21 May 2004 - Congressman James A. Leach, (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific paid a courtesy call on Secretary Delia  Domingo Albert today and discussed recent developments in both countries as well as current international developments.

Secretary Albert and Cong. Leach had a fruitful exchange of views on vital issues such as recent developments on RP-US relations, Philippine presidential elections and Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV), the situation in Iraq, and the centennial celebration of the arrival of Filipino immigrants in the United States.  Secretary Albert also briefed Cong. Leach on her successful trip to the US last March.

On the recent elections, Secretary Albert said that  “Representative Leach said that the Filipino people are to be congratulated for the success of a democratic exercise of such magnitude.  He understood the complexity and scope of our electoral process.”

His visit was a low key trip, but one that was considered as celebrating the closeness of RP-US relations and highlighting, from a congressional perspective, shared bilateral interests and values.

Cong. Leach expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ support to the US-led coalition in Iraq through its humanitarian contingent.  He also congratulated the Philippines for its role as incoming President of the UN Security Council next month.
 
Cong. Leach, 61 years old, was first elected in November 1976 to the US 95th Congress and in each succeeding Congress.  He graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (cum laude).  He first worked as staff of Congressman Donald Rumsfeld (1964-1965) before joining the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer.  END.