Bush offers US troops to fight Sayyaf rebels

The United States government offered troops yesterday to help fight Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Mindanao, but President Arroyo declined the offer, saying the Armed Forces of the Philippines can deal with the Muslim extremist group.

Meeting with Mrs. Arroyo at the Oval Office in the White House, US President George W. Bush pledged instead military and economic aid to boost the government’s campaign against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Mindanao.

Bush called the assistance "an extension of the US-led war against terrorism in Afghanistan."

At a press briefing afterward, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the fight against terrorism in their own way "no matter how long and wherever it takes."

"We’re going to fight terror wherever (it) exists. And we will work with our allies and friends to use whatever resources we have to win the war," Bush said.

Asked if he would send combat troops to the Philippines, Bush said; "It’s up to the President (Arroyo) to make those decisions. I’ve asked her point-blank, what help do you need. She says she’s got a great military, a competent military. She’s confident that her military can deal with the Abu Sayyaf."

Asked if the Philippine Constitution would allow foreign troops to fight on Philippine soil, Mrs. Arroyo said; "We have to check that. But in any case, as President Bush said, we have a framework on how to fight the Abu Sayyaf, how to fight terrorism in the southwestern part of the Philippines."

"The framework covers what we need in terms of diplomatic assistance, technical assistance, assistance in winning hearts and minds, and military assistance. We have advisors from the US and we have equipment from the US, all those are part of our Mutual Defense Treaty," she said.

In a joint statement, Bush said the US would provide some $100 million "in security assistance" to help the Arroyo administration combat the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim rebel group that engages in kidnapping for ransom.

The Abu Sayyaf has been linked to the al-Qaeda network of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon in Washington D and the World Trace Center in New York City that left more than 5,000 people dead and still missing.

The military package would include UH-1 Huey helicopters for close air support of ground troops pursuing the Abu Sayyaf bandits who are still holding an American missionary couple and over a handful of Filipino hostages in Basilan.

The military package also includes patrol craft and M-16 rifles, a White House official said.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is on a 10-day working visit in the US, reportedly asked for 12 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and four C-130 transport planes, as well as an unmanned reconnaissance plane of the type used by US forces in Afghanistan.

A shopping list submitted by Mrs. Arroyo to Washington stated that the drone would be dedicated to "target acquisition and surveillance" and to gather intelligence.

It was unclear, however, if Washington would provide the materiel as requested.

Mrs. Arroyo said some of the hardware have already been granted, while the others were still under technical evaluation.

On top of the military assistance, Bush said he would ask Congress to provide the Philippines with over $1 billion in trade benefits and declared the country eligible for debt relief under a forest conservation program.

Reuters reported that up to $430 million in debt owed to the US would be affected.

In addition, the White House said it would provide guarantees for agricultural exports worth $150 million, food aid of up to $40 million and a $200-million credit line through the US Overseas Private Investment Corp.

Bush said he would also ask Congress to free up $29 million to help ease poverty, boost economic growth and combat corruption in the Philippines.

The Bush administration said it would grant the Philippines about $100 million in military and security aid for 2001 and 2002.

About $10 million of the amount would be used to counter terrorism, and $20 million to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Reaching out to the Muslims, Bush said he wanted to more than double US assistance to Mindanao where government forces were battling Muslim secessionist rebels on one front, and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists on another front.

Mrs. Arroyo has repeatedly expressed total support for the US-led war against international terrorism, offering the country’s airspace and even combat troops if requested.

In turn, Bush pledged to cooperate in any way Mrs. Arroyo suggests in getting rid of the Abu Sayyaf.

He credited the Philippine leader with having a "clear vision" on how to fight the Abu Sayyaf.

A small number of US military advisers have been sent to Mindanao to help Philippine forces deal with the Muslim guerrillas.

Bush did not rule out use of American combatants in the war against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

The joint statement also said the US would provide the Philippines with a "robust training package" as well as "equipment needed for increased mobility."

Mrs. Arroyo is currently on a 10-day working visit to the US. She said the trip marks the 50th year of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.