Upon instructions of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, I  fly this evening to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to represent the Philippine Government and People at the memorial services for the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan.  On behalf of the President, I shall convey our condolences to the royal family of Sheikh Zayed and to the people of the United Arab Emirates.  Sheikh Zayed, who was 86 when he died yesterday, is a well-respected and revered leader in the Arab world.  He is considered the father of the UAE nation, which was established in 1971.

While in Abu Dhabi, I shall meet with the Philippine Ambassadors in the Middle East bordering Iraq for the purpose of discussing with them security, contingency measures so that we can see what more can be done in order to provide security, safety and repatriation, if so needed, specially in Iraq for our people and brothers and sisters in that troubled land.  END