Thank you for joining us today.  I would like to share with you a few thoughts about the ASEAN Meeting last week and I would also like to address several other issues of current concern.

 We concluded last week the 38th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conference and 12th ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.  I have a set of press releases for you that document our actions and activities while in Laos.  I would, however, like to touch on a few issues relating to ASEAN.

 On Myanmar, while we were able to address the issue of Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN, I would like to reiterate our position and call for true and meaningful democratic reforms in Myanmar, specifically, the implementation of the roadmap to democracy, the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the participation of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar’s political life and the return of the UN Secretary- General’s Special Representative, Ismail Razali, to Myanmar.

 I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our legislators who have conveyed their congratulations for our position on Myanmar and on our chairmanship of ASEAN.

 We are prepared to take over the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006-2007 and as I said earlier, many ASEAN and ASEAN-partner officials are looking forward to coming to the Philippines, to the point of even making some welcome suggestions on where to hold various meetings.

 On other issues, there are a few things that I would like to say:

 On the National Situation - In Laos, the different officials I met expressed their full support not only for our ASEAN Chairmanship but also for our own efforts at economic and political reforms.  We were in Laos when the President delivered her SONA and I received many congratulations for her clear and precise speech and also received expressions of confidence in her leadership.  The President’s strong foreign policy has made its mark and continues to reinforce her domestic policy.

 On the death of King Fahd - I join the President and our people in expressing our profound sense of loss at the death of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.  As you know I was just in the Kingdom and I saw for myself the many reforms that His Royal Highness King Fahd had brought to his country.  I also met the then Crown Prince and now King, His Royal Highness Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, during my visit and I am confident that relations between our two countries will continue to grow and prosper under his wise guidance and leadership.

 On the South China Sea – In Laos, I announced our hosting of the ASEAN-China Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).  The Working Group’s meeting will end today and we will brief you accordingly.    I am confident that this meeting will be an important contribution to further strengthening the peace and security of our region.

 On the Alleged Filipino Drug Couriers – We are assisting the Filipinos that have been arrested and are ensuring that their rights are protected. We will not allow criminal drug syndicates to victimize our nationals.  We will be coordinating with local and international police authorities to address this issue.  I would like to reiterate my call for Filipinos to be wary of offers to transport drugs or other illegal substances. I hope I can count on the assistance of media in conveying this warning to the public.

 On the Peace Process – In Laos there was acknowledgement of our progress in pursuing peace with the MILF.  We are on track on the peace agreement with the MILF, thanks to the help of our friends in the OIC. With regard to our peace process with communist rebels, we remain committed to the cause of peace and thank the many members of the international community who have been working with us in our search for peace.

 Again, thank you for joining us today and for your continuing interest and understanding of the work that we do. I would now like to invite you to ask your questions and I would like to ask Mr. Bert Asuque to moderate this question and answer portion. END