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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, South and Southeast Asia, Volume XV
  4. Document 420

420. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State 1

Manila , August 21, 1958—6 p.m.

670. Reference: Embtel 653, 660.2 As anticipated rising newspaper publicity and reported statements by senators and other officials urging resumption of base negotiations apparently pushed Garcia and Serrano into a private discussion of the question, resulting in following official Malacanang3 statement: “President holds view that at this stage there is need for exploratory talk on normal diplomatic level to determine basis for the resumption of formal negotiations on the bases”.

According to afternoon papers Serrano followed up Presidential statement by saying that exploratory talks would not be undertaken until after his return from UNGA in mid-October, and following preparatory measures taken: (1) time and place for exploratory talks; (2) [Page 891] measures to avoid premature publicity; (3) spelling out of points of agreement and disagreement; (4) proper documentation of talks for reference purposes; (5) selection of FonOff personnel to assist Secretary. Garcia was also quoted as warning against hasty action until Philippine specialists had made thorough study of basic causes of disagreement. If we can credit these newspaper reports it would seem that both the President and Serrano are anxious to reduce the current pressure for precipitate action and are desirous of approaching the subject in an orderly and dignified manner, which would be all to the good. I will be seeing Serrano tomorrow at a reception and will hope to receive clarification of Phil intentions.

Bohlen
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/8–2158. Confidential. Repeated to CINCPAC.↩
  2. In telegram 653 from Manila, August 20, Bohlen reported that base issues made front-page headlines in Philippine papers, having been stirred up by statements of an unidentified U.S. official to a correspondent in Washington to the effect that the United States did not wish to resume the base negotiations. (Ibid., 711.56396/8–2058) In telegram 660 from Manila, also August 20, Bohlen added that there was a UPI story on U.S. bases. (Ibid., 711.56396/8–2058) These prominent press stories increased the Philippine discontent brought about by the slaying of pilferers at the Clark Air Base on July 27. (Telegram 684 from Manila, August 22; ibid., 961.61/8–2258)↩
  3. The Philippine presidential palace.↩