OBAMA: MILITARY COOPERATION W/ RP REMINDER U.S.
STILL PACIFIC POWER
[PHOTO - OVAL OFFICE MEETING:
President Benigno S. Aquino III and US President Barack Obama met for about an
hour in the White House on Friday afternoon to discuss key bilateral issues,
including security and military concerns. (Associated
Press)]
WASHINGTON, JUNE 11, 2012 (BULLETIN) By JC BELLO RUIZ -
Obama: Philippines Key As America Remains A Player In
Asia
United States President Barack Obama said security and military cooperation
with the Philippines "is a reminder to everybody that the United States
considers itself, and is, a Pacific power."
Emerging from a meeting with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III at
the White House Oval Office on Friday afternoon, Obama told reporters he and
Aquino discussed security and military issues "all of which is consistent with
the announced pivot by the US back to Asia, and reminding everybody that, in
fact, the US considers itself, and is, a Pacific power."
The two presidents met against the backdrop of a two-month standoff between
Philippine and Chinese vessels at the Panatag Shoal in the South China Sea.
The US and the Philippines are bound by a mutual defense treaty. The
Philippines has been seeking a clear public statement that the US would come to
its defense should it face attack.
The US has restricted itself to saying it would honor its obligations under
the treaty. No further statement was forthcoming Friday, and neither leader
mentioned China.
Obama said he and Aquino discussed the importance of having "a strong set of
international norms and rules governing disputes in the region."
Earlier, at a luncheon hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for
Aquino and his delegation at the State Department, Clinton announced the US
support for building a National Coast Watch Center in the Philippines.
"We are also working closely together to increase information and
intelligence exchanges and coordination on maritime domain issues," she said.
But Clinton made it clear the US will not take a position on the territorial
dispute in the South China Sea.
"As I've said many times, the United States does not take a position on the
competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. But we do, however, have a
clear interest in the maintenance of peace and stability, freedom of navigation,
respect for international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China
Sea," she said.
Clinton welcomed Aquino's initiative to defuse the tension in Panatag. "We
encourage continued diplomatic dialogue and further efforts to lessen tension,
to disengage, and to resolve the situation peacefully," she said.
"The United States has been consistent in that we oppose the use of force or
coercion by any claimant to advance its claims, and we will continue to monitor
the situation closely," she said.
Interviewed while on the flight from Washington to Los Angeles, California,
Aquino downplayed the link between the US's help in setting up the coast watch
center and the situation in Panatag.
He also said that while there was no categorical statement from Obama or
Clinton on the US support to the Philippines in case of an armed conflict with
China, the two American leaders were "very, very serious with out mutual defense
treaty."
The treaty, signed in 1951, states that both nations would support each other
if either one was attacked by an external party.
An armed attack involves assaults on the main territory or island territory
under jurisdiction of either of the parties, or security forces, public vessels
or aircraft in the Pacific.
Last Tuesday the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling for
increased defense and security cooperation with the Philippines, including the
"rotational presence" of American troops in the country.
During their meeting, Obama and Aquino committed to redouble efforts to
expand trade and promote greater economic integration in the Asia Pacific.
Last month, the US handed to the Philippines a second Coast Guard cutter
following the transfer last year of a similar 45-year-old vessel that has since
become a flagship in the Philippine navy.
Obama noted the dialogue taking place under the bilateral Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement and the importance of expanding bilateral trade
in key agricultural products of interest to both countries.
Aquino thanked Obama "for all the support that the US has given us in our
quest to really transform our society. Ours is a shared history, shared values,
and that's why America is just one of two that we have strategic partnerships
with."
Obama commended Aquino's commitment to promoting good governance, improving
government transparency, and countering corruption as key to generating
inclusive economic growth.
The leaders agreed to continue to push for progress towards those goals in
the Open Government Partnership, through the implementation of the Philippines
Millennium Challenge Corporation compact grant, and through the Philippines'
participation in the Partnership for Growth.
They also welcomed the signing of a Science and Technology agreement that
will help boost innovation by facilitating collaborative scientific activities
and promoting the exchange of ideas, information, skills and technology.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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