July 27, 2003
U.S. STATEMENT ON THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION
The following is the transcript of the press conference with Ambassador
Francis J. Ricciardone held Sunday, July 27 at 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 can not 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)
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