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.