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

360. Telegram 295628 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines, December 4, 1976, 0159Z.¹ ²

December 4, 1976, 0159Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
295628

O 040159Z DEC 76 ZFF4

FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MANILA NIACT IMMEDIATE

STATE 295628

FOR AMBASSADOR FROM HABIB

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: MARR,PFOR, RP,US

SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE BASE NEGOTIATIONS

1. ROMULO INFORMED US DECEMBER 3 THAT HE HAD SPOKEN TO PRESIDENT MARCOS WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO PROCEED WITH THE AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE ON THE BASIS LAID OUT IN DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AND ROMULO IN MEXICO CITY. MARCOS HAD INSTRUCTED ROMULO TO INFORM US THAT PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT WAS FOR ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR MILITARY AID ALONE AND NOTHING FOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE. THE MILITARY AID WAS TO BE DIVIDED INTO 75 GRANTS AND 25 FMS.

2. ROMULO HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND THAT PHILIPPINES WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION ON THIS MATTER. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING WITH ROMULO AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN WASHINGTON ON DECEMBER 4 ARE CANCELLED.

KISSINGER

1. Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Niact; Immediate. Drafted and approved by Habib; cleared in S/S.
2. Habib transmitted to Sullivan an account of the collapse of negotiations.