Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 329
Memorandum by Morris Draper of the Policy Reports Staff to the Officer in Charge of Philippine Affairs (Bell)
On Saturday, June 12, the Secretary stated his opposition to formation of a formal Defense Council between the United States and the Philippines along lines parallel to that formed under the ANZUS Treaty. After hearing Mr. Drumright’s explanation that such a step is desirable to aid Magsaysay in his internal political relations and that the JCS supported the move in contrast to their attitude toward the ANZUS Council a few years ago, the Secretary agreed that an organization could be formed as long as its ad hoc [Page 565] aspects were emphasized. He particularly does not want a permanent organ meeting regularly in Washington.
The Secretary was not particularly happy at the way Secretary Wilson had set this up and added, at least by implication, that he would prefer to keep such a Council within the Defense Department operation.