Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973–1976

326. Telegram 020401 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines, January 31, 1974, 0311Z.¹ ²

January 31, 1974, 0311Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
020401

P 310311Z JAN 74 ZFF4

FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 4324

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: PBOR, MARR, MOPS, RP, CH

SUBJECT: POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SPRATLEY ISLANDS
EYES ONLY AMBASSADOR

1. YOUR TEL 0998 PARA 5 RAISES FOUR ISSUES:

(A) LEGAL POSITION ON US OBLIGATION TO ACT IF PHL FORCES ARE ATTACKED IN SPRATLEYS; WE HAVE SENT STATE 017663 WHICH IS PARTIAL AND PRELIMINARY RESPONSE AND WE ARE STILL LOOKING INTO US POSITION.

(B) ASSURANCE TO YOU THAT US IS CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE TO GUARD AGAINST SURPRISE ATTACK ON SPRATLEYS; THE HIGHEST APPROPRIATE LEVEL HERE HAS DECIDED THAT SUCH SURVEILLANCE WILL NOT RPT NOT BE UNDERTAKEN.

(C) YOU SUGGEST “DEMARCHE TO PEKING TO WARN CHINESE THAT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST PHL FORCES WOULD ENGAGE US OBLIGATIONS”; A NUMBER OF FACTORS RULE THIS OUT AT THIS TIME: THE LACK OF TIME: THE UNCERTAINTY OF US POSITION (A, ABOVE), LACK OF ANY INDICATIONS THAT PRC INTENDS TO MOVE AGAINST SPRATLEYS, AND OTHERS.

(D) YOUR REQUEST FOR AUTHORITY TO CONSULT WITH PHL OFFICIALS SHOULD, OBVIOUSLY, AWAIT FURTHER EXAMINATION OF POINT (A).

2. WE WILL BE REPLYING IN LESS RESTRICTED CHANNEL ON POINTS OTHER THAN B AND C.

KISSINGER

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 558, Country Files, Far East, Philippines, 1 January 1974. Secret; Cherokee; Priority; Nodis; Eyes Only Ambassador. Drafted by Hummel; cleared by Lord and Scowcroft; and approved by Kissinger.
2. The Department conveyed the U.S. position regarding the Spratly Islands.