Arroyo US trip to push through - Dureza

(Updated 9:55 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after announcing the cancellation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's trip to the United States later this month, Malacañang on Wednesday confirmed that the US trip will push through after all. In an interview, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Arroyo will leave for the US to address the United Nations Millenium Development Goals review on September 23. In the review, the Philippines is expected to report its compliance to the eight international development objectives. Dureza said President Arroyo will also hold bilateral meetings in New York and meet with the Organization of Islamic Conference to express her gratitude for its support for the peace process in Mindanao. He also said President Arroyo will also relay to the OIC her government's new peace strategy, following the stalling of talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Philippines will also take part a special ministerial meeting with the Non-Aligned Movement on inter-faith dialogue. As part of her US visit, President Arroyo will also campaign for Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago's candidacy to the International Court of Justice. Two weeks ago, Dureza announced that President Arroyo's US trip will not push through, but did not cite reasons for the cancellation. In the interview, Dureza said decision to push through with the US trip was made following recommendations from both Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Philippine representative to the UN Hilario Davide Jr. Aside from attending the UN MGD Review, President Arroyo's original schedule for her US visit state that she was supposed to meet with the Filipino community and some businessmen in Seattle, address the Clinton Global Initiative which would hold its Fourth Annual Meeting on September 23 to 26 in New York City. President Arroyo was a member of the panel members in the 7th CGI Annual meeting in 2007 that was organized by former US president Bill Clinton. - GMANews.TV