[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-

[[Page 1355]]

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.

[[Page 1356]]

    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.