796.5 MSP/6–2054: Telegram
No. 370
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the
Philippines
16. Your 2977.1 Dept not cognizant any urgent matters that require meeting Phil-US Council but appreciates political importance Phil Govt attaches to first meeting. We have assumed Phil desire establish Council motivated in large part by necessity satisfying objections ultra-Nationalists to Philippine participating United Action. If this view correct it would appear maximum political impact would be obtained by Garcia meeting with Secretary, who, because of heavy schedule, will not be able attend any meeting outside U.S. as suggested by Magsaysay. Philippine Embassy has been notified Garcia plans arrive New York July 4 and Washington July 8.
Vargas has handed Defense Philippine Government proposals, summary being pouched. We believe substantive matters relating mutual defense including Vargas’ proposals can now best be handled by military representatives possibly at Honolulu. Philippine domestic political requirements would be satisfied by talks during Garcia’s visit here. Inasmuch as only Philippine proposals we have received deal with matters of strictly military nature, we believe no useful purpose could be served by meeting of deputies.2
- Supra.↩
On July 2, the Department expressed the belief that the forthcoming meeting of Dulles and Garcia should constitute the first session of the Council and requested the Embassy’s views on this suggestion. (Telegram 37 to Manila; 796.5 MSP/7–254)
Subsequently, Lacy reported to the Department that the President did not wish Garcia to represent the Philippines at the first Council meeting, although he did not want Garcia informed of his disapproval. Magsaysay desired that the first meeting be held in Manila, with military representatives present and Felino Neri in charge of the Philippine Delegation. (Telegram 32, July 5; 796.5 MSP/7–554)
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