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THE WAR ON TERRORISM: Building the Coalition
Thursday, January 17, 2002

AP reports that 250 Americans are on the ground in the Philippines to participate in a two-and-a-half week joint exercise with Filipino forces. About 660 U.S. troops, including 160 U.S. Army Special Forces, are to arrive in small numbers in coming weeks to train Filipino soldiers battling Abu Sayyaf. American officials emphasize that these troops are being sent merely as advisors and will not engage in actual combat, so as to act in accord with the Philippine Constitution, which bars foreign troops from participating in combat. No word yet on if Abu Sayyaf has agreed not to fire on noncombatants. The Muslim guerrillas are currently holding three hostages, including an American couple.
(More: fpa.org News Source)
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Dan