ASEAN chief commends Arroyo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (AFP): The secretary-general of the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has congratulated new Philippine
\nPresident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and expressed confidence in
\nher support of the regional body.<\/p>\n
In a copy of the letter of congratulations dated Jan. 20 and
\nmade public here on Wednesday, Rodolfo Severino, a Filipino, also
\nexpressed his \"heartfelt hope\" that Arroyo's presidency would
\n\"signify a transition toward strengthened institutions and
\nprocess of government.\"<\/p>\n
In a speech on Tuesday outlining her foreign policy thrusts,
\nArroyo told the diplomatic corps in Manila that Philippine
\nforeign policy decisions will have to be made \"in the context of
\nASEAN.\"<\/p>\n
She also stressed the need to defend the nation's maritime
\nterritory and natural resources, an apparent reference to the
\ndispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea involving
\nChina, Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines
\nand Vietnam.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-chief-commends-arroyo-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}