PHILIPPINES/USA: REAGAN WANTS TO MAINTAIN TIES WITH THE PHILIPPINES AS ANGER OVER ELECTION FIGURES CONTINUES
Record ID:
899154
PHILIPPINES/USA: REAGAN WANTS TO MAINTAIN TIES WITH THE PHILIPPINES AS ANGER OVER ELECTION FIGURES CONTINUES
- Title: PHILIPPINES/USA: REAGAN WANTS TO MAINTAIN TIES WITH THE PHILIPPINES AS ANGER OVER ELECTION FIGURES CONTINUES
- Date: 11th February 1986
- Summary: REUTERS - FREDERIC FABRE CUs & GVs Rally in progress. (4 SHOTS) SVT SVs Demonstrators on street PAN TO election board being sprayed with water. (6 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 6th July 2005 14:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES/WASHINGTON, USA
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3TK9LQYLHR7N4CJDI5WESKJ6P
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: United States President Ronald Reagan expressed concern over alleged fraud in the Philippines election on February 10, but told reporters that he wanted to maintain ties and help restore unity there after the bitter political contest. The President was to meet Senator Richard Lugar and Representative John Murtha the following day. The two were leaders of a US delegation sent by Reagan to observe the progress of the election and to assess whether irregularities in the voting system had taken place. Lugar said in Manila prior to the delegations return that his group had found "disturbing reports" of fraud in the February 7 election. Reagan told journalists that he was concerned with the allegations, but said the outcome was ultimately a question for the Filipino people to decide, not the United States. Despite widespread tow-party system" in the island nation. Meanwhile, opposition contender Corazon (Cory) Aquino, who has already proclaimed herself the Philippines President-elect, kept a low profile on February 11 while parliament tried to find a winner of the election. Aquino has vowed to lead demonstrations throughout the Philippines if she is cheated out of victory, and has appealed to the United States to lever President Marcos out of power, os that she can take over. However, as parliament prepared to meet again in an effort to conduct the official count, Aquino aides were unable to say when she would press her demand for a transfer of power. Latest unofficial figures from the government's Commission on Election (Comelec) gave her 4,219,905 votes to 4,627,956 for Marcos. The volunteer National Movement for Free Elections, which has consistently put Aquino ahead since polling booths closed, said she had 6,658,838 votes to Marcos's 5,971,693. Marcos, who has been in power for 20 years, insists he is winning and has threatened to crack down on any opposition attempt to provoke confrontation in the streets. The President has also offered Cory Aquino a job as a top adviser, after the US signal that it wanted a
strong Philippines government with both parties working together if necessary. Marcos made his offer at a hastily called news conference, and although he did not mention her by name, he said he wanted to create an advisory Council of State and that she could join it. he told journalists that the council would be the "highest advisory body of the country" and would include all political groups, former ministers and presidential candidates. Mrs. Aquino, however, has not given any indication of taking the job. Meanwhile, a former provincial governor who supported Mrs. Marcos was shot dead on February 11 while watching the counting of votes int he central Philippines. Police said Evelio Javier was in San Jose, capital of Antique Province on Panay Island, when he was killed by unidentified attackers. Javier's death brings to at least 42 the number of people killed in election-related violence since polling day. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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