Solon-less Arroyo delegation leaves for Libya

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led a 38-member delegation to Libya that left after midnight Sunday on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight, with no lawmaker tagging along for the trip. Radio dzBB’s Denevin Macaranas reported that Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation departed “quietly," with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita seeing them off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation did not give a statement, but Press Secretary Cerge Remonde – who was part of the delegation – stressed the visit was on the invitation of Libya. With Mrs. Arroyo were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Remonde, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis. The rest of the 38-member Philippine delegation included Presidential Security Group (PSG) personnel, the dzBB report said. No lawmaker was with the delegation on the trip, which comes at the heels of criticisms over her latest trip to the US, where she and her entourage had at least three lavish dinners. “The Philippine Embassy in Libya notes that the activities and gatherings will be austere as these will take place during the Holy Month of Ramadan," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday. According to the DFA, Mrs. Arroyo will immediately proceed to the African Union (AU) Summit scheduled August 30-31 upon arrival in Libya. “The 53-member AU is the premier institution and principal organization for the promotion of accelerated socio-economic integration of the African continent. Libya currently sits as chair of the AU," the DFA said. It added that the Special AU Summit coincides with the celebrations marking the 40th Anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Qaddafi invite Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi invited Mrs. Arroyo to attend the Special Summit and the Anniversary ceremonies scheduled for September 1. The Summit will discuss peace and security issues in the African continent, including international anti-piracy in the Somali coast, the DFA said. At the sidelines of the Special AU Summit, Mrs. Arroyo will have a rare opportunity to engage the leaders of African states and push for stronger relations with the African continent. On September 1, Mrs. Arroyo will meet with the leaders of Libya, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. "In her bilateral meeting with Col. Muammar Qaddafi, President Arroyo will express the Philippines’ gratitude for Libya’s historic and continuing role in the peace and development process in Mindanao and for hosting a good number of Filipino workers," the DFA said. Libya was instrumental to the conclusion of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The Philippines and Libya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2000 to enhance and facilitate joint cooperation in the field of manpower and employment. Also, Mrs. Arroyo will express the Philippines’ commitment to convene the 2nd RP-Libya Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) to further increase economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. She will exchange views and experiences with Sri Lanka on counter terrorism efforts when she meets with H.E. Mahinda Rajakasa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. She will also push for increased trade between the two countries. Mrs. Arroyo will also sit down with H.E. Yousaf Raza Gillani, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. “The meeting will be timely as the two countries will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations on September 8," the DFA said. Mrs. Arroyo will discuss the planned visit of the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) to Pakistan in October this year. The BUC fosters interfaith dialogue in support of the peace process in Mindanao. On August 31, President Arroyo is expected to meet with Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal; Blaise Compaore, President of the Republic of Burkina Faso; Amadou Toumani Toure, President of the Republic of Mali; and Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development of the Republic of Guinea. “In her planned meetings with African leaders, the President is expected to share and offer Philippine expertise and experience particularly in capacity-building and human resource development in the areas of agriculture, education, fisheries, health and technical skills," the DFA said. The DFA said that in all her meetings, Mrs. Arroyo will reiterate the country’s invitation to the African and South Asian leaders to participate in the Special Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development that the Philippines will host in December 2009. She will also continue to seek support from leaders whose host countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for the Philippines’ bid for Observer Status. After her activities conclude on the evening of September 1, Mrs. Arroyo will proceed directly to the airport for her flight back to Manila. - GMANews.TV