*EPF509 07/02/2004
Transcript: Terrorism a "Long-Term" Problem Facing Asia, Fargo Says
(U.S. Pacific commander lauds Philippine efforts to fight terror) (1850)

"Terrorism is a long-term problem requiring both security and developmental solutions," says Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific.

During a recent visit to the Philippines, Fargo lauded the cooperative efforts of the Philippine leadership to combat terrorism. He said that at the Philippine government's request, the U.S. military continues to train and provide intelligence to the armed forces of the Philippines in the fight against terrorism.

To date, he noted, the Philippines has had a number of successes in foiling efforts of terrorist groups. Fargo expressed concerned that the terrorist group known as "JI" -- Jema'ah Islamiyah, a surrogate for al Qaeda -- may be present in the Philippines as it is throughout Southeast Asia.

Fargo said the U.S. military-to-military program between the two countries is structured to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in strengthening its long-term capability, adding that the U.S. security assistance program with the AFP is the largest in the Pacific Command.

Fargo made his observations during a June 28 press briefing in Zamboanga with Lieutenant General Roy Kyamko, commander of the Philippine military's Southern Command.

Following is the State Department transcript:

(begin transcript)

General Kyamko: You are all aware that the Philippines and the United States of America have been strong allies in the fight against terrorism. The RP-US alliance under the auspices of Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terrorism has gained success in this fight and cut back on terror activities. The joint training undertaken under this program has paved the way to be more effective response for the AFP to deal with the threat posed by terror groups. Admiral Fargo's visit is an affirmation of respect of this alliance. Thank you.

Admiral Fargo: Thank you very much, General. It's a great pleasure to be here today and I thank you all for joining us. I'll make just a very brief opening statement, if I can, and then I'll be happy to take your questions.

This is my fourth visit to the Philippines since becoming the U.S. Pacific Commander in May of 2002, and actually it's my third visit to the Southern Command here in Zamboanga. I'm on a routine visit through Southeast Asia, and before my visit here I was in Malaysia and Thailand and Singapore where I had a warm and productive set of discussions on regional security issues including maritime security.

So I've just arrived today in the Philippines. SOUTHCOM is my first stop. I'm visiting the Philippines this week for several important reasons. The Philippines is a good friend, as the General mentioned, and a treaty ally. I want to personally congratulate the Philippine Armed Forces for their successful efforts against terrorism. You have had recent very good successes to disrupt attacks and secure your nation's democratic elections and you should all be very proud of those.

I'm confident your leaders recognize that terrorism is a long-term problem requiring both security and developmental solutions. At the request of your government the U.S. military role in the Philippines continues to be to train and assist and provide intelligence to the armed forces of the Philippines in order to strengthen your efforts against terrorism.

This is your fight against those who threaten your citizens and their peace and stability and we're glad to help in ways that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the government of the Philippines find useful, and that's what allies and friends do for each other.

The military-to-military program between our two countries is structured to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines in strengthening its long-term capability. Our security assistance program with the AFP is the largest in the Pacific Command. This program has trained AFP light reaction companies and battalions and I'll be reviewing the good progress on these programs during my visit.

An important part of our mutual training includes humanitarian assistance and civic action. Working with the AFP we have a number of these projects underway and planned not only for this region but in Luzon as well.

Later on today I'll go to Manila to meet and consult with your senior leaders. Later this week I'll be in Cebu as a member of the U.S. delegation to your President's inauguration.

In Manila I will thank your leaders for the Philippines contribution to Iraq. The people of Iraq welcome your efforts. I'll also consult with your leadership regarding the ongoing progress in the Philippines Defense Reform Initiative.

Now I'd be happy to take your questions.

Q: Sir, have you discussed with the Philippines officials any new exercises between the countries?

A: As you know, we have a large number of exercises that we conduct with the Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The exercises are determined each year as part of the Mutual Defense Board, and in fact General Abaya and I will sit down and conduct that effort later on this summer.

But let me assure you that what we expect to happen is to continue the ongoing strong exercise program that you would expect good treaty allies like the United States and the Philippines to have. Some of those exercises will be here in the south, and of course some will be in the north. Certainly they will be designed to help improve the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deal with the kinds of transnational concerns, very specifically terrorism, that they have very real concerns about.

Q: Sir, good afternoon. I'm with the Philippines Star. May we know from your assessment how the effort in the fight against terrorism in Asia is going?

A: I think the countries of this region have made very significant progress in the war on terrorism. Certainly they have taken hundreds of JI members off of the streets, over 200. They've arrested some of the key leadership of the Jema'ah Islamiyah, Hambali being the best example. And very specifically here in the Philippines recently they've disrupted any number of different attacks that I think were particularly important to be able to conduct this election peacefully.

So there's lots of additional work to be done. This is, as I mentioned in my opening comments, a long-term effort, but I think we ought to acknowledge that a great deal of progress has been made to date.

Q: Are you concerned about the JI?

A: As you know, the JI is an al Qaeda surrogate. They certainly are present throughout Southeast Asia. We are concerned about a JI presence in the southern Philippines. It is a principal point of discussion that I'll have with General Abaya and SOUTHCOM. I think we recognize it for what it is. It's a group that threatens the peace and stability of the citizens here in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Q: May we know your thoughts and expectations in terms of support for Iraq from the Arroyo government and can you give us an update on international terrorism?

A: I think it's very clear that the United States has had superb support from the Philippines government on the war on terrorism from the very start. President Arroyo and the Philippines government were some of the very first leaders in the international community to step forward after 9/11 and provide their support.

I would expect in the future that we'll have equally strong support and the kind of combined effort that's particularly helpful throughout the world.

Q: Good afternoon. To what extent have you strengthened the ties or alliance with the Philippines?

A: I think there are a number of very good programs going on right now that help strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Philippines. First as I mentioned is the ongoing exercise program that I think is very important, and my visit here provides an opportunity to look at some of the things that we're doing together.

The second is the Philippine Defense Reform Initiative, which is also, I think, a very positive undertaking, a very positive initiative, and I think it will have long-term positive effects on the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So those are two, right off the bat.

Then I guess the third that I would add is the support that the Philippine government has provided in Iraq which I think is very substantial and important as we move to the point here in just a couple of days where we turn sovereignty over to the Interim Iraqi Government.

Q: Sir, you made mention about your visit in the Philippines and you emphasized here you have several important reasons for this trip. We have learned that you are going to meet with our defense leaders in the Philippines. May we know what are the important reasons that you are going to discuss? Does it have something to do with the war on terror or anything about the defense matters that would enhance the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines?

A: I think we'll discuss a number of issues. Certainly we're about to start the training of two more light infantry battalions here. I think that's a very significant effort. That's part of an ongoing program to help with the training of the Armed Forces of the Philippines so I'm sure we'll discuss that. I'm sure we'll discuss Philippines defense reform because that's also an important an ongoing effort. My guess is that we will discuss in some depth different regional security issues, some of which include maritime security, because that's something that we're all intently focused on right now. So those would be three examples of our discussions.

Q: What about the MILF and the New People's Army which is still in the midst of this terror group?

A: Of course there's an ongoing peace initiative with the MILF that is very important. Certainly I just came from Malaysia and it's clear to me that Malaysia is anxious to provide whatever assistance they can in facilitating a peace agreement with the government of the Philippines and the MILF. So I think those are good things and that will probably be a subject of discussion.

Q: What about the New People's Army, sir?

A: The New people's Army, I'm sure I will ask the leadership of the government of the Philippines for their assessment of the New People's Army.

Moderator: Thank you very much, sir. I think that was the last question. Before we wind up may we ask [inaudible] if they have any additional statement you would like to make?

A: No, let me say I'm very happy to be here again in Zamboanga. I think I've probably talked to many of you before on different visits. I've got great confidence in the leadership down here. Certainly it's good to see the kind of economic expansion that's going on. This is an important visit at an important time and I'm very happy to be in the Philippines.

(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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