The Philippine government's peace pact with the MILF is not the first. About a decade ago, its former president Fidel Ramos made a peace pact with the Moro National Liberation (MNLF). The peace pact however, was not properly implemented and while it brought a lot of Muslim rebels back into the government's fold, the larger group called the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was able to strengthen its ranks by attracting disgruntled MNLF members and fortifying its camps.
A columnist for a Philippine newspaper talks about the costs and massive preparations required by the US Secret Service whenever President Bush and other (US Presidents) travel outside of Washington DC. I remember watching a CNN report that showed how big a US presidential convoy is, compared to the two vehicle transport being used by Prime Minister Tony Blair of the UK.
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