Trump said to praise Duterte for drug fight in Philippines
WASHINGTON— President DonaldTrumppraised Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for an “unbelievable job” in a fight against illegal drugs that has left thousands dead and drawn condemnation from U.S. lawmakers, according to a leaked transcript of their telephone conversation last month.
Trump’s discussion with Duterte is likely to reinforce the impression that Trump is sidelining human rights concerns in his foreign policy. Trump has met with several authoritarian leaders since taking office in January, offering few critiques of their records on democracy, the rule of law and protecting essential freedoms.
The transcript of the April 29 callwas first posted by The Washington Post. It is marked confidential and is contained under a cover sheet from the Philippine Foreign Ministry. Neither the Philippine government nor the White House verified the transcript, but they didn’t dispute its contents either.
It also shows the leaders discussing the North Korean threat, with each referring to Kim Jong Un as a “madman.” Trump also revealed the U.S. had two nuclear submarines in the region. He said the United States didn't want to use them.
Democratic lawmakers criticized Trump for his reported comments.
“Today’s reporting leaves meevenmore concerned by President Trump’s strange fascination with dictators, his support for the extrajudicial killings central to President Duterte’s ‘drug war,’ and his recklessness with sensitive information,” said Rep. Eliot Engel, topranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
At the time of the call, Trump raised hackles in Washington by inviting Duterte to the White House. Since Duterte took power inJune, his anti-drug campaign has killed 7,000to 9,000 suspected dealers and addicts, according to human rights groups. The State Department has voiced concern over extrajudicial killings, and U.S. lawmakers have pushed for restrictions on arms sales to Philippine police in response.
“I just want to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,” Trump said in the phone call, according to the transcript. “Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that.”
Duterte responded that drugs are a “scourge” of his nation.
“Trump’s celebration of Duterte’s record is nothing short of horrifying,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. “It is an endorsement of the mass killing of the Philippines’ poorest and most vulnerable.”