thedrifter
04-27-09, 08:26 AM
No protocol violated in Smith departure - US envoy
Article posted April 27, 2009 - 08:44 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The United States did not violate any protocol when it allowed Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to leave the Philippines shortly after he was acquitted of rape by the Court of Appeals, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said Monday.
Kenney maintained that the US government adhered to the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement when it informed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that they have released Smith to the custody of the US Marines.
“We respect the sovereignty of both nations. We have also informed the Department of Foreign Affairs of our actions and kept them fully posted of Smith’s departure in writing and verbally," she said.
Smith was convicted last December 2006 for raping Filipina Suzette Nicolas at the former American military base of Subic Bay in Olongapo City, Zambales.
Nicolas however issued a new affidavit last March hinting that Smith did not rape her, saying that that they might have gotten “carried away" and that she might have been amenable to having sex with Smith at that time.
Kenney said it would be up to the US Marines if they will put Smith on court martial.
“He [Smith] should be with his family right now, but we cannot disclose where he is exactly for his privacy," she said. - GMANews.TV
Ellie
Article posted April 27, 2009 - 08:44 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The United States did not violate any protocol when it allowed Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to leave the Philippines shortly after he was acquitted of rape by the Court of Appeals, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said Monday.
Kenney maintained that the US government adhered to the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement when it informed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that they have released Smith to the custody of the US Marines.
“We respect the sovereignty of both nations. We have also informed the Department of Foreign Affairs of our actions and kept them fully posted of Smith’s departure in writing and verbally," she said.
Smith was convicted last December 2006 for raping Filipina Suzette Nicolas at the former American military base of Subic Bay in Olongapo City, Zambales.
Nicolas however issued a new affidavit last March hinting that Smith did not rape her, saying that that they might have gotten “carried away" and that she might have been amenable to having sex with Smith at that time.
Kenney said it would be up to the US Marines if they will put Smith on court martial.
“He [Smith] should be with his family right now, but we cannot disclose where he is exactly for his privacy," she said. - GMANews.TV
Ellie