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| Southeast Asia |
| Powell |
| 2004-07-23 |
| EFL The United States summoned its ambassador in Manila to Washington for "consultations" yesterday as Secretary of State Colin L. Powell issued the Bush administration's strongest condemnation of the Philippines' decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq as ransom for a kidnapped truck driver. Mr. Powell said the United States was "seriously disappointed" by the decision of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to bargain with terrorists. "When you negotiate in this manner, all you do is encourage" more terrorism, Mr. Powell said. Now, compare and contrast between spine, conviction and the cowardice of Arroya: Mr. Powell spoke after meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, whose country has vowed to keep its troops in Iraq despite the kidnapping Thank you Bulgaria. Nota Bene: I will be visiting your fine country next year. I look forward to being around a people of courage. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher stopped short of saying there would be direct repercussions for U.S.-Philippine relations from the withdrawal, saying U.S. officials "are discussing the situation now." Discuss it? Ooooo, really scary! Ya' know what happens when the State Department discusses the situation, don't 'cha? |
| Posted by:Dragon Fly |