Strengthening US-RP relations

Distinguished Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America Paul W. Jones recently visited Cebu for a battery of one-on-one meetings with local government representatives and business leaders. His two-day hectic schedule included a courtesy call on Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, a visit to Fairchild Semiconductors at the Mactan Export Processing Zone, a stop at the Peace Corp and Midwife Clinic.

A luncheon was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce officials, attended by a number of presidents from the different Chambers. Jones assured everyone that the US government will continue to work hand in hand with the Philippine officials to strengthen and enhance the relations between the two nations. He also expressed their full support in the campaign against global terrorism.

At the end of Jones' fruitful stint, US Consular Agent in Cebu John Domingo hosted a cocktail reception for the visiting diplomat and his wife Catherine at the Grand Ballroom of the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Deputy House Speaker Raul del Mar led the roster of government dignitaries which included Representative Nerissa Soon Ruiz and Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama.

The officers of the American Embassy were Vice Consul Long Nguyen, Judy Reinke from the Commercial Section and Stacy Mac Haggard representing the Embassy's Public Relations Division.

The Cebu-based Diplomatic Corps came in full force, as well. They were Honorary Consuls Enrique Benedicto - Belgium, Ben Dapat - Denmark, Richard Forteau - France, Augusto Go - Korea, Grand Benedicto - Romania, Jaime Picornell - Spain, Jose Sala - Sweden and Moya Jackson - United Kingdom.

Other guests were from different civic clubs, such as, Rotarians Orlando Israel, Edgar Chiongbian, Sergio Romero, Amay Ong Vaño and Rene Kintanar. The American Chamber of Commerce had its president Stan Combs and active members Mila Espina, Alice Fernandez, Karl Hudson, Roger Lim, Maris Araneta and Danny Deen. Paul W. Jones, a graduate of the State Departments Senior Seminal which is the premier education and training program for US diplomats, served as the United States Deputy Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Vienna, Austria and was Deputy Chief of Mission at the EU Embassy in Skopje, Macedonia. He also had assignments in Russia, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the State Department in Washington D.C., he was Director of the Executive Secretariat Staff, supporting the Secretary of State and was also Director of the Office for South Central Europe, responsible for US policy in the Balkans. Welcome to the island of Cebu!