[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 43 (Monday, October 27, 2003)]
[Pages 1430-1431]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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-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.

[[Page 1431]]

    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.
    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.