But Russia, though it is a long-standing friend of the Serbs, failed to get them to make enough concessions to avert this crisis, and it seems to have been no more successful this time.

ECONOMIST: Victim of Serbia--or NATO?

The Philippines is a long-standing friend and ally of the United States, and the President looks forward to discussing with President Aquino the close strategic, economic and people-to-people ties between our two countries, and our cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

WHITEHOUSE: Vice President's Schedule