President Bush and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reaffirmed the close cooperation between the two countries on food security, defense and economic development
President Bush also conveyed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo his “deep condolences” on the MV Princess of the Stars sea tragedy and was sending the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, along with other US Navy assets, in the massive retrieval and rescue operations.
The US President lauded President Arroyo’s “carrot and stick” policy in dealing with the problem of terrorism in the Philippines, obviously referring to the government’s “soft and hard approach” or the use of development assistance to attract the lawless back to the folds of the law or the use of military power when the soft approach fails to deliver the desired results.
In her response, President Arroyo pointed out that relations between the Philippines and the United States have ”always been strong and healthy.”
She added that their meeting discussed matters “of mutual importance and concern, like food security, defense cooperation, and economic development.
Bush also assured President Arroyo that the US stands ready to help the Philippines with its rice supply problems. (PIA/Bohol)
