419. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Sebald) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Status of Philippine Base Negotiations
The Department has agreed with Mr. Bendetsen’s assessment that there is no present possibility for settlement, and he has been authorized to call for a recess in the negotiations in order that he may return for consultation and that the United States may reexamine the entire situation. Mr. Bendetsen will make this announcement at a plenary session scheduled for 3:00 P.M., December 5, Manila time. At Mr. Murphy’s suggestion State and Defense will arrange a background briefing for the press. Mr. Bendetsen will issue a press release in Manila after the December 5 meeting.
The recess in the negotiations became necessary after lengthy private consultations with President Magsaysay revealed that he was unwilling to alter the position of the Philippine Negotiating Panel in opposition to many of the important “rock bottom” proposals in the United States draft. The chief disagreements in principle arose over criminal jurisdiction, war-time use of the bases, and the correlation of the Bases Agreement, the Defense Treaty, and the Military Assistance Agreement. Subsequent to the meeting with President Magsaysay the Philippine Panel presented a draft of their counterproposals, including a number of items totally unacceptable to the United States.
The Department has no indication of the course of action President Magsaysay may adopt to counter charges, which may be anticipated, that he has failed to resolve the differences between the United States and the Philippines.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/11 3056. Secret. Drafted in SPA and approved by Bell.↩