MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President George W. Bush will meet for the last time as leaders of their nations when she goes to Washington and New York next month for a working visit, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announced Thursday.
Bunye said Ms Arroyo’s packed schedule on June 23-29 would include meetings with Bush, other key US government officials, members of the US Congress, Filipino veterans of World War II, leaders and members of the Filipino-American community, business leaders, investors and environmental groups.
During her visit, Ms Arroyo will also push the candidacy of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, her staunch political ally, for a seat in the International Court of Justice.
Bush is to step down in January 2009, and Ms Arroyo completes her term in 2010.
The two leaders last met for a brief lounge chat on Sept. 8, 2007, at the opening of the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Ms Arroyo traveled to the United States that same month to attend the Clinton Initiative Forum on Sept. 26 and the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 28.
The meeting between the Philippine and US leaders was “mutually discussed and agreed [upon],” according to Bunye.
“In Washington, President Bush will welcome President Arroyo to the White House for discussions on issues of great interest to the Philippines and the United States, particularly on ways to further strengthen our long-standing and historic bilateral relations,” Bunye said.
He said Ms Arroyo was expected to exchange views with Bush “on a broad range of issues, including food security, protection of the environment, the Philippine defense reform program, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, ASEAN’s community building, human rights, Burma (Myanmar) and global trade.”
Bunye said Ms Arroyo would take the opportunity to thank Bush for his administration's support for Filipino war veterans through the US Veterans Office in Manila and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
“[She] will also express her hope for a meaningful resolution to remaining issues relating to our veterans,” he said.
As well, Ms Arroyo will personally thank the US Senate for its “historic” 96-1 vote for the Veterans Benefits bill, which will benefit Filipino war veterans, he said.
More meetings
Bunye said Ms Arroyo would also meet with the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus, a group composed of members of the US House of Representatives particularly interested in strengthening relations between the two countries.
She will have a chance to meet with some US Cabinet officials when she holds consultations with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
(In March, the MCC granted the Philippines compact eligible status, opening the door to large grants for sustainable growth. The Philippines was selected after passing objective indicators in the areas of governing justly, investing in its citizens and encouraging economic freedom, Bunye said.)
And to advance her environmental agenda, Ms Arroyo will attend a special meeting of stakeholders in the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI).
“This meeting will bring the private and business sectors into this important initiative on the environment,” Bunye said.
“The CTI is focused on three primary areas—protecting coral reefs from man-made and natural disturbances, developing sustainable fisheries and ensuring food security for the region's inhabitants,” he said.
Business dinner
The ASEAN-US Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce will jointly host a dinner in honor of Ms Arroyo in Washington, according to Bunye.
In New York, Ms Arroyo will meet with a number of business and investment groups.
She will also host a reception for the permanent representatives to the United Nations in connection with Santiago’s candidacy for a seat in the International Court of Justice.
