VZCZCXRO3275
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #4742/01 3210917
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 170917Z NOV 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3967
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA IMMEDIATE 9475
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3424
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA IMMEDIATE 1142
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 2963
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON IMMEDIATE 3380

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 004742 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP, S/CT, PM, INR/EAP, AND EAP/MTS 
USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO AND J5 
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (TOOLAN/BAILEY) 
JOINT STAFF/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS) 
AID/W FOR ANE/EAA PHILIPPINE DESK OFFICER CALISTA DOWNEY; DAA/ANE 
JAMES KUNDER; ANE/ESA DEBORAH KENNEDY-IRAHETA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS MCAP EAID EFIN PGOV RP
SUBJECT: SIX AMBASSADORS PITCH IN FOR MINDANAO PEACE AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
 
MANILA 00004742  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (U) In a unique effort to demonstrate international support for 
peace and development, Ambassador Kristie Kenney led a group of five 
Ambassadors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the 
United Kingdom in a visit to the conflict-affected Mindanao 
provinces of Zamboanga and Basilan.  The GRP Undersecretary to the 
Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process accompanied the group. The 
Ambassadors expressed their collective interest to bring peace and 
development in Mindanao and support the GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation 
Front (MILF) peace talks.  The Ambassadors discussed their ongoing 
coordination and synergy among their various programs on education 
and job skills enhancement, small business development, improved 
healthcare, agricultural sustainability, poverty alleviation and 
counter-terrorism.  The Ambassadors also discussed security issues 
with Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Commander Lt. General 
Eugenio Cedo and U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) 
Commander.  They met with Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat to 
talk about partnership programs, and, on the island of Basilan, 
discussed economic prospects with Basilan business leaders.  The 
Ambassadors also participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies for U.S., 
Australian and Canadian government development projects in Zamboanga 
and Basilan.  End Summary. 
 
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PROMOTING GREATER COORDINATION AND SYNERGY 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (U) On November 13, 2006, Ambassador Kenney together with 
Ambassador Tony Hely of Australia, Ambassador Peter Sutherland of 
Canada, Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki of Japan, Ambassador David 
Pine of New Zealand, and Ambassador Peter Beckingham of the United 
Kingdom, visited Zamboanga and Basilan, two conflict-affected areas 
in Mindanao.  The rationale for this U.S.-led visit was to 
demonstrate the group's mutual interests in supporting peace and 
development in Mindanao and the GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front 
(MILF) peace talks.  This trip also provided other opportunities. 
For those ambassadors less well traveled in Mindanao, this trip 
deepened their understanding of parts of Mindanao that they had not 
visited due to security concerns; it was an opportunity for them to 
see first hand a sampling of the development programs being 
implemented in Mindanao; they heard in Basilan how economic and 
social prospects there are now brighter as a result of the 
transforming effect of development assistance and military action; 
it was an opportunity to leverage resources from other U.S. partners 
in contributing to peace and development; and, finally, it was an 
opportunity to coordinate, avoid duplication and create synergy 
through our respective development and military assistance efforts. 
By working together as partners, the six countries are effectively 
and efficiently working towards establishing zones of peace and 
prosperity in Mindanao that will spur development throughout the 
Philippines. 
 
¶3.  (U) The USG has adopted an integrated "3-D" (Diplomacy, Defense, 
and Development) approach to supporting peace and development in 
Mindanao. The three-pronged strategy utilizes diplomatic channels to 
partner with and engage GRP agencies to mutually support peace 
initiatives, enhances defense and security by supporting the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to eliminate terrorist recruiting 
grounds and sanctuaries, and carries out a broad spectrum of 
development assistance to improve the quality of life in 
conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.  The approach was 
successfully employed in Basilan, an island province in the Sulu 
archipelago and a former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) stronghold.  USAID 
development assistance provided since 1997, coupled with 
civil-military and humanitarian activities with U.S.-supported AFP 
operations started in 2002, enhanced security and paved the way to 
transforming Basilan into a zone of peace that it is today. 
 
 
 
MANILA 00004742  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
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MILITARY BRIEFING 
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¶4.  (U) WESTMINCOM Commander Lt. General Eugenio Cedo and JSOTF 
Commander briefed the five ambassadors on "Operation Ultimatum," the 
on-going military operations on the island of Jolo targeting the 
senior Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah leadership.  The Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) military operations are more and 
more successful in establishing zones of peace on the island.  And 
civil affairs development projects in conflict-affected villages, 
including the provision of medical treatment, the building of 
schools, community centers, and coordination with USAID and NGO 
assistance, are contributing to overall security by winning the 
hearts and minds of the residents in these communities, separating 
them from terrorist groups. 
 
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MEETING WITH ZAMBOANGA CITY MAYOR LOBREGAT 
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¶5.  (U) The Ambassadors jointly called on Zamboanga City Mayor Celso 
Lobregat who recognized each of the Ambassadors for their respective 
development assistance contributions to Zamboanga City.  A press 
conference followed, and each Ambassador took the opportunity to 
share his or her perspective on the purpose of their visit to 
Mindanao, i.e., the mutual interest in showing support for 
Mindanao's development and the peace process between the Moro 
Islamic Liberation Front and the GRP. 
 
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IMPROVING ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN BASILAN 
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¶6.  (U) In Isabela City on the island of Basilan, the Ambassadors 
met with members of Basilan's three Chambers of Commerce and other 
business leaders at the Filipino fast-food restaurant Jollibee, 
itself a positive indicator of economic growth on the island. 
Discussion centered on current bright business prospects in Basilan, 
what a positive and dramatic change it is from the past, and that 
they were now experiencing the tangible benefits that follow when 
communities reject violence and choose peace and development. 
 
¶7.  (U) A vibrant woman leader, a trustee of the Autonomous Basilan 
Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made the point that this 
unique visit by six  Ambassadors to Basilan was yet another sign, "a 
miracle", that shows the bright future of this island province. The 
Executive Director of another chamber stated, "We are experiencing a 
renaissance, especially in the business sector."  They cited 
Basilan's fertile soil and location in a typhoon-free zone as the 
most attractive features for potential agricultural investments. 
Major products are copra, rubber, coffee, and cassava. Businessmen 
indicated that U.S. business interests present in the sixties 
disappeared during the conflict years, but that several U.S. firms, 
like Cargill and Coca Cola, were now present on the island. Cell 
coverage is adequate and the mood of businessmen good. They are 
hoping to tap into the tourism market, building hotels, and looking 
in particular at developing nearby Malimaui Island as a beach 
resort, initially for domestic tourism.  They see the wisdom of 
protecting coral reefs and have already established one marine 
sanctuary. They cited the need for assistance in protecting their 
coastal and fishery resources and cited dynamite fishing as a 
particular problem they are working to solve.  Among the constraints 
to business development, they cited the high cost of power, poor 
land line phone connections, and the need for more farm-to-market 
roads. 
¶8.  (U) Some of these leaders appealed for more development 
assistance, e.g., the mayor requested a fire truck. However, some of 
the younger leaders made the refreshing point that they have work to 
do on their own to take advantage of the opportunities which their 
secure environment now offers them. 
 
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PROJECTS HELP IMPROVE LIVES OF RESIDENTS 
 
MANILA 00004742  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
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¶9.  (U) The Ambassadors participated in three events highlighting 
U.S., Australian, and Canadian Government support to improve the 
lives of Zamboanga and Basilan residents.  Ambassador Kenney turned 
over to the Parent-Teacher-Community Association (PTCA) of the 
Islamic Institute of the Philippines, a madrasah school in Zamboanga 
City, a USAID-funded Computer Literacy and Internet Connection 
(CLIC) Program and an EASE Matching Grant package consisting of 14 
computers, internet connection, a local area network, printers, 
software, and a range of computer reference materials.  The USAID's 
CLIC Program helps bridge the digital divide by partnering with 
PTCAs of high schools which do not have access to the internet. 
USAID has assisted 425 schools in conflict affected areas of 
Mindanao, benefiting nearly 400,000 students and more than 11,000 
teachers. 
 
¶10.  (U) Australian Ambassador Hely inaugurated the Australian 
Agency for International Development (AUSAID)-assisted Community 
Learning Center in Sabong, Basilan.  The Basic Education Assistance 
for Mindanao (BEAM) Project supports school age children and adults 
in remote and disadvantaged groups gain access to quality formal or 
non-formal school programs. The Sabong Community Learning Center 
received support for the conduct of early childhood classes for 
pre-school children, functional literacy and livelihood enterprise 
skills training for parents, and non-formal education accreditation 
and equivalency for out-of-school youth.  AUSAID has assisted 60 
communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 
 
¶11.  (U) Canadian Ambassador Sutherland handed to Basilan Governor 
Wahab Akbar computer equipment to support the computerization of the 
local government unit's financial management information system. 
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)-funded Local 
Governance Support Program in the Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Mindanao works with the region's 101 municipalities in supporting 
the development of well-functioning local governments as catalysts 
for poverty reduction and peace. 
 
¶12.  (U) Even on this relatively peaceful island there is more work 
to be done.  Basilan Provincial Governor stated, "The Abu Sayyaf is 
not our problem.  Our number one enemy is poverty; our number two 
enemy is illiteracy.  Once we solve these, we will have peace and 
prosperity in Basilan."  The lack of opportunity for youth, 
especially out-of-school youth, was also cited as a major problem. 
This was apparent at one of our stops.  As we participated in 
celebrating the turnover of assistance in this particular community, 
a group of young men stood to the side and appeared disinterested in 
the event. 
 
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COMMENTS 
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¶13.  (SBU) The Ambassadors' trip to Zamboanga and Basilan, which 
received considerable press here, in addition to demonstrating the 
U.S., Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, and U.K. 
Governments' collective commitment to supporting peace and 
development in Mindanao, represented a conscious effort to better 
harness individual donor assistance programs, in concert with the 
Philippines Development Forum's Mindanao Working Group, into a 
comprehensive strategy to address development, peace and security in 
the southern Philippines. The participation of the GRP's Office of 
the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process and other local 
government officials, as well as the trip logistics support provided 
by the Armed Forces of the Philippines reflected our close 
partnership with the GRP.  Finally, this landmark travel to 
conflict-affected areas of Mindanao by six Ambassadors was the 
result of an impressive U.S. Country Team effort.  Several of the 
Ambassadors noted that the U.S. Embassy-provided briefing materials 
greatly expanded their knowledge of international development and 
defense programs in Mindanao. 
KENNEY