Clinton to visit Philippines

Clinton to visit Philippines

MANILA (Reuter): U.S. President Bill Clinton will visit the
Philippines in November in the first trip by an American
president to this country since U.S. forces pulled out in 1992,
the presidential palace said yesterday.

Officials said they were arranging for Clinton to go to the
former U.S. Subic naval base in Olongapo city, 80 kilometers
northwest of Manila, during his visit from Nov. 12 to 14.

The Philippine government has turned Subic into a free port
since U.S. troops withdrew from the country almost two years ago,
after the Philippines Senate rejected a new bases treaty with
Washington.

Palace spokesman Jesus Sison said Clinton was visiting Manila
on his way to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
meeting in mid-November in Indonesia. Ramos will also attend the
conference.