JARO,
Iloilo—The country’s standoff with China over Panatag
(Scarborough) Shoal would be one of the main points in the bilateral talks
between President Benigno Aquino III and world leaders British Prime Minister
David Cameron and US President Barack Obama when he visits London on June 4,
and the United States from June 6 to 8.
“We’d
talk about the conditions in the West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Aquino said when
asked about his London visit.
On his
visit to the United States next week, Mr. Aquino will be welcomed at the Oval
Office by US President Obama, according to Foreign Secretary Albert del
Rosario.
“[The
two leaders] will discuss a broad range of bilateral, regional and global
issues that reflect the multifaceted nature of the two countries’ strategic
partnership,” Del Rosario said in a statement.
“I
assume that… Prime Minister David Cameron will also inquire as to the status
(of the standoff). (The West Philippine Sea) is a body of water where quite a
substantial amount of world trade has to pass through,” the President said in
an interview.
“So
it’s a matter of concern for everybody if things change that will restrict the
free flow of goods and services (in this) particular body of water,” he added.
President
Aquino recently appointed career diplomat Sonia Brady to a posting in Beijing.
Old hand
“She’s
been there. She knows who to talk to, she knows the system, she knows our
concerns,” Mr. Aquino said of his expectations from the country’s new
ambassador to China who has since been confirmed by the Commission on
Appointments.
4th meeting
It will
be the fourth meeting between the two presidents in a span of two years. The two leaders were also at the September
2010 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-United States (Asean-US) Leaders
Meeting in New York, the September 2011 launch of the Open Government
Partnership (OGP) also in New York, and the November 18, 2011, Asean-US
Leaders’ Meeting in Bali.
US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will host a luncheon in honor of the
President and his delegation at the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room of the
State Department in Washington, DC, Del Rosario said.
The
President will also meet with leaders of the US Senate at a reception organized
by Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel K. Inouye at the US.Capitol, and with
members of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles on his way back to
Manila.
The
Inquirer has learned that “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez will sing
at the Fil-Am reception for the President.
‘Heightened engagement’
The DFA
statement said Mr. Aquino’s US visit reflected the “heightened engagement”
between the Philippines and the US, as evidenced by the “upward trajectory of
high-level exchanges,” including the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, the visits
of US Congressional delegations to the Philippines, and the recent 2+2 Meetings
in Washington, DC.
Del
Rosario added that President Aquino will be the guest of honor at the launch of
the US-Philippines Society, a private sector initiative designed to encourage
economic ties, promote trade and investment, support common strategic and
political goals, and strengthen cultural, technological, educational, and
people-to-people linkages between the two countries.
The
Society is cochaired by Ambassador John D. Negroponte for the US side and
Manuel V. Pangilinan for the Philippines, and Washington Z. Sycip and Maurice
“Hank” Greenberg as honorary chairs.
Eminent business leaders from both countries comprise the Society’s
Board.
Norman
Bordadora, Tina G. Santos
Philippine
Daily Inquirer
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