FOREIGN SECRETARY'S FAREWELL DINNER FOR THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000070

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINS MOPS RP
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY'S FAREWELL DINNER FOR THE
AMBASSADOR

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


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Secretary Romulo hosted on January
11 an intimate cabinet dinner for departing Ambassador
Kenney. In a brief preliminary meeting with the Ambassador,
Romulo stressed his gratitude for strong military-to-military
relations, for U.S. disaster relief during flooding and the
recent volcano activity, and for progress made towards an MCC
compact. He stressed the importance the GRP placed on the
upcoming NPT review and his pleasure that Special
Representative Susan Burk would be arriving in a few weeks
for preparatory meetings. Romulo reiterated the GRP's
commitment to work within ASEAN to keep pressure on Burma.
DFA U/S lead negotiator with the MILF Rafael Seguis thanked
the Ambassador for U.S. support to the peace process, while
conveying his concern that a comprehensive agreement might
not be reached by the end of the Arroyo Administration.
Offering a toast to the Ambassador during a dinner which
included Secretary of Defense Bert Gonzales, Cabinet
Secretary Ermita, Finance Secretary Teves and Presidential
advisor Poblador, Romulo listed his four greatest moments as
Foreign Secretary -- and first on the list was Secretary
Clinton's recent visit. End Summary.

Tour D'Horizon
--------------


2. (C) In a brief preliminary meeting Secretary Romulo,
accompanied by U/S Seguis and A/S for North America
Yparraguire, thanked the Ambassador for her contributions and
cited improved military-to-military relations as a key
achievement. Romulo offered his gratitude for U.S. disaster
relief efforts, and expressed the Arroyo administration's
delight at progress on MCC compact negotiations. He
expressed his hope that, as the deadline nears for veterans
to apply for one-time benefits under the Filipino Veterans'
Equity Compensation program, the Embassy would reinvigorate
outreach. The Ambassador assured him we would redouble our
efforts over the next five weeks until the deadline. The
Ambassador in turn thanked the DFA Secretary for his able
leadership, and noted we particularly appreciated the GRP's
principled stance on Burma. The Ambassador reminded of our
efforts to engage the Burmese but said we would need
continued strong support from our ASEAN partners to push
Burma. We need to see some movement from the Burmese in the
right direction. Romulo agreed and assured the Ambassador
that the GRP would continue to press ASEAN colleagues to keep
the pressure on Burma. The Ambassador noted our confidence
in the Philippines' leadership of the NPT review conference,
prompting Romulo to assure her it was a high priority and
express his delight that Special Representative Burk would
travel to Manila for preparatory meetings. He also
reiterated President Arroyo's commitment to attend the
Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April.


3. (C) Turning to the peace process, U/S Seguis expressed
his government's gratitude for U.S. support for the ongoing
process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Recent talks had not been productive, and Seguis now doubted
that a comprehensive agreement could be reached before the
end of the Arroyo Administration. Nonetheless, he would
continue to engage, in the hopes of a breakthrough. The
Ambassador noted that, even in the absence of a comprehensive
agreement, current talks could lay a strong foundation for
the next Administration to build on. Moreover, talks meant
the cease-fire would remain in place. Seguis agreed, and
later told the DCM that Malaysian facilitator Othman would be
in Manila soon to consult with both sides and the
International Contact Group (UK, Japan, and Turkey, along
with international NGOs) to look for a way forward.

Greatest Hits
--------------


4. (C) During the dinner with select cabinet members,
Secretary Romulo also confided that he had invited Senator
Inouye to visit the Philippines and hoped to see the Senator
here in April. He himself planned to serve President Arroyo
until the end of the Administration and had no onward plans
after the change in Administration. In remarks to the guests
he listed his four greatest moments as Secretary, and first
among them was Secretary Clinton's recent visit.
KENNEY