The Philippines on Monday offered to help the United States rebuild Iraq "within its capability" as it sought to patch up bilateral ties damaged by Manila's abrupt military withdrawal from the war-torn country.
Filipino Foreign Secretary Delia Albert held hour-long talks with US ambassador Francis Ricciardone, who had flown home for consultations with his superiors after Washington accused Manila of caving in to terrorists. President Gloria Arroyo, citing national interest, recalled the 51-member military and police contingent in Iraq on July 19 to save the life of kidnapped truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, who was threatened with beheading by militants opposed to the US-led foreign military presence. Albert said he and Ricciardone "discussed the state of relations between our two countries and reiterated our common determination to strengthen these relations." |