S'pore, RP leaders meet to normalize ties ofter hanging<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): The Singaporean and Philippine leaders met here
\nyesterday in an attempt to revive bilateral ties darkened for two
\nyears by the hanging of a Filipina maid.<\/p>\n
\"I'm here to make up for lost time,\" Singapore Prime Minister
\nGoh Chok Tong told a joint news conference with President Fidel
\nRamos, referring to the execution of the maid which ignited
\nnationwide anger and a freeze on Singaporean investment in the
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
Flor Contemplacion was sent to the gallows on March 17, 1995
\nfor the killings of a fellow Filipina and a Singaporean boy.<\/p>\n
There were huge protests in the Philippines in which
\nSingaporean flags were set on fire.<\/p>\n
There were protests by left-wing groups against Goh's visit.<\/p>\n
Ramos said the Philippines was \"highly pleased that, over
\nthese past months, we have not only mended the tear in the fabric
\nof our friendship -- we have also nurtured a new climate of
\nmutual trust between our two countries. \"<\/p>\n
Goh's three-day official visit \"signifies a new climate of
\nmutual confidence in our bilateral relations. We can look forward
\nto a more dynamic partnership with Singapore,\" Ramos said.<\/p>\n
The two leaders discussed setting up a bilateral \"action plan\"
\nwhich Ramos said would serve as a blueprint for cooperation in
\neconomic and diplomatic affairs. It will be reviewed after six
\nmonths.<\/p>\n
They also discussed, and reaffirmed a decision to vote for the
\nadmission of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos into the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next month. ASEAN currently
\ngroups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
\nThailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
The two leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements
\ninvolving a private joint venture steel mill, the setting up of a
\nS$3.4 million funded polytechnic, and a joint study on an urban
\nrenewal strategy for Manila Bay.<\/p>\n
Goh said Singapore, one of the largest employers of overseas
\nFilipino workers and the Philippines' third largest trading
\npartner, would ensure that Filipino workers are treated \"fairly\"
\nand said his government would \"move quickly to address\" similar
\n\"isolated\" incidents in the future.<\/p>\n
Ramos said that following the Flor Contemplacion case, the two
\ncountries were now observing mutually agreed mechanisms on cases
\ninvolving Filipino workers in the city-state.<\/p>\n
Bilateral trade between Singapore and the Philippines rose 21
\npercent from a year earlier to US$3.72 billion, according to
\nSingapore's trade ministry. Singapore investments exceeded US$480
\nmillion at the end of 1996.<\/p>\n
Goh said he sensed there was now \"a spring in the step of the
\nFilipinos\" having achieved modest economic growth during the five
\nyears of Ramos rule, and said that this new-found confidence was
\n\"very important\" in the decision-making of foreign investors.<\/p>\n
\"The Filipino people want to make up for lost time. They've
\nlost many years and they know that if they lose the opportunity
\nagain, then go down to the dumps in the next five years, it will
\nbe very difficult for the country to go up again.\"<\/p>\n
\"You now have come up from the bottom. You're making very good
\nprogress,\" he said. \"I don't think Filipinos would want to throw
\naway that growth.\"<\/p>\n
Ramos, for his part said foreign investors could rest assured
\nthat the reforms under his administration would endure even after
\nhe ends his term next year.<\/p>\n
\"The policy environment is there, embedded in the law. No
\npresident can change it,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Ramos will today accompany Goh to the former U.S. Clark air
\nbase north of Manila which has been turned into an economic zone.
\nGoh is to leave late today.<\/p>",
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