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MANILA, Philippines?(UPDATE) President Benigno Aquino III has cancelled his trips to Indonesia and Vietnam this month but will push through with his visit to the United States on September 20.
?The first one will be America,?? the President told reporters, in reference to the US visit as his first trip abroad as the country?s leader.
He explained that Indonesia could only accommodate him ?sometime in October?? and that the Palace was now ?working on that.??
The President said he would visit Vietnam during the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to be held in October.
?In keeping with our promise to be more judicious with the way we spend the people?s money, especially since we have very little left, I felt it was more prudent to make one trip rather than two [to Vietnam],?? Aquino said.
He said he would limit trips to where it was ?absolutely necessary.??
Following tradition, the President should make his first trip abroad to an Asean member country.
Aquino said this was the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs but because of circumstances, the US visit would be his first trip.
He also said he might meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York late this month.
He said his trips in October would push through ? assuming nothing untoward happens, as most of the storms are approaching the country.??
President Aquino will join leaders in attending the UN General Assembly conference in New York. He will also visit Washington DC.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, its counterparts in Vietnam and Indonesia have been told of the deferment of Aquino?s state visits.
?President Aquino looks forward to visiting both capitals at a more propitious and mutually convenient time, to discuss bilateral issues towards further enhancing Philippine relations with Vietnam and Indonesia, respectively,? the DFA said in a statement.
INQUIRER.net
