Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia

383. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, April 23, 1963, 11–11:30 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Bataan–Corregidor Memorial

PARTICIPANTS

• [Here follows the same list as Document 380.]

The President asked Vice President Pelaez about the status of the Bataan–Corregidor memorial. Vice President Pelaez reported that the Philippine Government was moving ahead and had already done a lot to clean up the Island and improve the tunnels, and were awaiting for word from the United States.

Mr. Bell explained that we had only recently had an opportunity to discuss this with the Congress; that the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Commission had finally come around to accepting the proposal for a modest memorial and that legislation to get funds to carry on this project would shortly be introduced.

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Philippines, General, 1/63–6/63. Official Use Only. Drafted by Bell. The ending time of the meeting, which was held at the White House, is from the President’s Appointment Book. (Ibid.) The source text is labeled “Part IV if IV”; for Parts I–III, see Documents 380–383.