Office of the Historian

313. Memorandum Prepared for the 303 Committee1

Washington, September 13, 1965.

SUBJECT

  • [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] Action in the 1965 Philippine Election

1. Summary

Two Philippine reform leaders have requested [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] assistance in the amount of [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for themselves and the [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for the 1965 election. The individuals in question [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] have been guided and influenced by the United States in one way or another through most of their political lives. They have reciprocated by maintaining legislative records consistently in line with United States policy, and political lives outstandingly sympathetic to American objectives.2

[less than 1 line of source text not declassified] does not wish to underwrite a [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] political party. It is proposed however, that [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] each be provided these individuals and “personal” support for their current election campaigns. The “personal” nature of this highly selective support is an earnest of continuing confidence in the two men as responsible, young political leaders in the country and reflects a distinct reluctance to support disruptive, probably unsuccessful, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] party activity per se. The proposed support in the amount of [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] is directed entirely to the future potential represented by these individuals in their continuing role as the nucleus around which a politically attractive reform movement in the Philippines might develop and not to their current [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] party candidacy. Support up to [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] might be required as assistance to two or three other political reformist candidates, without regard to their party affiliations. The proposed financial support can be passed in a secure, non-attributable manner. The estimated cost of this proposal is [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. [Page 686] These funds are available within [less than 1 line of source text not declassified].3

[Here follow sections 2. Problem, 3. Factors Bearing on the Problem, 4. Coordination, and 5. Recommendation.]

  1. Source: National Security Council, Special Group/303 Committee Files, Subject Files, Philippines. Secret; Eyes Only.↩
  2. At a meeting on September 8 among CIA, State, and White House officials who discussed this proposal, Cuthell characterized the two [text not declassified] as “nice boys, but perfectly useless.” (Memorandum from Stuart to Hughes, September 10; Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Philippines, 1964–1968)↩
  3. At its meeting on September 23, the 303 Committee rejected “the proposed [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] action on Philippines elections on the grounds that, as the proposal itself stated, ‘the Philippines is not in a crisis area at the moment’ and the republic is not threatened directly by a communist takeover.” The disapproval, according to the minutes, “is in no way construed as affecting the [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for purposes other than extra support for the current election campaign.” (National Security Council, 303 Committee Minutes, 9/23/65)↩