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| Southeast Asia |
| Clinton stayed Philippine hand in Abu Sayyaf raid |
| 2001-09-30 |
| www.abs-cbnnews.com A little more than one year to the day terrorists attacked key symbols of America's economy and defense, then-US President Bill Clinton had stayed the hand of Philippine officials even after a decision was made for a full-blown military offensive on the Abu Sayyaf. "The military officials had prepared well for that assault. They were sure it would once and for all crush the backbone of the Abu Sayyaf. All they waited for was the release of the Sipadan hostages. But all of a sudden came this letter from President Clinton," deposed President Joseph Estrada recalled in an interview Saturday night. TODAY obtained a copy of the September 14, 2000, letter from Clinton to Estrada, appealing for a halt in the planned military rescue operation and citing the great "risk to Mr. [Jeffrey] Schilling—as well as innocent civilians and your own forces." Clinton cited the assessment of the US experts who "believe that a rescue attempt by your forces would be too dangerous at this time." Estrada lamented that the well-planned offensive, supposed to be mounted just after the Sipadan hostages were freed on the intervention of Libya, went to naught—and all because of someone he describes as "very likely a voluntary hostage," referring to Schilling. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |