*EPF203 09/02/2003
Transcript: Ambassador Says Bush To Visit the Philippines in October
(Amb. Ricciardone press briefing in Manila Aug. 29) (1350)

President Bush "looks forward" to his first state visit to the Philippines in October, says Francis Ricciardone, the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines.

The visit, Ricciardone told members of the press in Manila August 29, will "show our support for the Republic of the Philippines, for its president and its people."

Ricciardone said press reports saying the United States is getting involved in politics and the next presidential elections in the Philippines are "fantastic nonsense."

"We support Philippines democracy," Ricciardone said. "We don't hide our admiration for the President (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) ... (W)e respect a president who has carried this country forward."

Following is a transcript of Ricciardone's remarks:

(begin transcript)

Transcript of Ambassador Ricciardone's Remarks to the Media
The Pan Pacific Hotel, Manila
August 29, 2003

Q: [unclear] ... was saying in an interview with ANC yesterday that there are groups which are being supported by people in the U.S. who want the Philippine President to step down. Would you care to comment on this?

RICCIARDONE: I don't know the gentleman so this is not a personal comment, and I didn't see the comments he made on TV. I only know of them third-hand, but any suggestion that the United States is getting involved in Philippines politics or that we are giving advice to the President about what she should decide or not decide on Philippines politics is nonsense. It's fantastic nonsense. It's made up. It's exceptionally creative. It's wonderfully creative. There's nothing to it.

Q: There are also reports quoting Philippine Embassy officials in Washington. They said that there is a very big possibility that the State Visit of President Bush won't push through anymore, unless two conditions are met; one, al-Ghozi should be re-captured first, and two, the second condition was for President Arroyo to categorically state that she is not running in 2004.

RICCIARDONE: Could you tell me the source of that again? The Philippines Embassy in Washington...?

Q: Yes, they were quoting an official there.

RICCIARDONE: I certainly don't believe that anyone in the Philippines Embassy in Washington could believe such a thing because, again, it is not just nonsense; it is really creative nonsense.

Q: Are there preparations ongoing now for the State Visit?

RICCIARDONE: Yes, absolutely, I can assure you. I have been on the telephone with the White House all week long in planning the various elements of this visit, and it is going to be a great visit. It will be President Bush's first State Visit. He is looking forward to it. It is a question of how to squeeze in everything that President Bush would like to do, and all of the things that President Arroyo would like him to do here. We are planning, as normal, for a very, very nice visit here. And the reason for it is to show our support for the Republic of the Philippines, for its president and its people.

Q: Very quickly on another topic: Secretary Reyes has turned in his letter of resignation and it has been accepted by the President. Your comments on this please?

RICCIARDONE: Well, I really won't comment on Philippines politics, but I am glad to state my respect for the man. I have been working with Secretary Reyes for the year and a half, now, that I have been in the country. I have found him to be a capable and utterly patriotic and loyal supporter of the Republic, of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and of course, of President Arroyo and of Philippines-American alliance and cooperation. So, that is what I would have to say about Secretary Reyes.

Q: Do you have a comment about GMA's plan to run in the elections next year? Will you be suggesting her reconsideration to run?

RICCIARDONE: It is not for the United States to say who should run or who should not run. We support Philippines democracy. We don't hide our admiration for the President who is in very difficult circumstances globally -- with the global war on terrorism, with the crisis in Iraq, instability with North Korean proliferation. With global crises and very difficult politics at home, we respect a president who has carried this country forward. We warmly welcomed her to Washington in May, and President Bush looks forward to coming here in October to show our support for the Philippines and for her. That said, we support Philippines democracy, and it is not for us to predict, or to insist, or hint, or tell anyone here who should run, or who should vote for whom. We are too respectful of the Philippines to do that. I don't have a vote; Americans don't have a vote in your elections and in your democracy.

Q: But is it correct to say, then, that whoever assumes the presidency would still get the full support -- just as much support -- from the U.S. as it is getting now?

RICCIARDONE: You know, what we are interested in seeing is a strong Philippines democracy, with clean, open, fair elections that produce a president, at the end of the day, that the Philippines people want and give their full faith and support to. Whoever that person is, if that person wants to strengthen the alliance with the U.S., we'll be eager to strengthen the partnership and alliance we have now, just as we have done with President Arroyo. We would be glad to continue in that same way.

Q: Sir, there are comments that there is too much politics in the Philippines and that the economy is taking a back seat -- your comments?

RICCIARDONE: You know, this is a democracy. And the Philippines democracy has withstood the challenge -- the terrible shot to this system, I think, of July 27. And Philippines democracy, I have to have faith, is going to be tough enough to stand up to the political games that are going on here. At the end of the day, as an American, I have faith in the Philippines people. The Filipino people will see through the games and all of that and, at the end of the day, will make the right, responsible, and informed choices under your Constitution.

Q: Sir, there has been a request for the surrender of Hambali to the Philippines so that he can be tried here. Is that going to be granted by the U.S. Government?

RICCIARDONE: I have communicated that request to Washington. There are several countries that would like to try this man. The United States has every interest in seeing this man brought to justice all over the world for his crimes all over the world. And you can bet that we are going to be cooperating with the Government of the Philippines on that.

Q: How far down is the Philippines on the list? I know everybody wants to go and to try him first, but who gets him, after the United States?

RICCIARDONE: I don't think we have a rank order. It is a question of getting all the information that we can from this man that we can, and sorting out the very complicated legal situation he is in. And we will do that in due time and, you can bet, with the full cooperation with the law enforcement and intelligence authorities of the Government of the Philippines.

Q: Sir, you are meeting up with Washington officials next month. What are the issues you will be discussing?

RICCIARDONE: I am going to Washington next week. I will be doing consultations in advance of President Bush's visit here, and on a full range of issues. Following up on the program that the two presidents decided and announced last May. Seeing where we are on that, and preparing then, for President Bush's visit here. I would not be going to Washington to prepare for his visit, if his visit were not on.

RICCIARDONE: Okay?

Media: Thanks so 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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