15 March 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that the Philippines could rest assured of continued strong relations with the United States. The assurance came after she accepted the invitation to attend the 1st Anniversary of the US-RP Friendship Caucus, one of the larger and more active bi-partisan Congressional Member Organizations in the US Congress whose interest is in strengthening the relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

Caucus member Congressman Darrell Issa (49th District, California), in his letter of invitation to Secretary Albert to attend the Anniversary, said that the Caucus had succeeded last year in promoting legislation that broadened health benefits to Filipino-American veterans. He said that the Caucus will “continue to support Filipino Veterans’ benefits this year” and will “also focus on strengthening the bilateral political and economic relationship between the US and the Philippines.”

The Caucus is composed of a cross-section of US legislators whose districts have large Filipino-American community residents and other legislators who have consistently manifested support for the Philippines in US Congress. The Caucus is currently comprised of over 70 members.

While in the US, Secretary Albert will also meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on 25 March. It will be the Secretary’s first opportunity to meet with Secretary Powell. Among the things to be discussed in this meeting will be the worldwide battle against terrorism, continued access of RP products to the US market and RP’s active role in the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC).

Secretary Albert is also expected to meet with other officials from Trade and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She will also address the US-ASEAN Business Council, an organization of business leaders whose expertise is on the ASEAN region.

From Washington DC, Secretary Albert will proceed to Seattle and Honolulu, where she will be meeting with officials of the US Pacific Command (CINPAC), and members of the Filipino community there to inform them of developments in the Philippines, particularly their concerns on the dual citizenship issue. - END