426. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State1
2701. Repeated information CINCPAC,COMNAVPHIL, 13th Air Force, FEAF by other means. During Beacon Hill exercise I had opportunity to discuss with Manglapus2 problem of moving ahead on base discussions. Following line used by Assistant Secretary Robertson with Magsaysay,3 I remarked to Manglapus that we will all need to be examined mentally if both countries cannot get together on the matter of bases. I pointed out to him that I thought it might well be considered by Garcia to be in his personal and political interest if we could arrange to move ahead almost immediately on some of the outstanding unresolved matters that developed during the base negotiations. I indicated that if Garcia was willing to support Manglapus in such an effort I thought considerable progress could be achieved before election time on settling such matters as mining, a mutual defense board, liaison offices, AC&W and air defense needs, Olongapo, Port of Manila, etc. On an announcement of a settlement of the question of jurisdiction Garcia might well wish to put that off until after election, but that it would be advantageous if we could reach confidential agreement on that issue as soon as possible since it would clear the atmosphere on our base construction appropriations and open the way for an easy meeting of minds on other matters, and it also seemed possible that Garcia might wish see it before election. I suggested that even if Manglapus found Garcia felt it necessary to postpone effort to reach agreement on jurisdiction until after elections, he might consider it desirable to try to get a meeting of minds on as many other bases problems as possible. Manglapus generally responsive to my suggestions and indicated that he wished discuss matter with President soonest. Manglapus feels that it would be to advantage of President and both countries to resolve as many basic issues as he possibly can before November elections and that Garcia might well see it that way.
[Page 720]Before Manglapus had opportunity to talk to President, President held press conference during Beacon Hill exercise and press raised question of bases negotiations. Garcia indicated that resumption being considered at diplomatic level but that any future discussions would have to be “within framework of Phil Panel position.”
Some indications now appearing in press to effect that consideration being given to publishing Phil Panel “white paper.” It not clear from available information whether publication would be full text or along Unes digest of white paper as originally envisaged by Magsaysay. Chronicle and Herald today carried front page items reporting that consideration was being given to appointment Senator Pelaez (rather than Acting Fon Minister Manglapus) as Panel head to replace Garcia, and indicating expectation to resumption Panel negotiations with Ambassador Bohlen4 when he arrives.
Either through Manglapus or directly with President, if opportunity presented tomorrow at luncheon he is giving General Taylor or later, I hope to try to persuade him not to make any unnecessary public moves which might add to difficulty of settling bases issues through normal diplomatic channels or at least arranging through such channels adequate advance understandings to prevent another fiasco if Panel-type discussions have to be resumed.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/3–2757. Secret; Priority.↩
- Raul Manglapus, Acting Foreign Minister of the Philippines.↩
- See Document 421.↩
- Charles E. Bohlen was appointed Ambassador to the Philippines on May 9 and presented his credentials to President Garcia on June 4.↩