New US Ambassador arrives in PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 26): New US Ambassador arrives in PHL

Philip Goldberg, the United States’ new ambassador to the Philippines, arrived in the country late Monday night and conveyed Washington’s continuing commitment to help in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of typhoon-ravaged Visayas region.

Goldberg will also help oversee a massive U.S. relief mission in the central Philippines, where at least 5,200 have been killed.

“I arrive at a moment of great challenge in the aftermath of typhoon 'Yolanda'. My colleagues at the embassy, at the USAID, and the US military are working hard in support of your government’s efforts. We will be there also as you rebuild,” Goldberg said in an arrival video statement released on Tuesday.

The U.S. government immediately came to the Philippines’ rescue a day after the colossal storm struck, deploying troops, aircraft, ships, and financial aid amounting to at least $ 50 million.

“We feel motivated by your spirit and impressed by your determination to rebuild lives and livelihood in the tradition of 'damayan',” Goldberg said. “As President Obama has said, when our friends are in trouble, America helps.”

“The US and the Philippines have developed a unique and special friendship based on common values and family ties.

I’m honored to have the opportunity to help strengthen our relationship and see that it endures for many decades to come.”

Goldberg, a veteran career diplomat, was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines on November 21.

At the State Department in Washington, Goldberg served as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Prior to 2010 he served concurrently as the Coordinator for Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1874 on North Korea.

His diplomatic postings include Bolivia, where he served as ambassador from 2006 to 2008 and in Pristina, Kosovo from 2004 to 2006.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=590993