PHILLIPS SEES CHALLENGES IN EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Phil Phillips made it clear Tuesday that he's not going on a tropical
vacation. The High Point businessman, nominated by President Bush to serve
as U.S. ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, addressed serious issues
during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. The topics he covered included economic development, banking,
drug-trafficking and AIDS.

Phillips' original connection to Bush was political and financial. He was
North Carolina co-chairman of the Bush presidential campaign last year, and
he helped raise money for the candidate. But that experience won't earn
Phillips the title of ambassador.

"My training in business administration, along with 35 years of leadership
in business and community service, give me a solid foundation for directing
the activities of some 150 people at our embassies in Barbados and
Grenada," he told the committee. "I will also draw on my business
experience to promote more open trade and a healthy, more diversified
economic environment in the Eastern Caribbean, with mutual opportunity and
benefit."

Phillips noted that the island nations, heavily dependent on U.S. tourism,
were profoundly impacted by the events of Sept. 11.

"These countries have stood by us," he added, "and are now contributing to
the coalition against terrorism by making efforts to clamp down on leakages
in their financial systems that might be exploited by terrorists." He said
it will be one of his top priorities to work with Caribbean governments to
drive out money-launderers.

Similar efforts have to made against narcotics traffickers and against the
growing AIDS epidemic.

Phillips has built a strong record of accomplishment in business and for
public and private causes, here in High Point and across the state and
nation. He has done his homework in preparing to take on this new assignment.

Phillips' new job won't be a tropical vacation. It carries a heavy
responsibility, and he is well-qualified to be an effective ambassador for
the United States. He deserves confirmation by the Senate and
congratulations from his hometown.