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Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary-designate Blas Ople vowed in Manila to build closer Philippine-US relations based on mutual respect for sovereignty, common security and shared values of democracy and freedom.
Ople, a two-term senator who has expressed moderate nationalist sentiments throughout his public career, said he does not need to apologize for being a good friend of the United States, the Philippine Star reported Saturday.
Ople, incumbent chairman of the foreign relations committee of the treaty-ratifying Senate, also denied reports that the controversial Philippine-US Mutual Logistics and Support Agreement(MLSA) is being rushed so it could be finished in time for US Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit in Manila next week.
The MLSA drawn by the Philippine and US military earlier this year will allow logistics facilities on Philippine territory for US vessels and aircraft when they come for training exercises and the like. It will also set the guidelines as what weapons would beallowed into the Philippines as well as parameters on troop replacement.
The MLSA must be signed by the Foreign Secretary before it takes effect.
As the replacement of Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., whohad a falling out with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over policy differences, Ople said he would insist on participating in the formulation of foreign policies.
"I do not intend to be a mere figurehead secretary of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). I believe in the integrity of thatinstitution and I will insist on the imposition of certain standards of accountability. I believe that one good boss is better than two bad bosses," he added.
He expressed confidence that he could also work well with former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo, whom he called a good friend. Guingona had previously charged that Romulo headed a parallel DFA with direct access to the President on the formulation of foreign policies.
Ople will take his oath as new Foreign Affairs Secretary next Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2002)
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