413. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines1
1111. For your information the signed original of the following letter from the President to Magsaysay is carried by Bendetsen. Letter was recommended by Department of Defense and concurred in by Secretary.
“October 5, 1956.
Dear Mr. President:
I have followed with deep personal interest the military base discussions between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines during the past several months, and I assure you that I consider their successful outcome to be of the utmost importance to our two countries.
I feel sure that the mutual friendship and understanding which has so long existed between the peoples of our two countries will have been furthered by the full and frank exchange of views between the representatives of our two governments during the talks at Manila. The splendid cooperation and effective efforts of the Philippine delegation, I understand, have contributed greatly to the fine progress which has been made.
During the brief recess arranged by the delegations of our two countries, the United States Special Representative, Mr. Karl R. Bendetsen, returned to Washington for consultation with government officials, and I asked him to discuss the various aspects of these matters with me. It is my feeling, as I hope it is yours, that the discussions at Manila have progressed to the point where mutually satisfactory agreement should now be reached. Accordingly, and to this end, I have asked Mr. Bendetsen to return to Manila with my full confidence and support.
With assurance of my high esteem, Sincerely, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
Observe Presidential Handling.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/10–856. Limit Distribution—Presidential Handling. Drafted and approved by Howe; cleared with Harold N. Waddell (FE) and Goodpaster.↩