Same terms to govern next Balikatan

The next military exercises between the Philippines and the United States may follow the same terms of reference as that of the "Balikatan 02-1" that wraps up next month in Basilan and Zamboanga City, Malacañang said yesterday.

Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable told reporters President Arroyo has publicly expressed her desire for a continuing anti-terrorism training exercise after Balikatan 02-1.

"The venue and nature of the (next) exercise, we cannot say at this point," Afab-le said. "The President has expressed support for a continuing series of Balikatan exercises and I would presume that between this time and July 31, the process would commence for a continuation of the series of exercises."

Mrs. Arroyo said Saturday she wanted a wider or "geographically spread" war exercise when the ongoing Balikatan ends.

"By the time July 31 comes, I hope that they have the next Balikatan already worked out," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo made the announcement a few hours before US President George W. Bush called her up at Malacañang last Saturday.

Afable said he was not privy to the conversation between Mrs. Arroyo and Bush.

"I can only go by the reports that came out of Washington," he said. "I have not been informed by the President about this conversation and that I understand, it also followed the earlier message sent to (US) Ambassador (Francis) Ricciardone.

"And the speech of President Bush in the US was that he is happy about the strength of the coalition (with the Philippines) that has been formed and is working against terrorism," Afable said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the specifics of the next Balikatan military exercises will be hammered out during a meeting between Armed Forces chief Gen. Roy Cimatu and Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander-in-chief of US forces in the Pacific. – Marichu Villanueva