Envoy hints of replicating RP-US VFA in Russia as part of post-Cold War policy

MANILA, Philippines – The ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Philippines hinted yesterday that the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) may be replicated by his country as part of its post-Cold War policy for its allies in various parts of the world.

Getting an unofficial briefing on the US military presence in the Philippines at the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo hotel in Quezon City, Ambassador Vitaly Vorobiev said “it’s good sending troops.”

Retired Maj. Gen. Edelberto Adan, head of the VFA commission, made a slide presentation of the US military presence in the Philippines during the forum.

Adan said the basis of the US military presence, which began in 1951 when the Mutual Defense Treaty was signed by the Philippines and the US, is to further strengthen efforts for collective defense and preservation of peace and security in the Pacific region.

He said the VFA provides a regulatory mechanism for the circumstances and conditions under which the US forces may visit the Philippines.

He explained that US soldiers come and go because military exercises are composed of several activities.

But former Senator Francisco Tatad criticized the lack of clear policy on the presence of the US troops, which he claimed have become permanent and now include the conduct of operations in zones of conflict.

Tatad described the presence of the US troops as a “relay marathon run where in the baton is passed on to the second runner to continue the game.”

“The VFA is becoming an endless military exercise,” he said.

Vorobiev said Russia has also its own version of the VFA, but it is limited within their territory, where they provide training to foreign military personnel in their military academies.

He said except for their participation in foreign peacekeeping missions under the United Nations, they have confined their armed forces within their borders.  

Vorobiev said they also provide technical training for the operation of their war machines, which they sell in the world market.

The Russian ambassador also assured the forum that despite the recent conflict with Georgia, the policy of his government is geared toward peaceful settlement of conflict and not confrontation.

He said his government, which emerged from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, is not interested in looking at the past to find solutions to conflict, as it wants to join the international community in seeking global peace and prosperity.

“ A county cannot stand alone,” he said.

During the forum, he also explained that it was Georgia, a former member of the USSR, that started the conflict by sending troops and attacking Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia.

He said his government, which has already terminated its military offensive, is just protecting its soldiers and citizens who were subject to the military assault by the Georgians.

Since Georgia was once part of the southern USSR, Russian citizens have settled down there because of the good climate, scenic views, and abundant fruits in the area.

He said several Georgians had occupied high posts in the government of the former USSR, including diplomats assigned across the globe.

The discrimination against Russians allegedly triggered the conflict in Ossetia. – Perseus Echeminada