Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, South and Southeast Asia, Volume XV

404. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State¹

Manila, March 31, 1958—7 p.m.

4032. Embtel 4031² and previous.

1. During my discussion with Vargas on the problem of third-power aircraft reported in reftel, he said he felt that present difficulties were due to activities of customs and immigration officials who feel their reps and duties are not being adequately covered in regard to matters affecting US bases in the Phils. He went on to say that although he realized there had been no resumption of bases discussions, he thought proposed Mutual Defense Board, which had been close to agreement at the time of Bendetsen talks and which provided for the stationing of AFP liaison officers at the bases would be the best method of dealing with this problem, since these liaison officers would come from the Phil mil but at the same time would be reps of the Phil authorities and could handle on the spot with the US mil problems such as the one we were confronting.

2. I believe Vargas’ suggestion has real merit. In general it had been our plan to await resumption of general bases discussions in order to take up the question of a Mutual Defense Board, but since it now seems probable that the Phil Govt is not anxious to open up bases question in general, especially controversial issues of jurisdiction, we might on our own initiative take up the question of a Mutual Defense Board from the point where it was left off.

3. I would, therefore, like authorization when and if the present controversy over third-power aircraft is satisfactorily settled to explore with Serrano the possibility of negotiating an agreement on the establishment of a Mutual Defense Board.

Bohlen

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56396/3–3158. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC POLAD, CINCPAC, PACAF, CINCPACFLT, CINCPACREPPHIL, COMNAVPHIL, and 13th AF SAMAP.
2. Telegram 4031 from Manila, March 31, gave specific instances of the difficulties encountered by third-power aircraft attempting to land at Clark Air Base. (Ibid., 711.56396/3–3158)