Cablegate: Ambassador Hosts Asean Mission Chiefs

VZCZCXRO7977
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #2444 2010923
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 200923Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7511
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 002444

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/RSP AND EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ARF RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS ASEAN MISSION CHIEFS

1. (U) In anticipation of the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF) ministerial meetings in Manila August 1-2, Ambassador
hosted an informal breakfast at her residence on July 20 for
ASEAN member state ambassadors and officials from the
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ambassador
took the opportunity to affirm the high level of interest the
U.S. has in ASEAN and ARF affairs and to thank the
Philippines for its leadership of ASEAN over the past year,
as well as its upcoming hosting of the Post-Ministerial
Conferences and the ARF.

2. (SBU) Ambassador congratulated her guests on recent
successes, including the groundbreaking work on an ASEAN
Charter. DFA Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio noted
the increasingly active role ASEAN is playing in regional
affairs, a point that the Singaporean Ambassador echoed,
adding that ASEAN dialogue now encompasses more "meaningful
issues." The guests expressed enthusiasm for the newly
restructured ASEAN Fund, which should facilitate regional
projects and promote a common ASEAN stance on issues of
interest to member states.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
KENNEY

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