Media interview with Ambassador Ricciardone at Corregidor Island, March 2, 2005

 

Q: (inaudible)…the compensation and benefits for the veterans?

A: It’s important that we compensate our veterans. So, yes that’s a very important thing. We need to remember them not only in ceremonies like this, but we should take care of their health and their well-being. I think it’s a very important thing for all governments to do.

Q: Sir, what’s the status of the proposal in the U.S. Congress to compensate Filipino war veterans?

A: I honestly don’t know what the latest status is. I do know that in the first Bush administration, President Bush supported the increase in benefits for Filipino war veterans and we were able to get that through and we’re very proud of it not only in increasing the benefits for those Filipino veterans living in the U.S. but also former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Principi came to the Philippines twice and donated out of his own budget two million dollars for the Veterans Memorial Hospital here—a pretty sizeable contribution in equipment—kidney machines, and the training in the repair and maintenance for those.

Q: Sir, are there immediate plans to compensate Filipino veterans living here and not living in the U.S.?

A: I know there are proposals in the Congress but I don’t know where they stand right now.

Q: In the U.S. Congress, where there are proposals also?

A: Right. I don’t know where things are. Is your Congress is completing anything? I don’t know where things may stand in your Congress. I know these are things that in each Congress people have to work through an appropriations process, but as far as I’m concerned, we can’t do too much for our veterans.

Q: But the U.S. is open to that idea in case the Philippine Congress asks?

A: I don’t think there is any country in the world veterans that treats its veterans with more honor and respect than the United States does. We think that other countries will want to do the same sort of thing, and we treat Filipino veterans almost as our own. We recognize their sacrifices as our allies. There are many allied countries, of course, in World War II—the Italians at the end of the war, the British and they all take care of their veterans very well. We don’t do for those allies what we do for our Filipino allies. It’s a little special in case of the Philippines, of course.

Q: Sir, but what is the immediate plan to compensate for those who are living (inaudible) the Congress proposals?

A: I’m honestly not aware of what the state of legislative play is there. Personally, as I say, I think you can’t do enough – no country can do enough for its veterans. We owe them so much.

Q: Sir, how do you feel that you were seated together with a Japanese dignitary?

A: Well, I think – you know, my father was a veteran of World War II also, and I know also…

Q: Is he still here?

A: No. I’ve brought him back to the United States.

Q: Really?

A: Yes. I brought him as far as Honolulu the other day, and I’m just back from bringing him there. He enjoyed his visit very much. He and veterans of World War II, I should think, have very strong but mixed feelings about their former enemy. They’ll never forget the suffering at the hands of the enemy. They’ll never forget the terrible atrocities of that enemy. But what better outcome than to have our former enemies now be among our closest and strongest allies in the cause of freedom and democracy. I think that’s a good outcome, and I think it’s a noble thing for Ambassador Yamazaki to come and join us in these commemorations.

Q: Is Japan one of the allies of the U.S. now?

A: Very clearly, yes. It’s a great ally, standing with us in Iraq, for example, helping to build democracy there and make it stronger. We work together at the United Nations, much like the Philippines.

Q: Sir, there are pending proposals to pass anti-terror bills? What are your comments on that?

A: Each country has to figure out for itself…

Q: …bombings?

A: Right. Each country has to figure out for itself how to strengthen its laws against terrorism and you’re exercising your democracy in the proper ways, with debates in the media and in the Senate, and however that debate comes out will be right for you because you’re a democracy, you have a free press, you’ve got an outspoken Senate and a House of Representatives. You’ll figure this out, and you’ll get it right for you.

Q: Sir, on another topic. There have been wire reports of two Americans who were arrested in Mississippi last week for allegedly helping the Abu Sayyaf? Will there be government to government cooperation sharing?

A: You know, I don’t know anything about that beyond what I’ve read in the media, and I made it a note to myself to find out more. So, thanks to you in the media for reporting that, but I really don’t know anything about that than there is in the media.

Q: Thank you so much, sir.

 

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