Office of the Historian

400. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State1

Manila, March 12, 1958—noon.

Secto 20. For Dillon from the Secretary. During breakfast with President Garcia this morning he asked me if I would do what I could to help the Philippines obtain some 50 thousand tons of rice from U.S. sources under PL–480.2 Secretary Serrano, who was present, said that they had heard from Romulo that of the 100 thousand tons available the Philippines might receive 20 thousand tons but the balance would go to India and Pakistan and one other Southeast Asian country.

I explained to Garcia the problem we had in regard to the availability of rice and the fact that other countries had gotten in their requests ahead of the Philippines, but I felt that if we could make some special effort in this direction in view of the genuine Philippine need, because of drought conditions, we should do so. The President feels that 40 to 50 thousand tons to be delivered during June would help tide them over the most difficult period.

Could you let me know what prospects there are of meeting this request as I would like to inform Garcia before my departure on the fourteenth.3

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 411.9641/3–1258. Secret; Priority.↩
  2. The Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act, approved July 10, 1954. (68 Stat. 454)↩
  3. The Department of State replied that, after interbureau consultation, it was decided that either 20,000 or 25,000 tons could be allotted to the Philippines. (Tosec 30 to Manila, March 12; Department of State, Central Files, 411.9641/3–1258) Final agreement for shipping the rice was reached on June 3. (Telegram 5496 from Manila, June 3; ibid., 411.9641/6–358)↩