AI
Saturday, July 24, 2004 6:34:02 PM
Had the Philippines not pulled more troops from Iraq there would have been a strong possibility of increased terrorists’ attacks in the Philippines which would have been used as a pretext for pushing through a planned U.S. deployment in the Philippines per a "private agreement" with Filipino officials for a direct U.S. role in fighting terrorists.
The U.S. foray into the Philippines is just the first step in a wider operation envisioned against Islamic insurgencies in Southeast Asia.
On the campaign against terrorism, the Australia and the US agreed that South East Asia was a key front, affirming the importance of working with regional governments against a common threat.
#msg-3542419
The United States, however, may be underestimating the risks of engaging in combat in the region for the first time since the Vietnam War. Already, the White House has stepped into a quagmire of unintended consequences.
The Pentagon's leak of a "private agreement" with Filipino officials for a direct U.S. role in fighting the terror group triggered a political crisis in the Philippines, because the country's constitution forbids foreign troops from operating on its soil. The provision is implicitly aimed at the United States, which had to close down its local military bases in 1992.
The agreement has led to loud calls in Manila for the ouster of "traitorous" defense officials. Opposition parties are accusing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Americanizing the fight against domestic unrest, specifically against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the strongest Muslim rebel force, which has 20,000 fighters and controls "liberated territories" on the big island of Mindanao.
http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=713013b4811f4cd741f2e3b2f805343f
Why the U.S. is Itching to Fight in the Philippines
News Analysis, Rene P. Ciria-Cruz,
Pacific News Service, Mar 05, 2003
A deadly bombing came in the wake of Washington's decision to shelve its plan to send special forces to the Philippines to directly engage the Abu Sayyaf. However, the desire to stake out a U.S. military presence remains, and the plan could be revived in the future.
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently ruled out the use of U.S. combat troops against the Abu Sayyaf terror gang, quieting speculations that the deadly March 3 bombing in the Davao City airport on the island of Mindanao could be used as a pretext for pushing through with the planned deployment.
However, the plan could spring to life again. With pre-emption driving the foreign policy of President George W. Bush, there is one reason Washington is eager to fight the ragtag band of kidnappers: location.
http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=a6fd6ed7f7ea38531ed7f7853ae7c383
The U.S. foray into the Philippines is just the first step in a wider operation envisioned against Islamic insurgencies in Southeast Asia.
On the campaign against terrorism, the Australia and the US agreed that South East Asia was a key front, affirming the importance of working with regional governments against a common threat.
#msg-3542419
The United States, however, may be underestimating the risks of engaging in combat in the region for the first time since the Vietnam War. Already, the White House has stepped into a quagmire of unintended consequences.
The Pentagon's leak of a "private agreement" with Filipino officials for a direct U.S. role in fighting the terror group triggered a political crisis in the Philippines, because the country's constitution forbids foreign troops from operating on its soil. The provision is implicitly aimed at the United States, which had to close down its local military bases in 1992.
The agreement has led to loud calls in Manila for the ouster of "traitorous" defense officials. Opposition parties are accusing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Americanizing the fight against domestic unrest, specifically against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the strongest Muslim rebel force, which has 20,000 fighters and controls "liberated territories" on the big island of Mindanao.
http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=713013b4811f4cd741f2e3b2f805343f
Why the U.S. is Itching to Fight in the Philippines
News Analysis, Rene P. Ciria-Cruz,
Pacific News Service, Mar 05, 2003
A deadly bombing came in the wake of Washington's decision to shelve its plan to send special forces to the Philippines to directly engage the Abu Sayyaf. However, the desire to stake out a U.S. military presence remains, and the plan could be revived in the future.
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently ruled out the use of U.S. combat troops against the Abu Sayyaf terror gang, quieting speculations that the deadly March 3 bombing in the Davao City airport on the island of Mindanao could be used as a pretext for pushing through with the planned deployment.
However, the plan could spring to life again. With pre-emption driving the foreign policy of President George W. Bush, there is one reason Washington is eager to fight the ragtag band of kidnappers: location.
http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=a6fd6ed7f7ea38531ed7f7853ae7c383
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