Tokyo, Oct 18: After an 18-hour visit to Japan, US President George W. Bush will spend eight hours in the Philippines today to voice support for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's campaign against militant groups.
Bush will become the first US President since Dwight Eisenhower in 1960 to address the Philippines' Congress.
Bush will offer support to arroyo as she tries to make the often-unsettled Philippines military more effective against militant groups of various ethnic and political stripes.
The Manila visit is being kept relatively brief out of concern that the groups Arroyo is trying to break up could strike during the President's visit.
Instead of spending the night, as is typical of state visits, Bush will fly on to Bangkok to attend the annual summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Bush's stop in Japan was a chance to take a breather and chat with a close ally on the way to other parts of Asia.
After a long flight from the United States, Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi dined last night in the ''Playful Heart Room'' of Akasaka Palace.
The two leaders, who seem to enjoy each other's company, had what Koizumi called ''very frank'' talks that a senior US official said covered the North Korea nuclear crisis, US concerns about fair trade and exchange rates, and Japanese assistance to help stabilise post-war Iraq.
Bureau Report
