PHILIPPINES: $1-B Australian aid linked to two key issues
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 24/11/2011 - 11:58pmDuring his press conference upon his return from the Apec meeting in Honolulu, President Aquino thanked Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the $1 billion aid provided by the Australian government to “help the recent flood and typhoon victims.”
Before we applaud the Australian government and its prime minister for their apparent generosity, let us consider Australia’s national interests that are involved in the Philippines. There are two key issues that stand out.