- Title: Top American diplomat says U.S. remains strong Philippine ally
- Date: 24th October 2016
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (OCTOBER 24, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT PHILIPPINE FOREIGN AFFAIRS EMBLEM U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, DANIEL RUSSEL, WALKING ALONG HALLWAY RUSSEL WALKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC, DANIEL RUSSEL, SAYING: "For our part, the United States remains steady, and I hope trusted partner, strong ally. We stand ready to honour our commitments. We stand by international law and we stand by the Philippines." CAMERA OPERATORS FILMING (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC, DANIEL RUSSEL, SAYING: "Your friends are also concerned about the loss of life in connection with the counter-narcotics campaign. Now, we strongly support the effort against the scourge of drugs, and I explained the ways that the United States can and does assist the Philippines in protecting your communities against the danger from illegal drugs that flow into your country from overseas." CAMERA OPERATOR FILMING (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC, DANIEL RUSSEL, SAYING: "We support direct dialogue, negotiations between the Philippines and China, as long as they take place on terms that is acceptable to the Philippines. As long as they are consistent with international law. So it's a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing somehow come at the expense of the United States." RUSSEL WALKING OUT OF BUILDING CAMERA OPERATORS FILMING PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY PERFECTO YASAY WALKING TO JOURNALISTS JOURNALISTS INTERVIEWING YASAY (SOUNDBITE)(English) PHILIPPINE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY, PERFECTO YASAY, SAYING: "There is a continuing need for us to make sure that we get to talk to each other and try to resolve whatever differences and clarifications that will have to be made, and I have committed myself to that, because it is very important that we continue to also to talk to make sure that there will be no 'mis'understanding on how our friendship and our strong relations would proceed." YASAY EXITING BUILDING
- Embargoed: 8th November 2016 05:53
- Keywords: Philippines USA Rodrigo Duterte Daniel Russel allies
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00155D5IYV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The most senior U.S. diplomat for Asia said on Monday (October 24) that the United States remains a "steady and trusted" partner of the Philippines, but was concerned about recent controversial statements made by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"For our part, the United States remains steady, and I hope trusted partner, strong ally. We stand ready to honour our commitments. We stand by international law and we stand by the Philippines," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel told journalists after meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
Russel said that while the United States supports Manila's "effort against the scourge of drugs", Washington was concerned over the loss of lives, which is "not a positive trend" and is "bad for business as well".
Russel added Washington supports the improvement of bilateral ties between Manila and Beijing, dismissing claims that it will come at an expense to the Philippines' closest ally.
The visit by Russel came amid confusion over Manila's ties with Washington, with President Rodrigo Duterte saying on Saturday (October 22) the United States remains the Philippine's "closest friend," after earlier provoking alarm by announcing his country's "separation" from the United States and realignment with China.
"There is a continuing need for us to make sure that we get to talk to each other and try to resolve whatever differences and clarifications that will have to be made, and I have committed myself to that, because it is very important that we continue to also to talk to make sure that there will be no 'mis'understanding on how our friendship and our strong relations would proceed," said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
The United States has been one of the Philippine's largest trading partners and its closest security ally for about 70 years. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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