US wants greater SEA cooperation in dealing with natural disasters

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — The United States is challenging the Philippines to assume a bigger role in Southeast Asia in hopes of seeing more cooperation in the region as it deals with natural disasters, among other challenges.

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill yesterday urged the Philippines to play a leading part in forging multilateral ties with its neighbors, especially on military matters.

Hill, who visited the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here yesterday with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, said the US government wanted to see "militaries in the Southeast Asian region working more closely together to assist more people more quickly."

In a speech before PMA cadets, Hill said the US government "is seeing more and more natural disasters" that might have been caused by global warming.

"I think we all need to do more and be a little bit faster in reacting to these," he stressed.

Hill cited Filipinos for their leadership and discipline.

"This is a very important year for the Philippines," he said. "We will work closely together. The US is committed to the success of the region and in the deepening of our ties."

Tsunami-prone Indonesia lost at least 500 lives when giant waves struck the shores of Java more than a week ago. Indonesia was among the Southeast Asian countries hit by the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

In the Philippines, an archipelago prone to storms, more than 30 people died as Typhoon "Glenda" battered the country. A new tropical depression, "Henry," entered the country Saturday, posing a threat to the Bicol Region.

Also in Bicol, Mayon Volcano in Albay has been acting up again.

The Philippines is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.

Hill said multilateral relations will be the focus of the US government in the coming years.

"We face challenges like disasters and we can imagine joint exercises including the US military in catastrophes," Hill said.

He referred to the enduring ties between the Philippines and the US, as he emphasized the long history of cooperation between the two countries and sharing a great deal of military cooperation towards peace and freedom since World War II.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region is a "critically important region" for the US, Hill acknowledged.

He said he wants to see the region establish a harmonious cooperation, partnership, and promotion of mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defense and security challenges as well as enhancement of transparency and openness.

According to Hill, present security threats to the region include drug trafficking, human trafficking and international terrorism.

"We face many threats and this is an opportunity for more cooperation."

Thus, having multilateral ties is "a means by which we can gain greater sense of community because militaries will begin to work more closely."

Hill also emphasized the crucial role played by the Philippine military in nation building and praised "the Philippine Defense Reform" that sent a very strong message in the ASEAN region… of its commitment against terrorism… and combating international crimes."

Hill, with Kenney and PMA superintendent Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig, formally opened the American Corner of the PMA’s Learning Resource Center to where the US donated books, computers and information resources.

Hill is expected to speak about the US-Philippines relations and US policies in Asia before students of De La Salle University-Manila at 3:30 p.m. today.

This is his third visit to the Philippines in the last year.

Hill has held his post as US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs since April 2005.

He directs US foreign policy on countries in East Asia and also heads the US delegation to the Six Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue.

According to Hill, North Korea has only one option, which is to junk its nuclear weapons program.

Although Hill is optimistic of a supposed "September agreement on the table" on a deadline on the North Korean nuclear problem, he said the North Koreans "seem to like to isolate themselves," citing a recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"If they want to be isolated, we are happy to isolate them."

"Although, I am hopeful that the North Korean government will think about their decision to shun their nuclear program. They are in a very good mood right now," he said.

Hill showed optimism that the talks being conducted would finally send a message to North Korea "to think clearly and come back to the dialogue.