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

356. Telegram 267549 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines, November 24, 1976, 0015Z.¹ ²

November 24, 1976, 0015Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
267549

DRAFTED BY: EA/PHL:BAFLECK:PAW
APPROVED BY P:PCHABIB
EA:AWHUMEL, JR.
S/S: PSEBASTIAN
S:DSPASSAGE

O 240015Z NOV 76 ZFF4

FM SECSTATE WASHDC

TO AMEMBASSY MANILA IMMEDIATE

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: MRR, RP

SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE BASE NEGOTIATIONS: SECRETARY’S NOVEMBER 23 MEETING WITH ROMULO

1. AT HIS INITIATIVE, FOREIGN SECRETARY ROMULO CALLED ON SECRETARY NOVEMBER 23, ACCOMPANIED BY AMBASSADORS ROMUALDEZ AND MABILANGAN. ALSO PRESENT WERE HABIB, HUMMEL, AND COUNTRY DIRECTOR.

2. INITIALLY, SECRETARY AND ROMULO MET ALONE FOR TEN MINUTES. DURING THIS PERIOD, ROMULO GAVE SECRETARY AN AIDE-MEMOIRE WHICH (1) PROPOSED A FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PACKAGE TOTALING DOLS 2 BILLION: (2) STATED THAT THE GOP DOES NOT INTEND TO HAMPER U.S. OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AT THE BASES; (3) REQUESTED CLARIFICATION OF THE TERMS “METROPOLITAN TERRITORY” AND “PACIFIC AREA,” AS USED IN THE MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY; AND (4) SOUGHT A MORE FORCEFUL AND UNEQUIVOCAL STATEMENT OF USG READINESS TO DEFEND THE PHILIPPINES AGAINST EXTERNAL AGGRESSION. TEXT OF AIDE-MEMOIRE SENT SEPTEL.

3. SECRETARY INFORMED ROMULO THAT HE SAW NO POSSIBILITY OF U.S. AGREEMENT TO DOLS 2 BILLION FIGURE AND SAID THIS MATTER WOULD HAVE TO BE LEFT FOR CONSIDERATION BY NEXT ADMINISTRATION. HE SAID HE THOUGHT ISSUE OF MDT DEFINITIONS COULD BE HANDLED AND THAT AIDE-MEMOIRE’S STATEMENT REGARDING OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS PROVIDED CONCEPTUAL BASIS FOR FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE REMAINING UNRESOLVED ISSUES.

4. IT WAS AGREED THAT RESPONSE TO PRESS INQUIRIES WOULD BE THAT THE TWO SECRETARIES HAD AGAIN DISCUSSED BASE NEGOTIATIONS, THAT FURTHER PROGRESS WAS MADE, AND THAT NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING.

ROBINSON

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 16, Philippines, State Department Telegrams From SECSTATE-NODIS. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Fleck; cleared by Hummel and Sebastian; approved by Habib. Telegram 287342 to Manila, November 23, provides the verbatim text of the aide-memoire that Romulo gave to Kissinger. (National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)
2. The Department reported on Kissinger’s November 23 meeting with Romulo.