335. Backchannel Message 170 From the Ambassador to the Philippines (Sullivan) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Manila, April 16, 1975, 0321Z.1 2
April 16,
1975, 0321Z
R 160321Z APR 75
TO THE WHITE HOUSE
160321Z APR 75
TO: WHITE HOUSE
FROM: MANILA 170
EYES ONLY GENERAL SCOWCROFT FROM AMBASSADOR SULLIVAN
REF: W.H. 50639
- 1.
- IN REFTEL YOU INVITED ME TO USE THIS CHANNEL ON MATTERS OF PARTICULAR SENSITIVITY. I REALIZE THIS IS A TIME OF GREAT PREOCCUPATION WITH INDOCHINA, BUT THERE ARE REPERCUSSIONS RE OUR BASES IN PHILIPPINES ON WHICH I HAVE BEEN UNABLE OBTAIN GUIDANCE IN STATE CHANNELS.
- 2.
- MATTER AT ISSUE CONCERNS PHILIPPINE “REASSESSMENT” U.S. BASES. I FEEL THIS CAN BE HANDLED EFFECTIVELY IF WE TAKE CERTAIN FORTHRIGHT STEPS. AMONG STEPS WHICH I HAVE BEEN URGING THROUGH HABIB IS PROPOSAL THAT PRESIDENT FORD PLAN TO MAKE MANILA A ONE-WAY “REST STOP” ENROUTE TO CHINA NEXT FALL. I HAVE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT HAK DO SAME THING ON HIS PREPARATORY TRIP, ASSUMING ONE WILL BE MADE.
- 3.
- MY PURPOSE IN THIS IS TO HAVE HAK AND PHILS PREPARE A “DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES” WHICH WOULD THEN BE SIGNED BY PRESIDENTS FORD AND MARCOS. THIS DECLARATION COULD TAKE MOST OF THE STEAM OUT OF THE MILITARY BASES ISSUE AND LAY FOUNDATION FOR ORDERLY NEGOTIATIONS ON SUBJECT WITH LEAST DISRUPTIVE RESULTS. IT WOULD PROBABLY PRESAGE SUBSTITUTION OF SOME SORT OF ANNUAL RENTAL IN PLACE OF OUR CURRENT ANNUAL MILITARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. ALL IN ALL, THESE PROPOSALS SEEM A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR PRESERVATION OF OUR BASES HERE.
- 4.
- CURRENT PROBLEM IS THAT ALL OFFICIAL U.S. STATEMENTS ON ASIA SEEM TO IGNORE PHILIPPINES. PRESIDENT FORD’S FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH LISTED NUMBER OF FRIENDS IN ASIA, BUT OMITTED PHILIPPINES. JIM SCHLESINGER’S NEW YORK [Page 2] SPEECH SPOKE OF HONORING OUR COMMITMENTS TO JAPAN AND KOREA, BUT SAID NOTHING OF PHILIPPINES. I DON’T THINK A SPECIAL, GRATUITOUS, STATEMENT ON PHILIPPINES IS REQUIRED AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE IT WOULD APPEAR TOO FACILE. BUT I DO NEED GUIDANCE FOR ORDERLY NEGOTIATIONS, AND IN MY JUDGMENT, VISITS BY PRESIDENT FORD AND HAK ARE CENTERPIECE OF THAT GUIDANCE.
- 5.
- IT WOULD APPEAR FROM ABSENCE ANY HABIB REPLY TO THREE MESSAGES I HAVE SENT HIM ON THIS SUBJECT THAT HE IS TOO TIED UP WITH OTHER THINGS TO HAVE RAISED SUBJECT TO DECISION LEVELS. HE MAY ALSO FEEL THAT FALL IS LONG WAYS AHEAD AND DECISIONS CAN BE MADE MUCH LATER. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEED DECISION NOW SO THAT I KNOW HOW TO SHAPE STRATEGY FOR EFFECTIVE RETENTION OF OUR BASES.
- 6.
- THEREFORE, I AM ENLISTING YOUR HELP TO CUT THROUGH BUREAUCRACY TO HAK AND THE PRESIDENT FOR AN EARLY (AND FAVORABLE) REPLY.
- 7.
- WARM REGARDS