GMA, Bush to sign anti-terrorism agreement

NEW YORK (via PLDT) — President Arroyo and US President George W. Bush will sign a joint communiqué at the White House tomorrow on terrorism and security relations.

The President flew from New York and landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 11 last night to start the third leg of her working visit to the US and discuss security and defense issues.

Bush invited the President to the US to mark the 50th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), leading diplomats to note how important the Philippines figures in US security plans.

From Andrews Air Base, Mrs. Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo were to proceed to the 177-year-old Blair House across the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Philippine officials with the presidential entourage refused to elaborate on the nature of the communiqué but hinted it would include a statement on terrorism and recognition of the Philippines’ efforts to fight the international scourge.

Mrs. Arroyo told reporters here the communiqué would summarize the discussion and consensus reached during her one-on-one meeting with Bush.

"It’s not an agreement. What we’re going to do is to issue a joint communiqué about our talks and what we agreed on," the President said.

She denied reports from Manila that a secret agreement will be signed where a new military base or a large American force would be deployed in the country in exchange for military assistance. "If there is a secret agreement, can that be enforced?" Mrs. Arroyo asked.

She assured the people that whatever security arrangement the two countries would pursue as a result of her working visit, it would not include the stationing of US troops in the Philippines.

Only military advisers or trainers, she said, would be sent to the Philippines and this is in accordance with the MDT.

At the same time, Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta warned the Arroyo administration against attempting to forge any "secret" pact that would allow unlimited access for US military forces.

Oreta said doing so would violate the constitutional provision on prior congressional consent for the long-term presence of foreign military troops or facilities in the Philippines.

Also expected to coincide with the President’s working visit is the turnover of US military equipment and aircraft to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the US excess defense articles program. At least a C-130 plane and some six to eight Huey helicopters are expected to be turned over to the AFP.

The Philippines is reportedly the initial focus of the US Pacific Command’s anti-terrorism plan, particularly against the al-Qaeda terrorist network of Saudi turned Afghan dissident Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on the US.