HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57937-2002Apr16.html U.S. to Keep Supporting Philippines -More than 600 U.S. troops, including 160 from the Special Forces, have been here since January as part of a significant U.S. expansion of its war on terrorism. -Talks are ongoing between Manila and Washington about extending the U.S. presence by six months, but Blair said he doesn't see troops staying "for years and years." By Tini Tran Associated Press Writer Tuesday, April 16, 2002; 4:43 AM ZAMBOANGA, Philippines �� Expanded American support of the Philippines' fight against Muslim extremists will continue as Southeast Asia faces new threats of "lawlessness," a top U.S. military official said Tuesday. Adm. Dennis Blair, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, said Washington remains committed to the Philippine campaign of crushing the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, which has been holding American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham on the southern island of Basilan for more than 10 months. "The important thing that we have is the commitment of the U.S. to help the Philippines beat the Abu Sayyaf," he said. Blair, who retires May 2, arrived in the southern Philippines on Monday to meet with U.S. troops conducting a six-month counterterrorism exercises for local forces. "I'm very encouraged by the progress made," said Blair. "What I've seen has exceeded my expectations." He called the anti-terror campaign a "winning combination" of U.S. high-tech military strength and Philippine "local knowledge." More than 600 U.S. troops, including 160 from the Special Forces, have been here since January as part of a significant U.S. expansion of its war on terrorism. Blair declined to comment on reports that Washington is helping broker negotiations on the Burnhams' release, but repeated that the U.S.-backed Philippine campaign against the rebels has been stepped up. "The goal with regard to the Burnhams is to keep increasing the pressure on the Abu Sayyaf. Keep them on the run. Make them realize it's in their interests to release the hostages unharmed," he said. The Burnhams are from Wichita, Kan. The threats to peace and stability in Southeast Asia have changed, Blair said. "The threats now are the scenes of lawlessness which exist in various parts of the region, from international terrorists to crime and narcotics, and illegal migration," he said. The common campaign against terrorism has yielded "extraordinary" results as countries come together, Blair said, pointing to the cooperation with the Philippines. Talks are ongoing between Manila and Washington about extending the U.S. presence by six months, but Blair said he doesn't see troops staying "for years and years." Blair said there are plans to send an additional 300 troops to assist in engineering and infrastructure projects "soon," but did not elaborate. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
