-Caveat Lector-
>From the Phillippine Daily Inquirer
(known to itself as providing "balanced news and fearless views")
"" ''If worse comes to worst they will be with us against any external
aggressor in our country,'' Mr. Estrada told a radio interview from Auckland.
''They will defend us.'' ""
> Clinton assures Estrada
> US will defend RP
>
>
> US PRESIDENT Clinton has pledged to defend the Philippines against any foreign
> aggressor and to help modernize its weak military, President Estrada said
> yesterday.
>
> Mr. Estrada said Clinton made the assurances during their meeting in Auckland,
> New Zealand, on the sidelines of the just-concluded Asia-Pacific Economic
> Cooperation summit.
>
> ''If worse comes to worst they will be with us against any external aggressor in
> our country,'' Mr. Estrada told a radio interview from Auckland. ''They will
> defend us.''
>
> Asked if this would apply even in the event of a conflict with China, Mr.
> Estrada said: ''Any external aggressor. They are ready to defend our country.
> Not just (against) China but any country that may invade or intrude in our
> territory.''
>
> He said that when he raised the issue of the Spratlys, Clinton promised to help
> but reminded him it would be best for the conflicting claims to be settled
> diplomatically.
>
> The setting up of Chinese structures on Philippine-claimed reefs in the Spratly
> Islands has sharpened Philippine concern over defense matters, contributing to
> closer ties with the United States.
>
> Mr. Estrada said that Chinese President Jiang Zemin also noted the need for a
> peaceful solution to the Spratly dispute, during their meeting in Auckland.
>
> ''President Jiang also wants the matter settled amicably,'' said Mr. Estrada.
> ''We are formulating a code of conduct, and there will be discussions. We don't
> want a confrontation. We want a diplomatic solution.''
>
> China began building structures, which it calls shelters for fishermen, on
> Mischief Reef in the Spratlys in 1995, drawing protests from the Philippines,
> which also claims the reef.
>
> The dispute heated up last year when Chinese workers began enlarging the
> structures.
>
> After Mr. Estrada took office in June last year, the Philippines began seeking
> international support to halt what it sees as Chinese expansion in the Spratlys.
>
>
> Aside from China and the Philippines, the Spratlys are also claimed by Brunei,
> Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The island chain straddles important sea lanes and
> fishing areas and is believed to be rich in minerals and oil.
>
> AFP modernization
>
>
> Mr. Estrada said he also sought Clinton's help in modernizing the Philippines'
> ill-equipped military, and the US leader promised to provide surplus defense
> equipment.
>
> He recalled that Clinton replied that the United States ''will be able to give
> that to us.''
>
> He said this would be among the issues he will take up when he makes a state
> visit to the United States next year.
>
> Mr. Estrada said he was invited by Clinton to visit the United States to discuss
> the details of potential assistance and other issues.
>
> He credited the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement, approved by the
> Philippine Senate in May, for Washington's cooperation.
>
> The VFA allows the resumption of large-scale joint military exercises and US
> ship visits to the Philippines.
>
> No jet purchase yet
>
>
> Mr. Estrada said there was still no final decision to purchase New Zealand-made
> Skyhawk fighter jets, which he inspected on Tuesday.
>
> He said that while the government now had the funds to purchase aircraft, he
> wanted to do some more window-shopping in other countries.
>
> ''There is no sure purchase yet,'' he said. ''We are still window-shopping. We
> want to make sure the Armed Forces gets the best for its money.''
>
> He said he had ordered the Air Force commanding general, Lt. Gen. Willie
> Florendo, to visit other countries and inspect the fighter jets they are
> offering for sale.
>
> But he added that while the country had enough funds to buy American-made F-16
> fighters, the P3-billion initial fund for the AFP modernization fund may not be
> enough.
>
> Anti-dike floods
>
>
> The President also announced that Japan would lend the Philippines about P4
> billion for a dike-building project aimed at easing the chronic rainy season
> floods in Metro Manila.
>
> He said Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi told him during bilateral talks in
> Auckland that Tokyo had approved funding for a project to build dikes in the
> flood-prone Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.
>
> ''That project costs more than P4 billion,'' Mr. Estrada said in the radio
> interview. ''We will build dikes there to stop the flooding.''
>
> He said he would not replace Public Works Secretary Gregorio Vigilar, who had
> been severely criticized in the wake of the floods.
>
> ''He has been doing his job well,'' Mr. Estrada said of Vigilar. ''The flood was
> not his fault.''
>
> Waist-deep floods choked large areas of Metro Manila on Friday and Saturday,
> stranding hundreds of thousands of motorists for up to seven hours on Friday
> night.
>
> Agricultural assistance
>
>
> Mr. Estrada also said Jiang had committed to help the Philippines in its
> agricultural modernization efforts.
>
> He said Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara had left for China to study what
> the Philippines may need in terms of equipment and technology.
>
> Angara had said the Philippines could learn so much from China, which has
> succeeded in feeding its 1.2 billion people despite such constraints as
> destructive floods.
>
> Mr. Estrada was set to fly later yesterday to South America for state visits to
> Chile and Argentina. -- With AFP reports
A<>E<>R
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