RP says U.S. has strong case against bin Laden<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Manila<\/p>\n
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo believes United States
\nevidence apparently linking Osama bin Laden to last month's
\nterrorist atrocities is \"convincing\", her national security
\nadviser said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Roilo Golez said that U.S. charge d'affaires Robert Fitts
\ncalled on Arroyo late Wednesday and presented her with \"a
\ndetailed summary of evidence\" against bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda
\nnetwork.<\/p>\n
The classified information was the same as presented to
\nWashington's NATO allies and listed past crimes blamed on the
\nSaudi militant living under Taliban shelter in Afghanistan, Golez
\nsaid in a statement.<\/p>\n
\"In particular, the information showed that some of the
\nterrorists involved in the air strikes also took part in past
\nterrorist attacks on U.S. targets that resulted in hundreds of
\ndeaths to civilians, U.S. military personnel and nationals of the
\nhost country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bin Laden has been indicted in the United States for the 1998
\nbombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa and is also blamed
\nfor the bomb attack on the USS Cole destroyer at port in Aden,
\nsouthern Yemen.<\/p>\n
\"At the briefing, President Macapagal Arroyo stated that she
\nfound the presentation very convincing and reiterated her support
\nto the U.S. and the international coalition against terrorism,\"
\nGolez said.<\/p>\n
The Philippines has agreed to open its airspace to U.S.
\nmilitary aircraft as well as its international airports for re-
\nfueling and supply purposes.<\/p>\n
Arroyo has also vowed to lead the creation of a regional anti-
\nterrorism coalition along with Malaysia and Indonesia. Manila is
\nbattling Moro separatist rebellions in the southern Philippines.<\/p>\n
Philippine officials are expected to formalize the proposal
\nfor the anti-terrorism front at an annual summit of Southeast
\nAsian leaders in Brunei in November.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-says-us-has-strong-case-against-bin-laden-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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