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Post by bot on Apr 3, 2013 19:50:35 GMT -5
Hagel, Carter Welcome Philippine Foreign Secretary
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed a wide range of issues with Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario in a meeting at the Pentagon yesterday, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Little said Hagel welcomed Del Rosario to Washington and emphasized his commitment to the U.S.-Philippine alliance.
"The secretary said he was pleased with the progress being made toward an increased rotational presence for the U.S. military in the Philippines," he added. Carter expressed gratitude for Del Rosario's hospitality during his recent visit to Manila, Little said.
The meeting included discussion of U.S. capacity building to support the Philippine armed forces' modernization plans, the press secretary said, as well as regional security issues including the South China Sea, recent violence in Sabah, and North Korea.
In addition, Little said, the two sides noted progress in the investigation of a Jan. 17 incident in which the USS Guardian ran aground in the Tubbataha Reef and the work starting now on an environmental impact assessment of the incident.
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