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MANILA, Philippines ? A diplomatic source said Thursday it will be a working visit for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the United States at the end of the month on the invitation of US President Barack Obama.
As such, it will have the usual amenities extended to a visiting head of state, said the source who is privy to the visit but asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter.
These amenities include Secret Service protection from arrival to departure, hotel accommodations for members of the official party, traditional official lunch or dinner, and a one-on-one meeting with the host president.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the source said the US does not generally make an announcement of the category of a visit unless it is a state visit.
In a state visit, the inviting country shoulders all the expenses of the visiting head of state and official party and the US president hosts a state reception.
?Generally, a state visit to the US is reserved for visiting royalty, unlike here where we usually treat a visiting head of state to a state visit,? said the source, pointing to the visit made by the Queen of England during the Bush administration.
?It is a matter of nomenclature. What?s important is it is an invitation by the hosting president,? the source said.
The White House announced that a meeting between Obama and Ms Arroyo will take place on July 30.
In a statement, the White House said Ms Arroyo?s visit will be the first by a Southeast Asian leader on the invitation of President Obama.
?The visit to Washington, D.C. is an affirmation of the strong partnership between the two countries that share historical and cultural ties and common democratic values,? the statement said.
?As a strategic ally and friend of the Philippines, the US has extended assistance in support of both countries? shared goals of peace, progress and prosperity,? it added.
The US Embassy in Manila said Ms Arroyo?s visit will not be a state visit.
?It?s a meeting in the Oval Office. To our knowledge President Obama has not yet hosted any state visits. President Arroyo will be the first leader from Southeast Asia to visit the United States under the Obama administration,? said embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson.
Asked to comment, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya described Ms Arroyo?s trip as a ?presidential visit.?
?It is a presidential visit, a meeting between two heads of state upon the invitation of the hosting president,? he said.
