*EPF105 07/28/2003
Transcript: U.S. Supports Philippine's Macpagal-Arroyo Government
(Amb. Ricciardone press conference in Manila July 27) (3460)

The United States "fully" supports "the legitimate, civilian government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," says the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone.

Ricciardone held a press conference July 27 at the U.S. Embassy in Manila after it was reported that Philippine police had arrested Ramon Cardena, who had served as an aide to former President Joseph Estrada. Cardena allegedly stored weapons in his home and was planning a military mutiny.

The ambassador told reporters that the United States has "no reason to believe that there is a real threat to the Arroyo Government.... There is every sign that this is a small group of men who are evidently determined to push some political point or other."

Ricciardone said the embassy had released a message to Americans living in the Philippines informing them that a "group of dissident military officers has sealed off the Glorietta, Ayala Center area in Makati City," but that "[n]o violence has been reported." It advised Americans to "remain calm and alert," and said that "The Government of the Republic of the Philippines has stated that it is in control of the situation."

In his statement, the ambassador said the United States recognizes "the determination of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deal forthrightly with the valid and serious issues they have identified within the Armed Forces of the Philippines."

"The United States will continue to support the President, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, all officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines who are committed to the cause of reform and to a strong, democratic Republic of the Philippines that upholds the rule of law," he said.

Following is a transcript of Ricciardone's remarks, as released by the U.S. Embassy in Manila:

(begin transcript)

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR FRANCIS RICCIARDONE
Manila, July 27, 2003

I would like to read the statement that was released in Washington a few hours ago: "No one should be under any doubt that we fully support the legitimate, civilian government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As President Bush stated during the May 19 State Visit of President Arroyo: 'The relationship between the Philippines and the United States is stronger today than at any time in our recent history.' At this time we have no reason to believe that there is a real threat to the Arroyo Government."

I have been in touch several times throughout the past several days with President Macapagal-Arroyo, and her senior national security advisors, including the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. From our conversations I can emphasize that last line of the Washington statement: We see no real threat to the legitimate Government of the Philippines at this time.

We have also read the statement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with great attention and care. The United States stands fully behind her in this crisis. We salute her determination to resolve the situation peacefully and with all due patience.

We also recognize the determination of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deal forthrightly with the valid and serious issues they have identified within the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The United States will continue to support the President, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, all officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines who are committed to the cause of reform and to a strong, democratic Republic of the Philippines that upholds the rule of law.

I will add one other point in anticipation of your questions. The embassy did put out what we call a 'warden message' earlier in the day, and we have a website update of that. The warden message read -- this is advice to U.S. citizens living in the Philippines -- 'Remain calm and alert. A group of dissident military officers has sealed off the Glorietta, Ayala Center area in Makati City. No violence has been reported. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines has stated that it is in control of the situation. Remain in your residence and avoid going out in public gatherings.' That's what we issued a few hours ago. We're adding a new line: 'We recommend that Americans avoid the area around Glorietta shopping mall in Makati until the problem is resolved.' That's all I have for you, and I'd be glad to take a few questions relating to United States' outlook on this.

Q: Sir, can you specify the kind of support the Arroyo government can expect from the U.S.?

A: The kind of support I just stated. We are making it very clear to anyone in the Armed Forces or any other sectors of society, whether politicians or anyone else, that the United States' relationship with the country is dependent on it having a government that is rooted in the rule of law, not mob rule, not unlawful actions as the President has characterized them. So that anyone attempting to influence this government, much less take it over, and I don't believe that is the case here, needs to understand that if they want the United States on the side of reform and anti-corruption efforts or any other efforts, they must play within the law and work with the lawful government of the Philippines.

Q: How about asking the members of the American Chamber not to pull out their investments in light of what happened?

A: Well, you know, the people who undertake actions like these have to calculate the consequences for their country. Evidently they profess to be patriotic and care about their country, but what they have now done is cast their country in the worst possible light. People around the world are now wondering about the stability of the Philippines. As the American Ambassador here I don't wonder about the stability of the Philippines. I think the Philippines is a country and a culture that is deeply committed to the rule of law, that is committed to human rights, that is committed to democratic values. I cannot conceive of a coup, for example, words I've heard today, even being attempted here, and I don't believe that is what is attempted here. So we are confident still that the situation will be resolved in a lawful way and in a way that does not involve violence.

We hope those people will think about precisely the question you raised today. What about foreign perceptions of the Philippines as a democracy and as a safe place for foreigners to visit and as a safe place for foreigners to invest. The people who have done this need to think about what they are doing. And consider how the world will see what they are doing, and I hope they will conclude, after thinking carefully that the best way is to stand down from any kind of violent confrontation and to work within the law and political processes of your democracy.

Q: Yes, Mr. Ambassador, we are all optimistic that this will resolve peacefully, but if violence will erupt, will the U. S. Government intervene and enter into the picture? That is my one question and I have another question later on.

A: I will avoid hypotheticals, especially ones like that. That is a scenario that is the least likely of all. There is every sign that this is a small group of men who are evidently determined to push some political point or other. Having spoken with the President, with the Chief of Staff, I have every confidence in their determination to resolve this peacefully and effectively using all the patience necessary to get this done that way.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, you have talked with Ambassador Pierce and Ambassador Diamond. Can you tell us their insights and views about the situation?

A: I'm not going to speak for other governments or Ambassadors here. Of course the diplomatic community is concerned about the safety of foreign nationals here as well as our Filipino friends. And it is logical to be concerned. I think at the moment we are all gratified that there hasn't been any violence, there hasn't been any shooting. The Armed Forces of the Philippines loyal to the Government have apparently cordoned off the area where these few rogue junior officers are holed up in a hotel. But naturally you can expect the diplomatic community to stay in close touch about the safety of foreigners here. And again, as an American here, I do not feel under threat by this event. Those rogue officers, I think, let the foreigners out of the hotel that they occupied today without any problem, and that is a good sign in itself.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, you mentioned you met with the President and of course top military officials and earlier you made mention of the valid concerns. Are there any specific concerns which the United States wants addressed in relation to the concerns of this military officers?

A: The phrase "valid concerns," those are the words of the President herself. And it is up to her; she is the Commander in Chief; and she will determine which concerns are valid and which are not. As the ally of the Philippines, a major ally of the Philippines, we are concerned for the strength of this country and its democracy and protecting its citizens against terrorism. Those are our valid concerns because you are our ally and we want our allies to be strong. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is a partner of the United States; the country is a partner of the United States. The Armed Forces are a particular operational partner. We have announced major training and equipment programs to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines to grow stronger. There are internal reforms that I know the new Chief of Staff has discussed and I know is determined to deal with, with the full backing of the President. But it is not for the United States Ambassador to talk about those things. I think the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander and the President are quite good at describing what their plans are.

Q: Just a follow up, Mr. Ambassador: Of course with the President's visit to Washington recently has, I think, fortified the relationship between the Philippines and the United States, and you have seen the reforms undertaken by the President during your tenure. I think the basic questions is that since the Americans are the number one major investor here in the Philippines do you think there will be a "wait and see" attitude at this time?

A: There are over 240 companies in the American Chamber of Commerce here and many more American companies do business with the Philippines. This is a country that has numerous attractions for American business people, and American tourists for that matter. It is the bad news that keeps coming out of the country like this, quite frankly, that deters people from investing more, that deters people from visiting. Those of us who know the country, who live here, see that there is no warmer place in terms of welcome for Americans and other foreigners. Not just for investment but for visits, for tourism, to come as students, to come as business people, to come as diplomats. That hasn't changed and those 240 or more American companies in the Am Cham, some of whom have been here for a century, are determined to stay and are with this country for the long has---provided situations like this are resolved peacefully and provided the Republic comes out all the stronger for it, as I believe it can under the leadership of President Macapagal-Arroyo. You know, I think you'll find business people and tourists sustaining their interest in the Philippines and coming back, but this has to come out right and it will take time, because this is certainly a setback.

Q: Yes, Good Afternoon, Sir. How will it affect the investors' confidence in the country? My second question would be do you believe there is enough basis or enough reason for the valid grievances of the AFP?

A: On the question of investor confidence, I think I dealt with that before. You need to see what investors will do. And I think much will depend on the outcome of this, which I am confident will turn out peacefully. Because I have to believe, that if these people really are patriotic, and if any politicians that are involved with them are patriotic, they will all encourage them to stand down and do the right thing and do the lawful thing. Then you have to hope that the underlying interest in this country of investors and foreign visitors can be built back up after this setback. I have to hope and believe that. It will take some time, but the United States is there with this country and will help work to restore that. But your leaders have to take the difficult decisions to go on that course of reform. Earlier this year President Arroyo said, I think it was January 19, it was early January, that the country has "to reform or perish". That is why I keep coming back to the word "reform". I don't think she was exaggerating. As to the question of which concerns are valid about the Armed Forces of the Philippines, that is for the President, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, to determine herself, obviously in consultation with the Secretary of National Defense, her Senior National Security advisors, and most of all her appointee as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. It's a huge job and the United States is going to stand behind them in tackling it.

Q: I have actually 3 questions. First, you've mentioned about the optimism of resolving the issue patiently and peacefully. The President has issued the 5 p.m. deadline. So what do you think about it? Is that a patient move on her part to be waiting for a peaceful and patient resolution?

A: I think the President has made her terms clear, and it's not for me to comment other than to say we stand behind her and her government in resolving this. My understanding is the Government and the Armed Forces command is in contact with these people and has got lots of people of goodwill, lots of fellow officers, trying to help them understand the harm they have already done to their country, and how to avoid causing further harm to their country's reputation. I have to believe that with the President's firm determination, as evidenced in her statement, and with the patient efforts of the Chief of Staff that these young me-- they are young men, I understand, they are junior officers-- will feel that they have made whatever their point is, and will now stand down and pursue lawful means to address their grievances.

Q: This situation came at a time that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been combating the MILF, the Abu Sayyaf, addressing the issue of the terrorist threat in the Philippines, and the NPA. Don't you fear an erosion of threat and some forces taking advantage of this that will lead to a worse scenario?

A: Certainly the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been facing a variety of threats here for many years. And as allies, we've stood behind the Armed Forces of the Philippines in trying to get stronger, and to deal with the threats in appropriate and lawful ways. In fact, I say I've been in touch with the President and the leadership here over the past several days. We were not talking only about this situation. We've been talking about the peace process with the MILF. I don't know what repercussions this may have on it. But I can tell you, the President struck me as absolutely determined, as did the leadership of the Armed Forces, to see this peace process through and make it be a genuine peace and a just peace and an enduring peace for Mindanao. I know that is an important element of the legacy the President wants to establish. I have to hope that will stay on track. It's a particularly promising time, I think, for that peace process and that would certainly relieve some of the burden on the Armed Forces, and relieve much of the burden on the people of Mindanao, I believe.

Q: Sir, just a reaction. These rebel soldiers now in Makati, these young officers issued a statement. They alleged that no less than the President is behind the Davao City bombings just so they can secure military fund or the military hardware and anti-terrorist funds from America.

A: I don't believe that.

Q: Sir, how interested is Washington in these developments right now? How often do you communicate with the Washington people and how concerned is the Bush administration to these events?

A: Clearly we're quite concerned, as you see from the statement that we released. We are in constant communication with Washington. President Bush has been informed. We follow this with interest. While we see the situation precisely in the terms President Arroyo has used, and therefore as a very serious situation, we do not see it at the moment as a threat to the government of the Philippines and to Philippines' democracy. We're confident that the government and democracy will continue, but we are monitoring the situation as you can imagine, very closely.

Q: With that monitoring, would there be a re-thinking of the visit of President Bush?

A: No one has raised that question yet to me. The planning has continued throughout all last week, despite all the gossip in the newspapers about the disaffection of various officers, and this, that and the other. I can assure you that the planning for President Bush' visit here in October has been continuing all week. I'm not aware, the subject has not come up in the past 24 hours, as to whether that should be postponed.

Q: Are you recommending - a re-thinking?

A: In a worst case, if this were not a democracy anymore, which is not an alternative that I think is even conceivable, then of course, I don't think President Bush would even think of coming here. But assuming, as I do believe right now that the Government of the Philippines, the democracy of the Philippines, the Constitution of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines will all remain very much intact as they are now, maybe even stronger for having gone through this crisis successfully, I see no reason to recommend to President Bush that he stay away.

Q: You made mention that the U.S. Government is on the side of the President. You stand behind the Arroyo administration. If in case the Arroyo administration will seek assistance from the U.S. or the embassy for that matter, does this mean that you are willing to respond to whatever assistance the Philippine government or the Arroyo administration will ask?

A: I think we made clear that we're standing behind the government now. I think we take the view of most Filipinos who want their government and democracy and rule of law to stand, and do not want to see it threatened in this way or any other way. That is how we are standing with the country. If you're referring to other sorts or forms of assistance - you know, past history - this is not 1989. We think the Armed Forces of the Philippines are taking all due measures from what we can see, that they are in control of the situation, that there's no threat to the Republic, that there's no threat to the citizens outside of the Glorietta Mall area. Remember, what we're talking about is a small group of junior officers in a shopping mall - in fact, not even the whole shopping mall - in a hotel, in the shopping mall. There's no sign of any activity otherwise. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has not asked for any other sort of assistance from the United States and we're not contemplating any further involvement other than to make clear our support for this government and its President and the military leadership. With that, I think we're finished.

Thank you all very much.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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