Clinton praises RP war veterans

Clinton praises RP war veterans

MANILA (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton paid tribute
yesterday to Filipinos and Americans who fought to liberate the
Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.

A message from Clinton was read out at a gathering of World
War II veterans in Manila before the 50th anniversary of the
landing of allied forces in Leyte island on Oct. 20, 1944.

"I join you in honoring all those who lost their lives in that
valiant mission. On this important occasion, I call upon all
Americans to rededicate themselves to defending the ideal of
liberty that these courageous veterans fought and died to
uphold," Clinton said.

The president will visit the Philippines next month to
reaffirm ties strained by the expulsion of U.S. forces in 1992,
ending a nearly century-long U.S. military presence in this
former American colony.