410. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons) to the Secretary of State1

SUBJECT

  • United States Policy Toward the Philippines, NSC 58132

A review of the previous Philippine policy paper (NSC 5413/1)3 was recommended in the OCB Report on the Philippines of April 2, 1958.4 Subsequently, a decision was taken by the NSC Planning Board to initiate a revision of the Philippine policy paper. A copy of the revised paper (NSC 5813) is attached and is summarized below.

The four U.S. objectives set forth in this paper parallel those in NSC 5413/1 of April 5, 1954 and relate to: 1) the kind of government and economy we wish to see functioning in the Philippines; 2) our continued need for military bases there; 3) a Philippine military establishment adapted to the needs of the country’s internal and external security; and 4) continued general harmony between U.S. and Philippine policies.

The policy guidance on political matters reflects the replacement in the Philippines of the dynamic, dedicated and basically honest administration of the late President Magsaysay by an administration [Page 852] which has gotten off to a slow and uncertain start which has raised doubts regarding its ability to carry forward an effective program of economic development and social reform.

The guidance on economic matters puts greater emphasis on stability and sound policies although still stressing the need for economic expansion and reform of social inequities. Philippine officials are to be encouraged to make the most efficient use of available human and material resources in working toward economic goals, and to create conditions attractive to outside sources of assistance.

In paragraph 32 it is provided that U.S. officials should encourage a solution of problems arising out of Church-State relations, pointing out the advantages which derived from strict separation of Church and State during the decades of U.S. tutelage in the Philippines. This would in effect mean that the U.S. would be taking an official position on the matter of Church and State in the Philippines, contrary to the official stand at home of non-involvement in such matters. It would be preferable therefore to drop this paragraph.

A new element in the guidance on military matters consists in working for continued improvement in Philippine public understanding of the mutual values of the U.S. bases to the security of both countries. The former guidance on acquisition and relinquishment of land for base areas has been enlarged to include review, upon Philippine request, of those aspects of bases arrangements with which the Philippines has expressed dissatisfaction, with a view to reaching mutually acceptable solutions.

Recommendation

That you concur in the adoption by the NSC of the statement of policy set forth in the attached paper, with the deletion of paragraph 32.

  1. Source: Department of State, S/SNSC Files: Lot 63 D 351, NSC 5813 Series. Secret. Drafted in SPA and concurred in by Robert Murphy.
  2. Not printed, but see infra.
  3. Dated April 5, 1954; Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. XII, Part 2, pp. 590600.
  4. Not printed. (Department of State, OCB Files: Lot 62 D 430)