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Clinton on visit to Philippines Clinton vows Philippines support
(about 13 hours later)
Hillary Clinton is making her first visit to the Philippines as US Secretary of State. Hillary Clinton has pledged continued US support for the Philippines in the fight against southern Islamist rebels.
During her two-day visit she plans to visit typhoon victims and talk about the country's 2010 elections. In her first visit to the Philippines as US secretary of state, she also highlighted the US military's role in relief work after devastating typhoons.
There is speculation she will also discuss security issues in the Muslim south, where US troops are active. About 600 US troops are in the country providing training and intelligence for the Philippine army fighting the separatist rebels.
Hillary Clinton says her visit will be a show of solidarity to the Filipino people following the worst storms here in 40 years. She also visited a badly damaged high school and pledged $5m (£3m) in aid.
"I would just reiterate that the United States stands ready to assist our friends in the Philippines who are seeking to counter terrorism and the threat of extremism and we will be willing to support them in any way that is appropriate that they request," Mrs Clinton said after meeting Philippine President Gloria Arroyo and Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo at the beginning of her two-day visit.
"We were very pleased that we can respond quickly with our military assets," she said, referring to joint US-Philippine rescue work during widespread floods caused by several back-to-back typhoons.
"Filipino and American doctors worked side-by-side to help thousands of flood victims. We saw our military forces working together to airlift thousands of tons of food, equipment and other vital cargo."
US troops will continue to provide assistance in the Philippines, she said.
Not all Filipinos want US troops in their country
Sources close to the secretary of state say Mrs Clinton will also take the opportunity to reject calls to renegotiate the stationing of US troops in the south.Sources close to the secretary of state say Mrs Clinton will also take the opportunity to reject calls to renegotiate the stationing of US troops in the south.
Senators in the Philippines have called for an amendment to the Visiting Forces Agreement, a pact which allows American troops to be based in the country. The US says the soldiers are taking part in training.Senators in the Philippines have called for an amendment to the Visiting Forces Agreement, a pact which allows American troops to be based in the country. The US says the soldiers are taking part in training.
But those in opposition to the agreement question the troops' true purpose in the south, where Islamist militants have been fighting for an independent homeland for decades.But those in opposition to the agreement question the troops' true purpose in the south, where Islamist militants have been fighting for an independent homeland for decades.
Mrs Clinton is also expected to relay Washington's desire for a clean election and smooth transition of power in May 2010 when the country elects a new leader. Burma call
The former US colony has seen a fresh wave of violence in the south ahead of the visit. Mrs Clinton also used her visit to urge Burma's military leaders to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, applying pressure before the prime minister, Thein Sein, is expected to meet President Barack Obama at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Singapore on Sunday.
A teacher kidnapped by Islamic separatists was beheaded earlier this week, and a group of gunmen abducted three people in the south on Tuesday. "We are trying to encourage Burma to conduct the kind of internal dialogue with all the stakeholders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, that could lead to there being fair, free and credible elections next year," she said.
Ms Suu Kyi has spent 14 of the last 20 years in detention. Her house arrest was extended earlier this year by 18 months, meaning she can not participate in the elections.
Her National League for Democracy won elections in 1990 but the military never recognised the victory.