Finally, Arroyo talks to Obama

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo on Tuesday got an early dawn phone call from US President-elect Barack Obama, the first time the two leaders were able to talk after the US elections early this month. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Obama phoned President Arroyo at 3:17 a.m. to reassure that the US will continue its good relation with the Philippines. “The call took place early dawn and generally, the President said it was more of a reassurance from the President-elect about the continuing good relations and the cooperation that would take place between the Philippines and the US,” Dureza said. Dureza did not mention the other topics discussed during the phone conversation, saying he was not able to ask President Arroyo since she was about to board a helicopter for an appointment in Laguna. To recall, President Arroyo had tried to communicate with Obama several times to no avail. In her first attempt, the President tried to reach Obama by calling Washington. President Arroyo was also not able to meet Obama while she was in Chicago, Obama's hometown, during her recent visit to the US for the UN conference on interfaith dialogue. Dureza said that aside from President Arroyo, Obama also called President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia and President Abdullah Gul of Turkey to return their congratulatory messages. - GMANews.TV