Palace accepts Republicans’ apology

President Arroyo has accepted the apology of an American congressman of the majority Republican Party for mistakenly including the Philippines in a list of countries "that harbor and aid terrorists."

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo now considers the case closed after New York Rep. Tom Reynolds formally apologized to Philippine Ambassador to Washington Alberto del Rosario.

"I believe the situation is considered settled as far as our officials in Washington are concerned, and we go by their recommendations that we move on as far as this issue is concerned," he said.

"Our ambassador to Washington believes that this is sufficient, in view of the fact that not only was there an apology, but there was also a commitment to take the appropriate remedial measure."

Bunye said Malacañang has received through Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert the report of Del Rosario on the apology of Reynolds.

"The report states that the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee or the NRCC, Rep. Tom Reynolds, has gotten in touch with Ambassador Del Rosario, and he personally apologized for the erroneous survey question," he said.

"In that conversation, Representative Reynolds also accepted responsibility for making the mistake and said the US government deeply appreciated what the Philippines has been doing in the war against terrorism."

Bunye said the US State Department also issued a separate public statement lauding the Philippines for supporting the US-led war against terrorism.

"And the (US State Department) said that again they reiterate the US government’s appreciation for the Philippines’ strong and unwavering support for the US-led global war against terrorism even as left-leaning groups and some civil society supporters scored (President Arroyo’s) perceived pro-American stand," he said.

Albert said Reynolds called up Del Rosario to apologize for the "erroneous survey question" contained in the "Ask America 2004" nationwide policy survey by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Reynolds also gave an assurance that remedial action would be taken, she added.

The survey asked voters: "Should America broaden the war on terrorism in other countries that harbor and aid terrorists such as Thailand, Syria, Somalia, the Philippines, etc."

Accompanying the survey was a letter signed by Speaker Dennis Hastert seeking funds to keep the Republican Party in control of the US House of Representatives.

The undiplomatic slip-up drew sharp response last week and a demand for an apology from Mrs. Arroyo, one of US Republican President George W. Bush’s staunchest allies in the international campaign against terrorism.

Mrs. Arroyo had backed the US-led invasion of Iraq last year amid popular opposition ahead of the May 10 presidential election.

She has rejected calls here to recall 96 Filipinos serving among the occupation forces in Iraq.

Thailand, another key US ally, also protested. — Marichu Villanueva, Marvin Sy, AFP