The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today said that the new US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr. will be facing a huge test when he assumes offices, given the many unresolved issues in RP-US relations. US president Barack Obama yesterday announced Thomas as the replacement of current US ambassador Kristie Kenney.
“It won’t be smooth sailing for the new envoy. Amb. Thomas will face the still unresolved issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement. He will face calls for the review and termination of the VFA. He will face queries on the permanent presence of US troops in Mindanao,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
While acknowledging the historic fact that Thomas is the first African-American to ever be appointed ambassador to the Philippines, Bayan said that in the end “Amb. Thomas will be judged based on his engagement of issues.”
As for its assessment of the stint of US ambassador Kenney, Bayan said that there were many factors to consider.
“While seemingly departing from the mold of the ‘Cold Warrior’ envoys of old through her populist actions, Kenney consistently upheld US imperial interests during her stint. Aside from watching college ballgames and appearing on Wowowee, Kenney should also be remembered for taking in a convicted Lance Corporal Daniel Smith into US embassy custody in violation of Philippine laws,” Reyes said.
“For all her efforts to give the ‘war on terror’ a chummy spin, controversies in the VFA, human rights violations and US basing in the South still came to the fore. She will leave behind many unresolved issues, including those that have spurred a Philippine Senate resolution calling for a review or termination of the VFA,” Reyes added.
Bayan said it won’t be holding its breath on whether Thomas appointment signals major changes in RP-US relations.
“We’ve been visited by three Washington officials the past six months, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and CIA director Leon Panetta. These visits merely affirmed existing lopsided relations, including the necessity of the VFA. Thomas appointment will not likely change any of that,” Reyes said. ###
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from: www.bayan.ph
