Embassy of the United States in Manila

CHARGE D’AFFAIRES DARRYL JOHNSON’S REMARKS

60 TH COMMEMORATION OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II IN THE PHILIPPINES
US EMBASSY RESIDENCE BAGUIO

SEPTEMBER 3, 2005

Secretary Romulo, Chairman Ocampo, Mayor Yaronani, Major General Balaoing, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Today marks the 60 th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Philippines, a war in which the Philippines suffered so terribly.

The country emerged from long years of conflict horribly scarred. 1.1 million Filipinos dies during the war. Manila – “The Pearl of the Orient” – lay in ruins. The economy was devastated, the infrastructure destroyed.

Yet amidst all this suffering, a nobility of spirit survived. Filipinos and Americans – the veterans of Bataan and Corregidor, Leyte and Lingayen, Cabanatuan and Manila – stood as victors, brothers in arms, bound inseparably by blood shed together.

As they had fought in war, so they committed themselves in peace to ensuring that such a conflict would never be repeated. They determined to work together to build a better world.

Philippine leadership was active in the creation of the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian nations. Carlos Romulo, aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in Bataan, Corregidor and Australia, was a delegate to the United Nations from its inception and was President of the UN General Assembly in 1949 and 1950.

In the sixty years since the end of the war, both the Philippines and the United States have built new relationships with Japan – strong and enduring alliances based upon a common commitment to democracy and dedicated to helping ensure peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and around the world.

We believe reconciliation, including among the peoples of East Asia, is an essential component of the peaceful, shared future that the United States and its allies are working to build.

These aspirations are also universal. Half a world away, the people of Iraq are also struggling to build a new and better nation after emerging from the grip of a brutal dictatorship. In the best tradition of democracy, and Iraqi elected assembly re4cently reached broad consensus on contentious constitutional issues through a process of debate, dialogue and compromise. The members of the Constitutional Committee completed their work amidst a continuing, bloody terrorist campaign that seeks to derail and undermine the political process. The people of the United States admire their bravery. The international community needs to stand by the people of Iraq as they work to resolve their differences peacefully and to realize their vision of a secure, free and prosperous Iraq.

Throughout our 60 th anniversary commemoration ceremonies during the last year, we honored the courage and bravery of the Filipino and American soldiers who risked their lives so that others could be free. At this- the closing commemoration – we salute the veterans, as well as the inheritors of their proud tradition – the members of the U.s. and Filipino militaries who stand side-by-side to commemorate the heroism of their forefathers.

Today our two countries battle new enemies: terrorism as well as poverty injustice and corruption here and elsewhere in the world.

As the people of the Gulf coast of the United States recover from the horrible aftermath of hurricane Katrina, we are deeply grateful for such outpourings of sympathy and support from our friends including the kind words spoken yesterday by President Arroyo as well as the offers of assistance from Australia, China, Japan, Great Britain, the United Nations, and others. It is this solidarity, this genuine true friendship in time of need that enabled us to win through so many trials in the past, and which will help us overcome the adversities that we face today.

The Philippine-American partnership runs deep. It is based upon common values and a love of freedom, but also on blood shed and hardships endured together. As we honor our heroes – members of what has been called “the greatest generation” – let us renew our commitment to keep faith in their ideals.

***


CHARGE D’AFFAIRES DARRYL JOHNSON’S REMARKS 60 TH COMMEMORATION OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II IN THE PHILIPPINES US EMBASSY RESIDENCE BAGUIO SEPTEMBER 3, 2005 Secretary Romulo, Chairman Ocampo, Mayor Yaronani, Major General Balaoing, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Today marks the 60 th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Philippines, a war in which the Philippines suffered so terribly. The country emerged from long years of conflict horribly scarred. 1.1 million Filipinos dies during the war. Manila – “The Pearl of the Orient” – lay in ruins. The economy was devastated, the infrastructure destroyed. Yet amidst all this suffering, a nobility of spirit survived. Filipinos and Americans – the veterans of Bataan and Corregidor, Leyte and Lingayen, Cabanatuan and Manila – stood as victors, brothers in arms, bound inseparably by blood shed together. As they had fought in war, so they committed themselves in peace to ensuring that such a conflict would never be repeated. They determined to work together to build a better world. Philippine leadership was active in the creation of the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian nations. Carlos Romulo, aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in Bataan, Corregidor and Australia, was a delegate to the United Nations from its inception and was President of the UN General Assembly in 1949 and 1950. In the sixty years since the end of the war, both the Philippines and the United States have built new relationships with Japan – strong and enduring alliances based upon a common commitment to democracy and dedicated to helping ensure peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and around the world. We believe reconciliation, including among the peoples of East Asia, is an essential component of the peaceful, shared future that the United States and its allies are working to build. These aspirations are also universal. Half a world away, the people of Iraq are also struggling to build a new and better nation after emerging from the grip of a brutal dictatorship. In the best tradition of democracy, and Iraqi elected assembly re4cently reached broad consensus on contentious constitutional issues through a process of debate, dialogue and compromise. The members of the Constitutional Committee completed their work amidst a continuing, bloody terrorist campaign that seeks to derail and undermine the political process. The people of the United States admire their bravery. The international community needs to stand by the people of Iraq as they work to resolve their differences peacefully and to realize their vision of a secure, free and prosperous Iraq. Throughout our 60 th anniversary commemoration ceremonies during the last year, we honored the courage and bravery of the Filipino and American soldiers who risked their lives so that others could be free. At this- the closing commemoration – we salute the veterans, as well as the inheritors of their proud tradition – the members of the U.s. and Filipino militaries who stand side-by-side to commemorate the heroism of their forefathers. Today our two countries battle new enemies: terrorism as well as poverty injustice and corruption here and elsewhere in the world. As the people of the Gulf coast of the United States recover from the horrible aftermath of hurricane Katrina, we are deeply grateful for such outpourings of sympathy and support from our friends including the kind words spoken yesterday by President Arroyo as well as the offers of assistance from Australia, China, Japan, Great Britain, the United Nations, and others. It is this solidarity, this genuine true friendship in time of need that enabled us to win through so many trials in the past, and which will help us overcome the adversities that we face today. The Philippine-American partnership runs deep. It is based upon common values and a love of freedom, but also on blood shed and hardships endured together. As we honor our heroes – members of what has been called “the greatest generation” – let us renew our commitment to keep faith in their ideals. ***
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