AMBASSADOR ENGAGES FOREIGN SECRETARY ON MCC,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000836 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER EAIR RP BM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ENGAGES FOREIGN SECRETARY ON MCC, EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS, BURMA AND PEACE PROCESS REF: A. 07 MANILA 3881 (EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS DECLINE IN 2007) ¶B. MANILA 654 (EAP DAS: KEEP PRESSURE ON BURMA) ¶C. MANILA 706 (CIVAIR: MEETING WITH BOEING AND AVIATION CONSULTANT) Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an April 2 private breakfast, the Ambassador and Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo discussed the need for more prosecutions and convictions of the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings (EJKs),the importance of crafting a comprehensive Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, the current status of peace talks with Muslim insurgents in Mindanao, and the need to maintain pressure for democratic change in Burma. Progress on the Philippines' Civil Aviation Authority and the upcoming visit of the hospital ship USNS Mercy were also discussed. Romulo had just returned from having accompanied Philippine President Arroyo to the Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong, where Arroyo discussed the environment for American investors with Credit Suisse and other bankers, and met with Philippine overseas workers. END SUMMARY. -------------- MCC: START OF AN IMPORTANT PROCESS -------------- ¶2. (C) Warmly welcoming the recent announcement by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of Philippine eligibility to conclude a compact agreement, Foreign Minister Romulo commented that he looked forward to the arrival in May of an MCC team to begin first steps in the important and complex task of drawing up a well integrated, comprehensive agreement. Noting the Philippines' large population and wide range of needs, the Foreign Minister said that his government was cognizant that crafting an agreement was a long-term enterprise that required high-level attention on the Philippine side and a dedicated senior point of contact. He said he would reach out to his colleague, Finance Secretary Teves, who would be in charge of the compact process, to reinforce that message. Noting that the prospect of a compact agreement had already excited significant press and public attention, Secretary Romulo acknowledged the importance of managing expectations and making clear to the public that the compact is still in the planning stage, and that the arrival of an MCC delegation did not signal that a fully funded compact was immediately at hand. -------------- - COMMITMENT TO PROSECUTE EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS -------------- - ¶3. (C) The Ambassador stressed that, while the international community welcomed recent statistics indicating a significant drop in the number of newly reported extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, there was still much to do to alleviate this tenacious human rights problem. The U.S. government, Congress and human rights community were intensely focused on this issue, and while a decrease in killings was essential, the Philippine government must demonstrate zero tolerance for any such deaths. Equally important, the Philippine government needed to significantly increase its efforts in prosecuting and convicting those responsible for extrajudicial killings. The USG would continue its efforts to assist in building the capabilities of police, prosecutors and judges to deal with this and other pressing criminal justice problems, but the Philippine government needed to increase its efforts as well, such as its recent decision to station paralegal specialists with key units in Mindanao to give on-the-scene legal advice to commanders and combatants. The Foreign Secretary voiced full agreement with the Ambassador's points, stressing that the Arroyo administration was fully committed to achieving greater success in prosecutions and convictions of the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings. -------------- PRESIDENT ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PEACE PROCESS -------------- ¶4. (C) Noting that progress toward an agreement with the insurgent Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on territory and resources appeared to have hit a lull, the Ambassador reiterated the U.S. government's strong support for a lasting and comprehensive peace deal that will lead to greater stability and prosperity in Mindanao. Secretary Romulo responded that achieving a lasting peace agreement remained the highest priority of his government -- and most especially President Arroyo -- but that some work remained to be done in MANILA 00000836 002 OF 002 ironing out the thorny details of the territorial agreement, including on the issues of governance, ownership of resources, and revenue sharing. The Ambassador acknowledged the complexities inherent in the negotiations, but also strongly encouraged the Foreign Secretary to ensure that the government made clear to the MILF that it remained fully committed to negotiations and that the current temporary delay resulted from efforts to craft a constitutionally viable agreement. -------------- KEEPING PRESSURE ON BURMA -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador welcomed President Arroyo's recent strong public comments decrying the Burmese junta's refusal to allow UN monitors at a planned May referendum (ref B). It was vital to keep up pressure on the junta to make concrete moves toward democratization and allow a more open and inclusive political process. Foreign Secretary Romulo fully concurred with the Ambassador's views and said bluntly that he had work to do with his ASEAN colleagues, some of whom were urging greater economic engagement with Burma as the remedy for the junta's isolation and repression. The Foreign Secretary disagreed with this path, and pledged to stay in SIPDIS close contact with the Ambassador on this in the runup to the May constitutional referendum. -------------- AIRLINE SAFETY TOP PRIORITY -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador characterized as an important first step the recent passage and signing of a law creating a new Philippine Civil Aviation Authority, but went on to express concern that more rapid progress is needed, given that no head of the agency has yet been named, and no movement is discernible toward purchasing needed computer equipment or hiring inspectors (ref C). Secretary Romulo voiced full agreement, vowing to explore the matter further with fellow cabinet members. -------------- PLEDGE TO PREPARE FOR MERCY VISIT -------------- ¶7. (C) Secretary Romulo said that he looked forward to the upcoming visit of the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy in late May and early June. The Ambassador and Foreign Secretary discussed the ship's schedule and areas to be SIPDIS visited, and resolved to work together closely through the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate all the logistical and consular details of the visit. During a broader discussion of U.S. naval ship visits, Secretary Romulo good-naturedly reminded the Ambassador of his keen desire to visit an American aircraft carrier if one happened to transit close to the Philippines. KENNEY