Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I am deeply honored to come before you as President George W. Bush's nominee as Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Palau.  I am grateful to the President and to Secretary Powell for the trust they have placed in me. If confirmed by the Senate, I will work closely with the Senate and Congress to advance American interests in both countries to which I will be accredited.

    I ask the Committee's permission to introduce some family members and to acknowledge my profound gratitude for their loving support through our many travels together and our many separations. With me today are my wife, Marie Dunn Ricciardone, our daughters Francesca and Chiara.

    Like so many other American families, our origins lay in foreign countries only one lifetime ago. Thus we share the defining American immigrant experience of some 2-3 million Filipino-Americans in our country. Raised as Roman Catholics and educated to Islam over many years of service in the Muslim world, my wife and I share core beliefs with the people of the Philippines. We have met and admired Filipinos in many walks of life worldwide. 

    My professional experience should stand me in good stead for the positions to which I have been nominated. Most pertinent was my leadership of the large mission to our NATO ally, Turkey, both as Deputy Chief of Mission and for half a year as Charge' d'Affaires. American priorities for which I was responsible there included counter-terrorism programs, mutual defense operations and assistance, trade and investment promotion, services to our own and host national citizens, support for host country efforts to improve democracy and good government, and scrupulous management of our mission's limited resources. Previously, I had learned invaluable lessons in leadership, management, and teamwork from assignments in two multinational, joint-service military deployments: first, as Chief of the Civilian Observer Unit of the Multinational Force and Observers, operating in the Sinai Desert of Egypt and in Israel; and later as Political Advisor to the Commander of Operation Provide Comfort, operating in Iraq from the Turkish-American airbase at Incirlik. I appreciate the need for our missions to provide timely, accurate, and relevant information: I have won awards for my reporting on political Islam and on developments behind the walls of the Iraqi dictatorship.

    Mr. Chairman, under the dynamic new leadership in both our countries, American-Philippine relations are coming of age. At this critical moment of terrorist attack on both our nations, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's recent visit to the U.S., celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines, has advanced our cooperation on all fronts. If confirmed by the Senate, it will be my privilege and responsibility to carry forward the new impetus that President Bush and President Macapagal-Arroyo have given to U.S.-Philippine cooperation. Our cooperation covers many national purposes and programs, represented in three watchwords: prosperity, security, and service. 

    Mr. Chairman, as Senate Resolution No. 91 of December 10 makes clear, the United States is deeply grateful for the support of the Government and the people of the Philippines in the most urgent of our priority mutual interests --our mutual defense against terrorism. Exactly three weeks ago, President Bush cited President Macapagal-Arroyo's exemplary leadership in offering important political, military, intelligence, and other tangible support in the worldwide coalition against terrorism, including logistics support by the Philippines armed forces and the use of bases and airspace. Her Government and the Philippine Congress recently passed anti-money laundering legislation that will help deny funds to terrorists.

    Mr. Chairman, if confirmed, I hope to enhance our cooperation to hasten the success of the Philippine armed forces, Government, and civil society in defeating terrorism. In particular, I ask the Committee's permission to reiterate the joint demand of Presidents Bush and Macapagal-Arroyo that the terrorist Abu Sayyaf gang immediately, safely, and unconditionally release all their hostages, including our two American citizens, Martin and Gracia Burnham. The Bush Administration, including our mission in Manila, will press that demand unrelentingly, and we will continue to offer all possible support information, and compassion to the Burnham family. 

    The 1999 U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement has reinvigorated our defense relations. The United States now conducts exercises with the Philippine armed forces, and our Navy ships again are calling regularly at Philippine ports. This year, thanks to Congressional support for the President's decisions, our military assistance to the Philippines has risen. We have already begun programs that are improving the counter-terrorist and other capabilities of the Philippine armed forces and their interoperability with our forces.

    Mr. Chairman, as the Philippines' largest trading partner and foreign investor, American prosperity and Philippine prosperity are inseparably linked. Tens of thousands of Americans and Filipinos owe their livings to some $23 billion in annual bilateral trade. But the Philippines lag far behind the rest of Asia in economic growth. Filipinos know that they must urgently rectify their global competitiveness by accelerating economic liberalization and improving transparency and governance. The Philippines' very national security depends on their success in promoting economic growth. 

    In particular, we support President Macapagal-Arroyo's determination to bring economic development reconciliation to Mindanao. There, poverty exacerbates sectarian tensions, secessionism, including hostage-taking. Hence, crime, and terrorism, the United States devotes much of our economic assistance to programs in Mindanao. These programs have encouraged over ten thousand former secessionist combatants to take up peaceful pursuits. In this context, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 91's acknowledgment of the economic and military needs of the Philippines and its pledge to continue to assist in addressing those needs, carry particular weight.

    Mr. Chairman, if confirmed, I will fully attend to American interests in the Republic of Palau, a young republic boasting extraordinary natural beauty, a strategic location, and a historic relationship with the United States. The United States memorializes the liberation of Palau and the South Pacific in a most meaningful and timely way: The United States Navy Ship Peleliu, now proudly launching our Marines against terrorists in Afghanistan, is named for that Palauan Island which witnessed one of the fiercest naval battles of World War II. 

    Primarily based on tourism, services, and foreign assistance, Palau's economy sustains a fair standard of living both for its own citizens and for thousands of Filipino and other foreign workers. If I am confirmed, our mission to Koror will work with President Remengesau and his government to diminish Palau's need for foreign assistance; to sustain its economic vitality, including improving the transparency of its banking system; and to protect Palau's exquisite environment. I will be eager to travel to Koror to witness the accomplishments of Palauans and to celebrate and advance our partnership. 

    Mr. Chairman, any Filipino schoolchild knows that you, Senator Lugar, and other past and present members of this committee played direct, historic role in restoring democracy to the Philippines in 1986, and that your enduring support has helped sustain democracy there. Likewise, I especially appreciate Senator Hagel's close personal attention to U.S. interests in the Philippines and his several visits over the years. Recognizing such interest and support from the Senate, should the Senate confirm me, I would like to ask another privilege: that you and other members of the Senate consider paying early, repeat visit to your Embassies in Manila and Koror, where you will be most warmly welcome.

    Mr. Chairman, I Thank you and the Committee for considering my nomination. I would be honored to respond to any questions and to have the benefit of any advice you may care to offer.
 

For additional information, please contact the Press Office at 526-6300, ext. 2363.