The United States should seize the opportunity provided by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo to begin closing Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Station. We should immediately begin an intensive search for another site to base the bulk of our Pacific Forces.
Investing millions in restoring and recovering these bases only increases our stake in these sites and improves the bargaining position of the Philippine government, which ceaselessly decries our presence there while shamelessly continuing to demand astronomical rents and aid payments for the privilege of defending the Philippines.
Even after American air power foiled a coup against her failed government, Corazon Aquino continues to stir up sentiment against the nation which liberated the Philippines in World War II, which continues to defend the Philippines from the vast array of bullies in its very tough neighborhood, and whose bases and presence provide employment and opportunity for thousands of Filipinos. If the Filipinos don`t want us to defend them, I see no reason to invest millions in our facilities there.
