MANILA, Philippines – US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney maintained yesterday that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan which is helping in the retrieval operations of passengers who perished in the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars does not carry any nuclear weapons.
“As a matter of policy, our ships don’t deploy nuclear weapons,” Kenney said in an interview with reporters at the Iloilo airport before she toured Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Staff Gen Alexander Yano on the USS Ronald Reagan.
Kenney, however, clarified that due to the size of the USS Reagan, the vessel could not come near Philippine waters.
“The truth of the matter is they’re so large, they don’t come in close, what we’re using them for is the platform for the helicopters, it’s the helicopters that are important,” she added.
“The plan was not for it (USS Reagan) to be in Philippine waters, mostly because the Reagan is so large, it needs a fair amount of depth to even come in closer and we’re using our helicopters as the primary purpose, it’s a platform,” she added.
President Arroyo, on a trip to the US, said the aircraft carrier will be anchored outside Philippine territorial waters to appease critics who suspect it may be carrying nuclear weapons; their entry into the country is banned by the Constitution.
President Bush offered President Arroyo assistance in the retrieval operations of the ill-fated Princess of the Stars after it capsized in San Fernando, Romblon at the height of typhoon Frank.
“It’s no secret that President Bush ordered us to provide prompt and immediate relief. We are lucky that USS Reagan and some of its ships were in Hong Kong, so they were the closest, they very kindly agreed to steam over here,” said Kenney.
“What I would say is we’re very proud to be here helping, it’s part of the partnership that we have. I’m delighted the Reagan was near enough that it could immediately steam over here,” she added.
She said the USAID had immediately provided disaster relief and they have been helping in distributing the relief supplies. Kenney said the assistance was not charity but a proof of friendship between the US and Philippines.
“We have a plane coming in (Sunday night) with USAID relief goods for about 20,000 families – that’s tents, water cans, hygiene kits, basic relief supplies. Remember the people here are wonderful people. I’ve been down here before – hardworking, high energy, great spirits and our goal is to get them back on their feet,” Kenney added.
“This is not charity; this is helping friends who just need a push in a tough time…That’s certainly our focus, saving lives and getting people back on their feet, getting this part of the country back, being prosperous again.”
Kenney took the rare opportunity to see the American team in the USS Reagan when she toured Yano and Sen. Richard Gordon around the aircraft carrier.
“I just have a look for myself at the great teamwork going on. I haven’t had the chance to see the American team down here, both the sailors and the US the team on the ground, so I will have a chance to just have a look at that very quickly,” she added.
When asked about the duration of the stay of USS Reagan, Kenney said, “As long as it’s needed. Quite truthfully, it was meant to be fast action – quick dispersing, now so many other things are coming online.”