    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 18, 2003]
    [Pages 1354-1356]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of
    the Philippines
    October 18, 2003

        President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warmly welcomed President George W. Bush to Malacanang
    today for the first State visit of an American President to Manila in
    over 30 years. As the two Presidents highlighted during President
    Macapagal-Arroyo's State visit to the United States last May, the ties
    between the Philippine and American peoples are deeply rooted in shared
    history and values, as well as in a shared commitment to global peace,
    security and prosperity.
        President Macapagal-Arroyo
    expressed her appreciation for the support extended by President Bush to
    the Veteran Equity bills pending in both houses of the U.S. Congress,
    designed to enhance benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II
    residing in the United States. Both Presidents noted that the American
    and Filipino fighting men of World War II remain a strong bond between
    the peoples of both nations. President Bush announced the doubling of
    U.S. funding for medical equipment at the Veterans Medical Center in
    Quezon City. President Bush highlighted his respect for the impressive
    contributions of Filipino-Americans to American social, cultural and
    economic life.
        The two Presidents focused their
    discussion on the security challenges facing the United States and the
    Philippines, agreeing that the U.S.-Philippine partnership has taken on
    new vitality and importance in the context of the global war on
    terrorism. Presidents Macapagal-Arroyo and Bush reviewed recent
    successes in the war on terrorism, noting with satisfaction that a
    number of terrorist killers have been brought to justice. They agreed
    that while progress had been made in attacking terrorist organizations
    both globally and regionally, much work remains to be done.
        President Bush praised President Macapagal-Arroyo's courage and strength in confronting terrorism
    in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. He expressed particular
    appreciation for Philippine initiatives to improve and expand
    international counterterrorism cooperation and thanked President
    Macapagal-Arroyo for her leadership working with key ASEAN partners to
    address the terrorist threat on a regional basis. The two leaders agreed
    that such cooperation, particularly in the area of information sharing,
    is an essential component of the war on terrorism.
        In recognition of the strength and vitality of the alliance, as well
    as its vital role in promoting regional security and combating global
    terrorism, President Bush informed President Macapagal-Arroyo that he had designated the Philippines as a
    Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA). President Macapagal-

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    Arroyo thanked President Bush for this honor and expressed hope that
    this move would facilitate the modernization of the Philippine Armed
    Forces and the strengthening of our defense partnership.
        In keeping with their May 19 pledge to conduct a comprehensive
    security assessment, the two Presidents also reviewed and endorsed the findings of the 2003
    Joint Defense Assessment (JDA) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines'
    capabilities and requirements. The purpose of the JDA is to assist the
    government of the Philippines in developing a defense program that will
    improve the ability of the Philippine military to respond to threats to
    Philippine security.
        President Arroyo noted the
    determination of her government to move forward on an ambitious program
    of military reform, including increased allocation of resources to
    Philippine national defense. President Bush committed to assist the
    Philippines in this effort.
        The two Presidents agreed that
    their respective defense establishments would embark on a multi-year
    plan to implement the key recommendations of the Joint Defense
    Assessment. They agreed to direct their defense establishments to
    finalize details of the plan and begin its implementation.
        President Macapagal-Arroyo
    welcomed substantial new U.S. programs of law enforcement training,
    equipment, and expertise in support of her efforts to strengthen the
    rule of law and to reform and strengthen the Philippines National Police
    and other law enforcement agencies.
        President Bush commended President Macapagal-Arroyo for her steadfast leadership in pursuing
    economic reforms in the Philippines and welcomed her pledge to maintain
    resolve in pursuing reforms in revenue collection, energy privatization
    and intellectual property rights protection.
        President Bush praised President Macapagal-Arroyo's determination to alleviate poverty and other
    socio-economic grievances that are too often exploited by terrorist
    organizations to recruit followers. President Arroyo welcomed the new,
    six year U.S. initiative to strengthen education in the poorest areas of
    the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, as supportive of her efforts.
    This new program complements the Philippine government's efforts to
    uplift the communities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
    (ARMM) and expand their access to education and training.
        The two Presidents discussed the
    Philippine government's efforts to establish a durable, effective peace
    with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They expressed
    appreciation for Malaysia's role in facilitating the negotiating
    process. President Bush emphasized U.S. willingness to provide
    diplomatic and financial assistance in support of peace but emphasized
    that the MILF must first fully renounce terror and demonstrate its
    commitment to peaceful political negotiations.
        Presidents Bush and Macapagal-Arroyo discussed the situation in Iraq. The two leaders
    reiterated their shared commitment to a free Iraq at peace with its
    neighbors and expressed unwavering determination to continue the
    important work of helping the Iraqi people build a stable, just and
    prosperous country that poses no threat to the world. President Bush
    thanked President Macapagal-Arroyo for the contributions made by the
    Philippines to security and reconstruction in Iraq. The two Presidents
    affirmed the vital role of the United Nations in postwar Iraq and
    stressed the need for more countries to contribute peacekeeping and
    humanitarian contingents to Iraq as that country prepares for
    sovereignty under a democratic regime.
        The two leaders welcomed the six
    party talks in Beijing and reiterated their intention to work with other
    members of the Asia Pacific region to ensure the complete, verifiable
    and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

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        President Bush congratulated the Philippines on its nomination by
    Asian countries to join the United Nations Security Council and
    expressed confidence that the Philippines would contribute to global
    peace and security.
        President Bush and President Macapagal-Arroyo concluded the visit by celebrating the impressive
    gains made in Philippine-U.S. relations under their administrations,
    expressing confidence that today's State visit marks another concrete
    step forward in the development of a modern, mature relationship between
    friends and equals.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.