The Supreme Court of the Philippines is not happy about the American presence

The participation of the American army in the operations against terrorists (or against the ones, considered as terrorists) all over the world has become a usual thing now. No one is surprised about the USA’s intention to deal with Iraq or North Korea. There can be indignation raised, but not astonishment. However, the problems for the American administration appear in a very interesting way: in those countries, the governments of which asked the USA for help.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines addressed to the government of the country to reason the necessity of the American soldiers’ presence; there was even the term given for that – ten days. The government's decision to call for the help of the American army contradicts to the national constitution, as the judges think. The American special forces take part in the programs to train the soldiers of the Philippines for the struggle with Abu Sayyaf extremist group, which operates in the south of the country. No one prevents the Americans from their direct participation in the army actions, if the efforts of the Philippines’ army to root out the terrorists are in vain.

If the claim of the Philippines judges is allowed and the Americans have to leave, then the citizens of any country, on the territory of which there are American military men, can apply to court, demanding the government should reason that American presence. And what will the USA have to do, if this presence is not reasoned?

Such events are not likely to develop though. The government of the Philippines may ask for the help of the American lawyers, which will reason anything you dare to wish for. By the way, the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is going to offer the position of her aide on law and order to the former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani. At present moment it is not known, if Giuliani agrees to move, but if he does, then the president of the Philippines will gain a powerful support.

Anyway, the issue on the American presence in the Philippines can be considered from a different angle. The USA shut down its two army bases in the beginning of the 1990s, pursuant to the agreement with the government of the Philippines. Now America has an opportunity to get them back, under the motto of the struggle with terrorism. The government of the Philippines was offering to use them in September of the past year, right after the acts of terrorism in the States. So the requirement of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is not likely to change anything. The American army will keep on helping its colleagues in the Philippines in the field of the anti-terrorist struggle.

Vasily Bubnov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov