896.00–R/2–2651: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Philippines (Cowen)1 to the Secretary of State

secret

2542. During first long breakfast meeting Quirino this morning fully discussed all matters Deptel 1938, February 24,2 also conveyed message Deptel 1892 February 203 and pursuant talk with Checchi ECA position as stated Ecato 151, February 22.4

Quirino stated Checchi had informed both Yulo5 and Perez6 that 15 million would be in addition to 250 million in Bell recommendation and that Checchi had agreed with Yulo on program for expenditure 15 million in advance completion legislation contemplated by Foster–Quirino agreement. Checchi denies this and I am willing accept Checchi version. Much of this confusion stems from Checchi talk with Perez week before last against which I had cautioned him.7 Quirino expressed himself as being “exasperated” with delay in US economic aid as well as equipment for addition of BCT’s. President said Philippine [Page 1515] Government has already enlisted 3,000 additional men and will complete enlistment another 2,000 for first additional five BCT’s by April. Checchi, Yulo and I will meet the President at five this afternoon at President’s invitation to clarify ECA position and as reported in another cable, Hobbs, Duque and I will meet with President at breakfast tomorrow.

President told me he had instructed Neri to direct Romulo return Manila at once inasmuch as Romulo proving ineffective in obtaining urgently required military equipment plus 50 million budgetary assistance. Also said Elizalde inquiring as to why two Philippine Ambassadors required in Washington. Also indicated irritation over Romulo’s speaking engagements in various parts US and wide publicity resulting therefrom while Romulo urgently needed here both in his own department and to help bolster his (Quirino’s) domestic position. When I advised that Romulo had been performing helpful and extremely important function in UN Quirino responded political committee not presently active. Quirino finally agreed that if I thought Romulo’s continued presence Washington advisable he would agree further stay there8 but it is my impression that Romulo’s present interests would be best served by his relatively early return.

Cowen
  1. Ambassador Cowen bad returned to Manila February 24.
  2. Not printed. In it the Department had suggested a number of representations which the Ambassador might make to President Quirino, with the purpose of persuading the President to allow Minister Romulo to remain in the United States (and at his post at the United Nations) for the time being. (796.13/2–2451)
  3. This telegram reads as follows: “In view frequency in which it is necessary to beat up Quirino Dept suggests you may wish to seek out occasion express to him Depts appreciation for his statement on departure of Sukarno”. (796.00/2–2051) Reference is to President Quirino’s public statement (which included a reaffirmation of the Philippine relationship with the United States) on the occasion of the departure in mid-February, of President Sukarno of Indonesia following a state visit to the Philippines.
  4. Ante, p. 1512.
  5. José Yulo, Chairman of the Philippine Council for United States Aid, a Philippine Government agency established November 25, 1950, by President Quirino in accordance with the terms of the Quirino–Foster Agreement.
  6. Eugenio Perez, Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives.
  7. In Toeca 134 from Manila, February 15, Mr. Checchi had described this incident in part as follows: “Press today carried garbled version routine Checchi conference with speaker [of the House of Representatives Eugenio] Perez, which was held behind closed doors. Version released by Perez orally without clearance this office.… Release incomplete or distorted version of a conference not an unusual technique here, but this first time used on us. Our previous meetings with Perez and other Philippine Government officials on same or similar matters have not been reported by press.” (FRC Lot 53 A 278: ECA Cable File) The ECA cable file for early 1951 includes records of numerous previous conversations between Mr. Checchi and members of the Philippine Congress regarding the legislation envisaged by the Foster–Quirino Agreement.
  8. In telegram 2520 from Manila, February 23, the Embassy had reported in part that Acting Foreign Secretary Neri had, in referring to Romulo’s instruction to return to Manila, deplored the word “recall” and said that Romulo was not expected to return immediately. This statement had been given the press on February 21 (Manila time). (796.00/2–2351)