/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ August 1, 2002, The Philippine Star, Balikatan 02-1 ends; US long term assistance to begin, by Julie Alipala,
August 1, 2002, The Philippine Star, Balikatan 02-1 ends; US long term assistance to begin, by Julie Alipala,
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August 1, 2002, The Philippine Star, Balikatan 02-1 ends; US long term assistance to begin, by Julie Alipala, PDI Mindanao Bureau and Donna Pazzibugan, in Manila, and Roel Pareño,
Zamboanga City - The controversial Balikatan 02-1 formally end yesterday with a declaration from the highest -ranking US military official in the Asia-Pacific that the RP-US cooperation against terrorism would lead to a longer partnership between the two countries
Philippine and US officials linked arms and exchanged pleasantries, and the American commander of the Balikatan 02-1 received a Legion of Honor.
"Our efforts to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines develop an enduring, self-sustaining counter-terror and counter-insurgency capability did not end with this exercise," US Adm Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Command, said in his speech. "Our assistance will continue as proposed under our long-standing and traditional Mutual Defense Treaty Agreement in the months ahead."
Fargo, who flew into the country to attend the simple but "very intimate" closing ceremony, said the new program of cooperation scheduled to start in October was dubbed the "Long-term Security Assistance Plan."
The two sides pronounced the war games a success and said their troops have broken the backbone of Abu Sayyaf terrorists who were pushed out of Basilan.
Some 1,000 of the 1,6000 US troops who took part in the maneuvers that were held largely in Basilan were headed for their homebase in Okinawa, Japan.
A few of the US soldiers mostly elements of the Navy Seabees and security personnel, will stay behind to tie up some loose ends in their unfinished infrastructure projects on the island.
Armed forces chief Gen Roy Cimatu said the joint exercise successfully ended the year-long hostage crisis in Basilan with the rescue of American hostage Gracia Burnham, although her husband Martin and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap were killed during the rescue operations on June 7.
Adm Thomas Fargo, said Balikatan also code-named "Operation Enduring Freedom: Philippines wound up with success in its war against terrorism sowed by the Abu Sayyaf.
Zamboanga City - The controversial Balikatan 02-1 formally end yesterday with a declaration from the highest -ranking US military official in the Asia-Pacific that the RP-US cooperation against terrorism would lead to a longer partnership between the two countries
Philippine and US officials linked arms and exchanged pleasantries, and the American commander of the Balikatan 02-1 received a Legion of Honor.
"Our efforts to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines develop an enduring, self-sustaining counter-terror and counter-insurgency capability did not end with this exercise," US Adm Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Command, said in his speech. "Our assistance will continue as proposed under our long-standing and traditional Mutual Defense Treaty Agreement in the months ahead."
Fargo, who flew into the country to attend the simple but "very intimate" closing ceremony, said the new program of cooperation scheduled to start in October was dubbed the "Long-term Security Assistance Plan."
The two sides pronounced the war games a success and said their troops have broken the backbone of Abu Sayyaf terrorists who were pushed out of Basilan.
Some 1,000 of the 1,6000 US troops who took part in the maneuvers that were held largely in Basilan were headed for their homebase in Okinawa, Japan.
A few of the US soldiers mostly elements of the Navy Seabees and security personnel, will stay behind to tie up some loose ends in their unfinished infrastructure projects on the island.
Armed forces chief Gen Roy Cimatu said the joint exercise successfully ended the year-long hostage crisis in Basilan with the rescue of American hostage Gracia Burnham, although her husband Martin and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap were killed during the rescue operations on June 7.
Adm Thomas Fargo, said Balikatan also code-named "Operation Enduring Freedom: Philippines wound up with success in its war against terrorism sowed by the Abu Sayyaf.
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