Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

796.5 MSP/9–354: Telegram

No. 374
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines

secret

Washington, September 3, 1954—7:43 p.m.

883. Department and Defense considering Philippines request purchase reimbursable basis 400 pounds napalm thickener. Before approving Department wishes know (1) whether State-Defense agreement use napalm contained Army telegram to JUSMAGPHIL DA 90243 December 21 [18], 1951¹ still believed effective and necessary and (2) whether Embassy and JUSMAG perceive objection filling present request.²

Smith

1. For text, see Foreign Relations, 1951, vol. vi, Part 2, p. 1593.

2. The Embassy in Manila sent the following reply on Sept. 29:

   “Department 883, Napalm.

   “(1) Embassy and JUSMAG believe cited agreement use napalm effective and necessary.

   “(2) Both Embassy and JUSMAG foresee complications from control standpoint if napalm purchased on reimbursable basis.

   “According Embassy files existing agreement applicable napalm furnished non-reimbursable basis. JUSMAG desires retain control use napalm in accordance with existing agreement.” (Telegram 970; 796.5 MSP/9–2954)

   A notation on the file copy of telegram 970 by James Bell, Officer in Charge of Philippine Affairs, reads: “S/MSA to refuse Phil request”.