RP seeks to ease fear of U.S. attack

RP seeks to ease fear of U.S. attack

MANILA (DPA): National security officials sought yesterday to
ease the fears of some Philippine politicians that the United
States might attack suspected terrorist bases in the Philippines.

"Bombing us is very remote," said National Security Adviser
Alexander Aguirre. "The United States will not do that. We are
allies."

Several lawmakers have expressed fears of a U.S. attack in the
wake of reports that Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden, the
shadowy terrorist financier who allegedly masterminded the
bombing of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, had visited rebel
bases in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was bin
Laden's brother-in-law, Muhammad Jammal al Khalifa, who had been
seen in Mindanao several years ago, not bin Laden.