Cablegate: Philippines to Send Vice President to Former

VZCZCXRO5338
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #5101 3620915
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280915Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4404
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 005101

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV OVIP RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES TO SEND VICE PRESIDENT TO FORMER
PRESIDENT FORD'S FUNERAL

REF: STATE 203066

1. (SBU) Action request: The Department of Foreign Affairs
confirmed on December 28 that President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo had appointed Vice President Noli de Castro to be the
representative of the Philippine Government at the funeral of
former President Gerald Ford. The Vice President's office
separately contacted Embassy for details in order to
coordinate his flight schedule. Embassy provided publicly
available information and promised additional details as they
become available. Please advise about the policy on and
procedures for foreign dignitaries at the funeral and all
administrative details for Embassy's use by OOB December 29
Manila time. End action request.

2. (U) According to DFA, President Arroyo is also writing
to Mrs. Ford to offer her personal condolences. The DFA
plans to issue a statement as well, but had not done so by
COB December 28. Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs for
Policy Erlinda Basilio represented the Philippine Government
in signing the condolence book at the Embassy on December 28,
offering condolences on behalf of the Philippine government
and the Filipino people on the demise of "a great son of the
United States of America and beloved leader of the American
people." Basilio noted that the Philippines shared in the
great loss. "We pray for the Lord that he will grant the
late President Ford eternal life and comfort the members of
the Ford family at this difficult time and the American
people."

3. (U) Senior diplomats from Argentina, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Thailand, and Sri Lanka also paid their respects and signed
the condolence book on December 28, with others from Laos,
India, France, Israel, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Great
Britain, Singapore, and Turkey already expected on December
29.

4. (U) The former President's death dominated the
electronic and print media on December 28, with stories
highlighting especially his healing role after President
Nixon's resignation.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/
KENNEY

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