PRESS RELEASE                                                                     
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                    *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph
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No. 729-03; 14 December  2003
 

STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT ON SECRETARY OPLE'S PASSING

The nation mourns the death of a great Filipino. We were awed by the vision and indomitable wit of Secretary Blas F. Ople. He was an architect of Philippine foreign policy in the finest tradition of enlightened and pragmatic diplomacy, a champion of peace, human rights, collective security and the rule of law. We will miss him and the world will miss him.