, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Account, U.S. military in the Philippines, and the Philippine peace process with Muslim insurgents. On the ASEAN Charter, Romulo said that the Philippines remained committed to pushing human rights in Burma, after the Philippine Senate's ratification of the Charter. Romulo said the Philippines was excited about co-hosting the ASEAN Regional Forum disaster relief exercise in 2009 and was devoting key personnel to the endeavor. Highlighting the visit of Finance Secretary Teves to Washington to meet with Millennium Challenge Corporation officials, Romulo stressed that the Philippines continued its preparations to submit a compact proposal early in 2009. Romulo emphasized the Arroyo Administration's support for strong U.S.-Philippine military relations, touting the involvement of top government officials during recent discussions over the presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines. Regarding the stalled peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Ambassador stressed that it was critical that the government end the fighting and return to the negotiating table soon. END SUMMARY. STRENGTHENING ASEAN FROM WITHIN -------------- ¶2. (C) Secretary Romulo said that the Philippine Senate's 16-1 vote Oct. 7 in favor of the ASEAN Charter reflected the government's desire to influence the organization on key issues such as Burma, while at the same time realizing that change would have to come from the inside. Being the "odd man out" on charter ratification would not have served Philippine interests when it came to pushing ASEAN on topics that the organization had been hesitant to address, such as Burma's human rights problems and need for democratization, Romulo said. The Ambassador commented that when President Arroyo signed the ratification, she could use the occasion to make a strong statement on the importance of respecting human rights, which Romulo concurred was an excellent suggestion. Turning to the ASEAN Regional Forum disaster relief exercise planned for May 2009 in the Philippines, Romulo said the government was eager to host the event, had assigned top personnel to participate in planning, and hoped that the Australian Status of Forces Agreement would be approved so the Australians could play a larger role in the multilateral exercise. REFUTING CRITICS OF U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador thanked Romulo for the Arroyo Administration's support during recent media and POLITICAL scrutiny of the role of U.S. military forces in the Philippines. Romulo said the October 2 trip by key Philippine Senate and Congressional leaders to Zamboanga to meet with, and be briefed by, U.S. forces had been a tremendous success, and he praised the role of Visiting Forces Commission head, Undersecretary Edilberto Adan, in leading the visit. Romulo said the delegation, which included opposition Senator Rodolfo Biazon and four congressmen, came away from the trip with a better understanding of the role that U.S. forces play in counterterrorism efforts, and with renewed confidence that U.S. Forces were fully adhering to the requirements of the Visiting Forces Agreement. Romulo underscored that the coordinated initiative by the Embassy and government to inform legislators and the media had been very productive in refuting accusations that the U.S. military was establishing bases in the Philippines. CORRUPTION CONCERNS AND MCC -------------- ¶4. (C) Turning to the Millennium Challenge Account, Romulo said the visit of Finance Secretary Teves to Washington to meet with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer Ambassador John Danilovich was essential to prepare the Philippines to present their case for a compact early in 2009. The Ambassador stressed that corruption indicators still were not in the Philippines' favor and that more had to be done to combat corruption. Romulo stated that Arroyo government was taking steps to address the issue that he hoped would help the Philippines pass the MCC corruption indicators. KEEPING PEACE HOPES ALIVE -------------- MANILA 00002364 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) With regard to the Philippine government's peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Romulo said he hoped an upcoming report from the Catholic bishops and Muslim ulamas would start the process moving forward. The Ambassador emphasized that the USG was worried that the Philippine military did not have a concrete end in sight to the fighting and that the government might push the MILF into a situation where they felt isolated. Romulo responded that he thought the Malaysian-led international monitoring team could be useful in helping keep the dialogue open between the two sides. The Ambassador said that the number of displaced civilians in Mindanao was of great concern and that the government should focus on reducing their suffering and finding a way to get past the fighting and back to the negotiating table. Romulo agreed and said that a primary objective of the government needed to be infrastructure and economic development in poorer areas of the Philippines to better integrate separatist groups. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Always engaging, Romulo touched on many areas. He obviously was seeking USG perspective on the Philippines prospect for inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account, which reflected President Arroyo's continued focus on maximizing the U.S.-Philippine assistance relationship. At the same time, Romulo's candid assessment that criticism of the U.S. military in the Philippines often stems from various parties wanting attention in the form of financial assistance underscores the delicate POLITICAL environment in the Philippines. KENNEY