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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6244
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000070 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2020 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINS MOPS RP
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY'S FAREWELL DINNER FOR THE 
AMBASSADOR 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reason: 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C)  Summary:  Foreign Secretary Romulo hosted on January 
11 an intimate cabinet dinner for departing Ambassador 
Kenney.  In a brief preliminary meeting with the Ambassador, 
Romulo stressed his gratitude for strong military-to-military 
relations, for U.S. disaster relief during flooding and the 
recent volcano activity, and for progress made towards an MCC 
compact.  He stressed the importance the GRP placed on the 
upcoming NPT review and his pleasure that Special 
Representative Susan Burk would be arriving in a few weeks 
for preparatory meetings.  Romulo reiterated the GRP's 
commitment to work within ASEAN to keep pressure on Burma. 
DFA U/S lead negotiator with the MILF Rafael Seguis thanked 
the Ambassador for U.S. support to the peace process, while 
conveying his concern that a comprehensive agreement might 
not be reached by the end of the Arroyo Administration. 
Offering a toast to the Ambassador during a dinner which 
included Secretary of Defense Bert Gonzales, Cabinet 
Secretary Ermita, Finance Secretary Teves and Presidential 
advisor Poblador, Romulo listed his four greatest moments as 
Foreign Secretary -- and first on the list was Secretary 
Clinton's recent visit.  End Summary. 
 
Tour D'Horizon 
-------------- 
 
¶2.  (C)  In a brief preliminary meeting Secretary Romulo, 
accompanied by U/S Seguis and A/S for North America 
Yparraguire, thanked the Ambassador for her contributions and 
cited improved military-to-military relations as a key 
achievement.  Romulo offered his gratitude for U.S. disaster 
relief efforts, and expressed the Arroyo administration's 
delight at progress on MCC compact negotiations.  He 
expressed his hope that, as the deadline nears for veterans 
to apply for one-time benefits under the Filipino Veterans' 
Equity Compensation program, the Embassy would reinvigorate 
outreach.  The Ambassador assured him we would redouble our 
efforts over the next five weeks until the deadline.  The 
Ambassador in turn thanked the DFA Secretary for his able 
leadership, and noted we particularly appreciated the GRP's 
principled stance on Burma.  The Ambassador reminded of our 
efforts to engage the Burmese but said we would need 
continued strong support from our ASEAN partners to push 
Burma.  We need to see some movement from the Burmese in the 
right direction.  Romulo agreed and assured the Ambassador 
that the GRP would continue to press ASEAN colleagues to keep 
the pressure on Burma.  The Ambassador noted our confidence 
in the Philippines' leadership of the NPT review conference, 
prompting Romulo to assure her it was a high priority and 
express his delight that Special Representative Burk would 
travel to Manila for preparatory meetings.  He also 
reiterated President Arroyo's commitment to attend the 
Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April. 
 
¶3.  (C)  Turning to the peace process, U/S Seguis expressed 
his government's gratitude for U.S. support for the ongoing 
process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 
Recent talks had not been productive, and Seguis now doubted 
that a comprehensive agreement could be reached before the 
end of the Arroyo Administration.  Nonetheless, he would 
continue to engage, in the hopes of a breakthrough.  The 
Ambassador noted that, even in the absence of a comprehensive 
agreement, current talks could lay a strong foundation for 
the next Administration to build on.  Moreover, talks meant 
the cease-fire would remain in place.  Seguis agreed, and 
later told the DCM that Malaysian facilitator Othman would be 
in Manila soon to consult with both sides and the 
International Contact Group (UK, Japan, and Turkey, along 
with international NGOs) to look for a way forward. 
 
Greatest Hits 
------------- 
 
¶4.  (C)  During the dinner with select cabinet members, 
Secretary Romulo also confided that he had invited Senator 
Inouye to visit the Philippines and hoped to see the Senator 
here in April.  He himself planned to serve President Arroyo 
until the end of the Administration and had no onward plans 
after the change in Administration.  In remarks to the guests 
he listed his four greatest moments as Secretary, and first 
among them was Secretary Clinton's recent visit. 
KENNEY