Pubdate: Mon, 14 Feb 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
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Author: BOT
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Baker+Piston
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rodrigo+Duterte
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

MAYOR TO FINALLY MEET RICCIARDONE

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will finally meet US Ambassador Francis 
Ricciardone when the latter comes to Davao on February 18 with President 
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte 
said he will meet the US envoy as part of his official duty being the chief 
executive of the host city.

The President and Ricciardone are scheduled to visit Davao this Friday to 
attend the culmination of the Baker Piston.

The Baker Piston is a joint project of the Philippine and the US 
governments in the exchange of information and technology on how to better 
fight the drug problem.

It can be recalled that Ricciardone was here in Davao City last year during 
the launching of US Embassy's virtual embassy.

Duterte was not able to attend the affair saying he was outside the country 
for a speaking engagement.

This time, the mayor said he has a commitment out of town the day after the 
president's visit but he will be here to meet the president and the US 
ambassador.

Duterte earlier expressed his distaste on the US government for their 
involvement in the flight of American Michael Meiring who is the main 
suspect in the bomb blast inside the Evergreen Hotel sometime in May 2002.

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation allegedly shanghaid Meiring 
from a local hospital without the knowledge of the authorities.

Duterte said unless the US returns Meiring here in the Philippine he will 
never see eye to eye with the US government or any of its representatives.
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