896.00–R/11–1750: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines
951. Eyes only Chapin. Deptel 897 Nov 13. Dept seriously concerned over omission Foster–Quirino agreement1 to specify special session of Congr and date therefor. Even though Quirino may have had personal polit reasons for desiring this omission Dept considered and still considers this undertaking on his part as one of most important points he cld have made as evidence his determination and good faith. [Page 1525] His oral undertaking with Foster that he wld call special session in Dec only half satis and will be completely unsatis if he pursues his customary dilatory tactics and postpones session until late Dec.
Pls seek earliest opportunity discuss this matter with him and to make clear that US Govt confidently expects him to convene special session first week Dec.2
As you will have gathered from reference tel misunderstanding has arisen between Dept and ECA over division of responsibility. This misunderstanding now in process of being straightened out. For your info only and unless you receive instr to contrary you may proceed upon assumption that full responsibility for implementation Bell program and collateral matters rests with Dept and Emb and that ECA has been designated responsibility for implementation econ aid program under supervision of Emb and for such other phases of the program as Dept in future may opportunely designate.
- Ante, p. 1521.↩
- Telegram 1324, November 18, from Manila, not printed, reported that President Quirino that morning assured Charge Chapin that he would recommend a special session of the Philippine Congress in accordance with his Baguio commitment (796.21/11–1850). The first part of the special session of the Congress was held, December 4–22, 1950, but it adjourned without passing tax or wage legislation.↩