Obama State Visit

[jo]

A few minutes ago, US AIR FORCE ONE has just landed on our premiere international airport!

What a sight as US President Barack Obama briskly went down the steps, to be greeted by some of our top officials and the US Ambassador to the Philippines. He then boarded MARINE ONE ( military helicopter) on the way to our presidential palace, Malacanang, to meet with our President Benigno Aquino.

He will be here for a two-day state visit mainly to hold bilateral talks with our President, primarily on regional defense cooperation and economic/trade ties. A key aspect is the signing of a mutual defense agreement re visiting US forces and other related activities. In the past, US bases were housed here, but the treaty was scrapped due to national sovereignty issues. Hopefully, the new defense pact would be bilateral in terms of benefit to each country and also calm down some regional military concerns. Economic ties are always discussed to optimize trade relations. It is likely that the US-proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership ( TPP) on trade cooperation among countries in Asia-Pacific will be discussed. While the Philippines is not yet part of the initial list of countries under consideration, eventually this will likely be brought to the table for discussion. It is also hoped that cultural links and people-to-people ties would be further enhanced as the two nations have been allies and friends for a long time.

Welcome to our shores, Mr. President!

[jo]

Some sidelights --

*AIR FORCE ONE is much more spectacular than what you see in movies. It looks gigantic, sleek, and carries a sky-blue/pale aqua and white colors, with the USA flag on its tail.

*He is arriving at the height of summer weather -- probably in the mid-80's to low-90's F now. He was offered cold drinks and cold face towels ( which he readily used) as he arrived inside the hall. Malacanang Palace is several hundred years old - on sprawling grounds by our major river - and has the air of Spanish colonial grandeur.

*He was honored with special ceremonies by the Philippine military after the national anthems of both countries were played by a military band. He was greeted by the Official Cabinet members and other branches of government.

*He was happy to watch our famed bamboo orchestra play some lively airs.

*He took time to greet the many Presidential Palace employees - he almost looked like a top Broadway star at the stagedoor as he smilingly shook many hands reaching out to him!

*He signed the Guest Book with a very long message and smiled a lot as he was doing it! Another lefty!

*The Philippines is the last leg of a four-country regional visit - Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines

*He will be honored with a state dinner tonight. Supposedly only one or two have declined the invitation sent out to 300 guests!

*He was accompanied by his National Security Adviser and his Trade Secretary... and boatloads of Secret Service men.

*The mutual defense pact has some degree of controversy among some sectors, because of national sovereignty issues - hence you would probably read about some street protests taking place. Some have also expressed some reservations about the proposed TPP as it excludes China from the proposed economic pact.

*During the joint press conference, with the indulgence of the Philippine president, President Obama's first words were those of sympathy and reassurance to the victims of the new disaster in the American mid-west.

*He also noted that the year marks the 70th Anniversary of the famed Leyte Landing by General McArthur, on the return to the Philippines to liberate the country from Japanese forces. That was General McArthur's keeping his famous promise of " I shall return!" to the Filipino people!

[njr]

Quite a few of our presidents have been left-handed:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handedness_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States



Nancy