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. 285-03;  09 June 2003
OPLE MIDDLE EAST MINI MEDIA BLITZ

During the recently concluded 30th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Tehran, Iran, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople took the opportunity to engage the members of the media from the Middle East and the Islamic world to bring to them the image of the Philippines as a country and as an important partner of the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

“The perception that the citizens of the member countries of the OIC have of the Philippines has been slowly improving over the years. However, aside from being a source of labor, the Philippines is sometimes viewed primarily as a country that is in conflict with its Muslim population.  Another image that also predominates in their minds is our close military relationship with the United States,” the Secretary said.

While in Tehran, the Secretary told media that the Philippines and the Islamic world have many interests, values and ideals in common and that these are firm basis for partnership.  “I also informed them of the great progress we have been having in our peace process with the MNLF and this point was driven home by the presence and comments of MNLF Chair and ARMM Governor Parouk Hussin during my press interviews,” the Secretary said.

“One very important media activity I had was a live, 45-minute studio interview with one of the leading news networks in the Middle East, the Al-Alam International News Network, anchored by Mr. Hussein Ezzdine.  I was with Governor Hussin and together we brought the message that we have implemented our peace agreement and that the Philippines is sincere in promoting peace in Mindanao,” Secretary Ople said. 

While in Tehran, in addition to the Al-Alam news program, the Secretary had separate interviews with 11 Iranian, Middle East and international print media, and three Middle East television news stations.    For the coverage of the first day of the OIC conference, the Philippines found itself with a front-page story in the leading Iranian English-language newspaper. On the last day of the OIC conference, the Secretary had a press conference with 22 members of print and electronic media.  “I believe that I was also able to foster a better understanding of our country and I hope to sustain this engagement not only with the governments of the member countries of the OIC, but also with their people, “ the Secretary said. END.