GMA vows to take up US toxic waste in RP with Bush

President Arroyo will not skirt certain sensitive issues when she meets with US President George W. Bush next week.

These include the cleanup of reported toxic wastes in the former Clark Air base in Pampanga, the abandoned Amerasian children of US servicemen and the long-delayed benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II.

"I wish to bring up with President Bush the plight of Filipino-American war veterans whose benefits compare poorly with those of their counterparts," the President said before she departed for the US Wednesday night for an eight-day working visit.

"If there is time, I shall ask for a review of toxic chemicals remaining in former US military bases in the Philippines," she said as the descendants of Maj. Harold Clark — for whom Clark Field was named — wrote the American president to urge him to "contribute (the US’) fair share" in cleaning up the former US air base.

American geologist Allen Hubbard, a grandson of Clark, said Mrs. Arroyo’s visit was an opportune time to persuade Bush to clean up the toxic wastes left by American military forces which have reportedly caused the death of at least 80 locals.

"It is time that we, as the world’s remaining superpower, did the right thing in the world, especially with regard to developing nations such as the Philippines," Hubbard wrote.

Mrs. Arroyo said she would raise the cleanup of Clark, Amerasian children and veterans’ benefits after she and Bush discuss the Philippine contribution to the global war against terrorism.

The President is also expected to inform Bush of the country’s initiative in forming a regional coalition against terrorism, the top item in her recent talks with the leaders of Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia.

She is set to meet with Filipino-American communities in the US to ask them to help push the economy forward through direct investments, tourism and development assistance to impoverished barangays.