WORLD : Bush Sends Adviser to Manila
President Bush sent a senior foreign policy adviser to the Philippines today to underscore support for President Corazon Aquino amid fears of a new coup attempt against her government.
Robert Gates, Bush’s deputy national security adviser, left Washington around midnight and was to hold talks with Aquino on Thursday. He also will confer with Fidel Ramos, the Philippine defense secretary.
White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Gates will convey Bush’s “continuing strong commitment to democracy” in the Philippines. He said the United States “very strongly” supports the Aquino government and noted that Bush ordered air support to help put down a failed coup attempt in December.
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