President Aquino pays tribute to former U.S. Ambassador Stephen Bosworth

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): President Aquino pays tribute to former U.S. Ambassador Stephen Bosworth

President Benigno S. Aquino III has extended his condolences to the family and loved ones of former United States ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Bosworth, recognizing his contribution to the restoration of democracy in the country.

"It is with a deep sense of loss that I pay tribute to former Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth, a man who was not only an able and honorable envoy of his country, but a man who proved to be an enduring friend of the Filipino people and our democratic way of life," the President said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The Chief Executive said his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, found Bosworth to be a diplomat “who went above and beyond the call of duty to understand and support the aspirations of the Filipino people.”

As US ambassador to the Philippines from 1984 to 1987, Bosworth made it possible for his fellow American citizens and the rest of the world to see the true condition of the Philippines while actively engaging former President Ferdinand Marcos to help him realize the consequences of his administration’s actions, the President said.

"At the most crucial moments, Ambassador Bosworth served as an active broker and advocate, one who truly contributed to the reclamation of our liberty," he noted.

"Through his unwavering commitment to our shared values, he earned the trust and confidence of a nation yearning to breathe free."

President Aquino further recalled that even after the envoy’s tenure in the Philippines, Bosworth, along with other partners at the US-Philippines Society, remained supportive of and interested in the continued progress of the Philippines towards making democracy work for all.

He also recounted a “memorable engagement” with Bosworth when he had the opportunity to interact with the former US ambassador during his visit to the United States in September 2014.

"The Philippines has always been fortunate in having such friends abroad. I am certain that he would have welcomed the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution next month," he said.

"His passing is a reminder that the freedom we regained to the acclamation and admiration of the world is a gift that a new generation of Filipinos must carefully nurture, protect, and even expand."

Bosworth died in Boston, Massachusetts last Sunday at the age of 76.

Aside from being posted in the Philippines, he also served as ambassador to Tunisia (1979-1981) and the Republic of Korea (1997-2001), and as special representative for North Korea Policy for the Obama Administration (2009-2011).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=844420