Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: Muralla corner Recoletos Sts., Intramuros, Manila Fax: 527-7534 Website: http://www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp Author: Brenda Piquero Tuazon RP GETTING CHOPPERS, OTHER US MILITARY AID Clinton Airs Commitment WHITE HOUSE, Washington, D.C. (Via PLDT) - United States President Bill Clinton, noting the shift of international terrorism operations to Southeast Asia from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Indian sub-continent, yesterday committed to President Estrada that the United States will help upgrade the police and military capability of the Philippines to fight terrorism and drug smuggling. The US military assistance offer was presented to President Estrada at the beginning of the two leaders' discussion here. Together with investment offers confirmed by a league of American businessmen, it could be the crowning jewel of Estrada's 10day working visit to the US. Emerging from the Oval Office, Estrada, who looked more than pleased over the result of his meeting with the US leader, read a brief statement before members of the foreign media on the coverage of the range of issues he discussed with Clinton. In their meeting, the two presidents reaffirmed the importance of the democratic alliance of the Philippines and the United States whose historical, political, and economic ties have withstood the test of time and distance. The US military commitment is perceived by RP-US defense analysts as the first giant step to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Estrada hailed Clinton's commitment as "a shining moment of RP-US relations," adding that it was America's way of putting a premium on the democratic and historical alliance between the two governments. He said he was more than happy, citing the significance of the US commitment that came not as a result of "talking points on bilateral issues across negotiating tables" but as an expression of defense cooperation and mutual respect between two allies. The military package to the Philippines is estimated to initially cost $105 million. The Pentagon also committed appropriate funds to support the anti-drugs operations launched by the Estrada administration. The Philippines, given its wide shoreline that is bigger than that of the US, is one of the transhipment points in international drug smuggling. While admitting that the defense cooperation issue was in his shopping list mainly to modernize the AFP, Presiden Estrada said that what the US committed to the Philippines in military equipment and hardware "was more than what I came here for." The US remains the Philippines' strongest military ally and its largest trading partner. Among the military equipment for immediate delivery to the Philippine government are eight UH-1H "Huey" helicopters for the Philippine Air Force, 100 military trucks, one navy vessel, and other military armaments. Prior to Estrada's visit to the Philippines, US defense officials led by Defenses Secretary William Cohen had been holding discussions with RP defense authorities led by Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado on how the US can help upgrade RP's defense capability. Their discussions were a follow-up of an earlier offer made by Clinton to Estrada to modernize the AFP when they met last year during the 7th Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Auckland, New Zealand. Cohen assured Estrada of continuing RP-US defense cooperation and continuing appropriate funds needed to strengthen the security requirements of the Philippines in relation to its campaign agaisnt international terrorism and drug smuggling. RP-US defense analysts saaid the US military commiment is a big boost to the AFP modernization plan after the two-year-old Asian financial crisis set back the Philippine government's ambitious 15-year P331- million program to raise the defense capability of its Armed Forces. The US commitment was supported by official documents showing the movement of international terrorism. White House and Pentagon officials noted the shift of international terrorism activities as early as 1995 when police authorities raided the hideout in Manila of the New York World Trade Center bomber Ahmed Ramsey Yousef. Before that, Yousef planted a bomb in a Philippine Airlines aircraft enroute to Tokyo, Japan. The bomb exploded near Japan, killing one Japanese. Yousef has also been to Camp Abubakar and has close links with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf. Camp Abubakar, the main MILF stronghold together with 45 other MILF satellite camps were overrun by the Philippine military at the height of ans offensive ordered by President Estrada. Omana Bin Laden, a multi-millionaire reportedly residing in Afghanistan and listed as the most wanted terrorist in the US with a $5-million price on his head, has reportedly been funding terrorist organizations operating in Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Following his meeting with President Clinton at the White House, Estrada addressed the Fil-Am Foundation and Fil-Am communities at the JW Marriott Hotel here in Washington where he aired his gratitude to the US military commitment in behalf of his people. In his address, Estrada thanked Clinton for his concern in his administration's campaign against international terroism and other transnational crimes as he pointed to the importance of US government gave to RP-US relations. During the meeting between President Estrada and members of his official delegation with President Clinton and other US officials, including Defense Secretary William Cohen and National Security Adviser Sandy Burger, the Filipino leader received commendation for his deft handling of the hostage crisis in Mindanao and his commitment to bring lasting peace and development to the South despite the armed threat posed by separatist groups. US Undersecretary for Global Affairs Frank Loy praised the President for his "bold and courageous handling of the hostage situation." Loy lauded Mr. Estrada for both the extra care he showed to ensure the safety of hostages as well as the strength he applied to resolve the situation when it was needed. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens