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Friday, February 18, 2005
Mayor's meeting with US ambassador cordial
THE much-anticipated meeting between US Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte turned out to be cordial.
Though seated a chair apart from each other, the two officials eventually shook each other's hand at the end of the ceremony they attended together Thursday morning.
The two were invited as special guests at the closing ceremony of the Baker Piston 05-1 at the Philippine Public Safety College Regional Training School 11 in Mintal, Davao City.
Seated between Duterte and Ricciardone was Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Anselmo Avenido Jr.
In his speech, the US envoy thanked Duterte for his support to the joint US-RP counter-drugs training held in Davao City for the past weeks.
Ricciardone said he has so much confidence in Davao City and its officials that he pushed through with his visit despite the Valentine's Day bombings.
He assured Duterte that the US government will never leave the country in trying times like this.
"We will be with you through thick and thin. No bombers will prevent the US ambassador from coming to Davao," Ricciardone said.
At the same time, the US official assured the mayor that he is on call 24 hours in their fight against the drug menace and in "strengthening the rule of law".
Duterte, meanwhile, said that he is also available 24 hours a day.
Asked of his reaction on Ricciardone's speech, Duterte said the US envoy's message is "well defined" and is the same with the US policy in all the other countries they have friendly ties with.
With regards to the case of Evergreen Hotel blast suspect Michael Meiring, Duterte said Ricciardone's assurance that the US government will cooperate with the city in running after any American who violates Philippine laws is a welcome development.
The mayor however clarified that he did not mention Meiring's case in his chat with Ricciardone. He said the case could have been handled by other embassy officials.
Duterte said the Department of Foreign Affairs is now working on the extradition of Meiring back to the Philippines to face the charges against him.
The mayor hopes that with his meeting with Ricciardone Thursday, insinuations that he is avoiding the US envoy would finally stop.
Duterte denied ever avoiding Ricciardone during his visit here in Davao City late last year for the launching of the US virtual embassy in Davao City.
Duterte however said that his policy against the holding of Balikatan war exercise in the city remains despite his cordial meeting with Ricciardone Thursday. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(February 18, 2005 issue)
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