U.S. TO PROVIDE ANTI-TERRORISM AID TO
PHILIPPINES
(Fact Sheet: Also will provide medical equipment to veterans center)
The White House released a fact sheet May 19 announcing developments
related to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit
to the United States and her meeting with President Bush.
According to the fact sheet, the United States will provide new
funds for training and equipping Philippine forces to deal with
terrorist groups in the Philippines, as well funds to spur development
in the Mindanao region of that country.
The fact sheet also lists an agreement to provide U.S. military
support to "Armed Forces of the Philippines-led operations
against the Abu Sayyaf Group," and a promise to designate
America's long-time Pacific ally as having "Major Non-NATO
Ally Status," which would enhance Manila's access to American
equipment and supplies.
With respect to veterans benefits, the United States will provide
$500,000 in medical equipment to the Veterans Memorial Medical
Center in Quezon City to improve medical care for Filipino veterans
in the Philippines. The administration also has made a commitment
to support legislation that would provide new benefits to Filipino
veterans lawfully residing in the United States, the fact sheet
says.
President Bush also accepted an invitation from Macapagal-Arroyo
to visit the Philippines in October of this year.
Following is the text of the May 19 fact sheet:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
Fact Sheet:
ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATED TO THE VISIT OF PRESIDENT ARROYO
Counterterrorism Equipment and Training: $30
million in new grant aid for equipment and training of Armed Forces
of the Philippines targeted at capabilities for countering terrorist
groups within Philippines.
Development Assistance to Conflict Areas: $30
million in new bilateral development assistance for Mindanao and
support for the peace process with the MILF, as appropriate.
Establishment of Combat Engineering Unit: $25
million in new grant assistance to train and equip a combat engineering
unit and provide other military needs in the war on terror. The
engineering unit will be able to do civic action and humanitarian
projects in conflict zones.
U.S. Military Support to Philippine Counterterrorism
Operations: Agreement to provide U.S. military support
to Armed Forces of the Philippines-led operations against the
Abu Sayyaf Group.
Support to Philippine Military Mobility: 20
UH-1H helicopters, as they become available and funding for refurbishment
and transport is secured; an additional 10 UH-1H helicopters to
be provided to ensure sufficient spare parts.
Comprehensive Security Review: Launching of
a comprehensive review of Philippine security needs and how the
United States can best support Philippine military modernization
and reform.
U.S. Defense Goods and Services: Up to $10 million
in Presidential Drawdown Authority for equipment, spare parts
and maintenance.
Major Non-NATO Ally Status: Commitment to designate
the Philippines a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) to allow U.S. and
Philippines to work together on military research and development
and give Philippines greater access to American defense equipment
and supplies.
Reciprocal Presidential Visit: Acceptance by
President Bush of President Arroyo's invitation to visit Manila
in October 2003.
Remittance Facilitation Initiative: Launching
of an initiative to facilitate and reduce transaction fees on
remittances from overseas Filipinos, which could save Filipino
workers as much as an estimated $300 million annually.
Generalized System of Preferences Benefits: Agreement
for tariff-free, GSP benefits to 8 specific products requested
by the Philippines.
Veterans Benefits:
-- Commitment to support legislation extending new benefits to
veterans lawfully residing in the United States, including: full
rate service connected disability compensation; eligibility for
burial at national cemeteries and burial benefits for New Scouts;
full rate dependence and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the survivors
of New Scouts, Commonwealth Army veterans and guerrillas; and
comprehensive health care eligibility to Commonwealth Army veterans
and New Scouts.
-- Commitment to support reauthorization for the regional Veterans
Affairs office in Manila.
-- $500,000 in medical equipment to the Veterans Memorial Medical
Center in Quezon City to improve medical care for Filipino veterans
in the Philippines.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs,
U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
0520wf0519.104
