<

Filipinos Protest U.S. Forces Pact
Friday, August 2, 2002
(14:16 GMT)
By Maria Ressa
The Cable News Network

Demonstrators said they were prepared to wait through the day and night to make sure Colin Powell hears their voice.
Image Credit: The Associated Press.

Local intelligence officials say they believe the September 11 attacks were first planned in the Philippines as early as 1995.

MANILA, Philippines -- CNN
The U.S. embassy in Manila is under tight security after hundreds of leftist demonstrators protested ahead of the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Powell arrived in the Philippine capital late Friday as he nears the end of an eight-nation Asian tour.

Powell is expected to hail the success of six month joint military training exercises which ended Wednesday and give details of more to follow, ensuring the presence of US troops in the Philippines until at least mid-2003, Filipino officials say.

The focus of the protests is an upcoming military agreement, the MLSA, which officials say may be signed during Powell's visit.

* Full Support
* Surveys Show Approval
(More: CNN.com News Source)
2002 © Cable News Network LP, LLLP.

Dan