Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

318. Telegram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State¹

Manila, May 4, 1978, 0955Z

7272. Military addressees handle as Specat Exclusive. Subject: Vice President’s Meeting With Marcos May 3—(Staff in Attendance). Ref: (A) Manila 7196 (Notal), (B) State 30713,—(C) Manila 4888.²

(Following account has not been cleared with Vice President’s party.)

1. Summary. Following 90-minute private meeting between Vice President and President Marcos,³ broader session involving principal advisers on both sides was convened. In 80-minute working session involving this larger group, discussion focused on base negotiations and economic issues. On base negotiations, focus was on issue of sovereignty with shared recognition that Philippine sovereignty at the bases should be manifested and that appropriate arrangements should be made for U.S. command and control in the areas required by the U.S. Marcos suggested, and the Vice President agreed, that a joint statement indicating publicly the progress which has been made in negotiations would be desirable. (See Ref A) It was agreed that discussions (primarily military to military) should now proceed to work out the details on how agreed principles might be applied. Marcos said that the GOP would submit counterproposals to those previously submitted by the U.S., including compensation. Marcos said that the question of compensation should be set aside for later. Describing criminal jurisdiction as one of the thorniest problems, Marcos initially expressed interest in the Japanese formula but seemed to lose enthusiasm upon learning of the side minute to the Japanese SOFA⁴ which brings the Joint Committee into the picture. The Vice President said this difficult and emotional issue should be pursued by the experts. Marcos made a pitch for economic and social help for the areas around the bases, promising specific proposals from the GOP, perhaps in a week. The Vice President said he would welcome these proposals and reiterated that the U.S. does want to help. Contrary to earlier indications, Marcos did not take up the economic issues first, nor did he link them with the base question. He enumerated the economic issues in a perfunctory manner—Philippine mahogany, coconut oil, textile agreement, and the countervailing duty on garments. He accepted readily the Vice President’s responses without seeking further concessions or explanations, and he often appeared totally disinterested in the subject. End Summary.

2. Opening. The Vice President thanked President Marcos for making the meeting possible, referring to sentiments expressed by President Carter in a letter earlier conveyed by the Vice President.⁵ Marcos expressed thanks for the letter from President Carter and the kind thoughts it conveyed. He noted President Carter’s expressed desire to review base negotiations, economic issues and human rights, suggesting that this would be an appropriate agenda (human rights was not discussed at this meeting). Present on the Philippine side were Foreign Secretary Romulo, Defense Secretary Enrile, Justice Secretary Abad Santos, Director of National Development Sicat, Trade Secretary Quiazon, Industry Secretary Paterno, Labor Secretary Ople, Information Secretary Tatad, Solicitor General Mendoza, AFP Chief of Staff General Espino, Presidential Assistant Tuvera, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Collantes, former Vice President Pelaez, and a number of second echelon staff. Present on the U.S. side were members of the official party plus Charge Stull and Embassy officials.

3. Base Negotiations.

—A. Sovereignty. Marcos said that the GOP is preparing a counterproposal to the proposals previously submitted by the U.S., including the compensation package. Marcos, assisted by Enrile, then set out to review the Philippine position on certain of the recent proposals concerning the “issues of sovereignty.”

Marcos expressed agreement that the U.S. should retain control of the “built up” areas at Clark (4,500 hectares) and Subic (6,000 hectares). He said, however, that there are some problems in several of the U.S. proposals. In a somewhat disjointed fashion, Enrile went on to cite the following:

—1) Subic Waters. “We are taking over the entire area (bay) but we will provide assurances that a certain portion will be available to the U.S.”

—2) Grande Island. “We will take over but the facilities will be run by the U.S.”

—3) Watershed. “We proposed that the watershed be reverted but that there be a joint management plan.”

—4) Other Areas. Without being specific, Enrile suggested that the GOP has problems with the U.S. proposal on the State Department regional relay facility at Clark and perhaps with the proposed delineation for San Miguel. He explicitly cited as a problem the proposal to break out of the Wallace Reservation the VOA site. He also said “there is also the question of Camp John Hay—a R&R facility.”

Assistant Secretary Holbrooke noted the progress that has been made in the discussions since last year suggesting that there is now a need to determine how best to continue this process.

—Marcos said that the fundamental issue of sovereignty has been largely settled by the U.S. proposals. He observed that what is needed now is to spell out the manifestations of sovereignty. Marcos cited, for example, the rules and regulations required for the Philippine and U.S. commanders. The Vice President agreed that there is agreement in principle to have a Philippine base commander and to fly the Philippine flag, noting that there is also the requirement to have clearly defined operational arrangements. He suggested that talks proceed on a military to military basis to settle the details. Marcos said the GOP agrees with the proposal submitted by the U.S. on February 13⁶ regarding sovereignty. He then read subparagraphs A, B, C, D, and H from the draft note submitted on that date (Ref B). The Vice President suggested that the Philippine and U.S. commanders meet and work out the details of melding the two principles of Philippine sovereignty and unhampered U.S. command and control. He indicated that when the details are worked out at the military level, they can be submitted to the diplomatic level.

—B. Compensation. The Vice President referred to the “difficult issue of compensation.” He noted that there have been serious problems on amounts. He went on to review the record of congressional opposition to multi-year commitments, noting that the agreement with Turkey had been abandoned because of this problem. The Vice President indicated U.S. willingness to commit itself to a “best faith effort.” Marcos suggested that compensation be set aside for discussion at a later date.

—C. Criminal Jurisdiction. Marcos read the GOP position on criminal jurisdiction as formulated in its aide memoire of March 28 (Ref C). Stating that this is one of the thorniest unresolved issues, Marcos said that the GOP proposal follows the so-called Japanese formula. Solicitor General Mendoza then read the agreed minute to Article XVII, para 3(2) (II) of the Japanese SOFA. Abramowitz pointed out that there is an additional side minute which provides that any evidence to the contrary must be submitted to and approved by both members of a joint committee. Marcos said he had not been aware of this side minute. The Vice President said that the issue of criminal jurisdiction is a difficult and emotional one for both sides, referring to the “Girard” case some years ago in Japan. The Vice President suggested that the legal experts sit down and work on the problem.

—D. Assistance for Olongapo and Angeles. Marcos referred to the need for providing help for the areas around the bases, specifically Angeles and Olongapo cities. Marcos said that the GOP Secretaries of Agriculture, Industry and Labor are developing proposals which may be submitted in a week. Marcos confirmed that the help is needed for the areas outside the bases, not within. However, he did note that he has a recommendation from his Department of Labor that some jobs within the bases be restructured. It was agreed that a drafting group composed of Enrile, Romualdez, Mendoza, Holbrooke, Abramowitz and Armacost would meet later in the day to develop a joint statement on negotiations—a statement subsequently released on our side early May 4 (Ref A) and on the Philippine side about 12 hours later.

4. Economic Issues.

—A. Contrary to earlier indications Marcos did not take up economic issues first, nor did he link the economic issues with the base question. He opened the discussion on economic issues by referring to an aide memoire and stating that the issues are well known. He listed them—Philippine mahogany and coconut oil, the bilateral textile agreement, and the countervailing duty on garments. He doubted that time would permit a discussion of the air agreement.

—B. The Vice President told Marcos that our offer on coconut oil for zero duty has been reinstated but that the most we can go on mahogany plywood under the Trade Act is from 20 percent to 8 percent. He stressed that we need GOP counter-offers to sustain our generous offer involving over 300 million dollars of Philippine exports, to which President said GOP can offer 81 items. (This is offer tabled April 27 and found wanting by USDEL MTN.)

—C. The Vice President assured Marcos of our understanding of Philippine situation regarding countervailing duty investigation on garments, to which Romulo could not resist reading his aide memoire (see Manila 4739).⁷ He reiterated that U.S. will be prepared to negotiate new textile agreement the third week in May.

—D. Offer to send DOE energy team to Philippines was accepted immediately by Marcos who expressed hope that Secretary of Energy Velasco could meet with Secretary Schlesinger (which was subsequently arranged by Vice President). GOP officials present appreciated use of LANDSAT facilities and promised to send memo to the Vice President on their utility.

—E. Marcos emphasized that GOP had complied with American desires on the termination of the Laurel-Langley agreement,⁸ and read lengthy litany of GOP action on land, leases, retail trade, anti-dummy ruling, and service contracts. These GOP acts met American desires, and he wanted VP and USG to know about it. Comment. Although Marcos made no direct linkage between GOP action and USG action or inaction, there was strong implication that only one side (GOP) had met desires of other side (U.S.).

—F. On ASEAN, the Vice President expressed hope that US/ASEAN meeting in August be on Ministerial level.⁹ Romulo said that question will be discussed in ASEAN Foreign Ministerial in June¹⁰ and Thailand had serious reservations because of its neighbors (Vietnam and Cambodia). Romulo added that the VP can persuade Uppadit to come along, but stressed that Washington meeting must show results.

—G. Comment. Marcos handled the economic issues in a matter-of-fact, sometimes disinterested manner, and accepted readily the Vice President’s responses without seeking further concessions.

Stull

1. Source: Carter Library, Donated Historical Material, Mondale Papers, Overseas Assignments—Trip Files, 1977–1980, Box 21, VP’s Visit to the Pacific, 4/29/78–5/11/78: Philippines—Diplomatic Trip Cables 4/28–6/2/78 [2]. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information Immediate to Bangkok, SecDef, JCS, CINCPAC, CINCPACFLT, CINCPACAF, CINCPACREPPH, 13THAF, and Tokyo.
2. Telegram 7196 from Manila, May 3, transmitted the joint statement to be issued on May 4, and telegram 30713 to Manila, February 4, transmitted the texts of notes and implementing arrangements for an agreement on the Philippine bases. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780189–0078 and D780054–0767) Telegram 4888 from Manila, March 28, is printed as Document 315.
3. No record of the meeting, which concerned human rights, has been found, but see Documents 129 and 322. See also Jay Matthews, “Mondale Suggests Marcos Release His Jailed Foes,” Washington Post, May 4, 1978, p. A1.
4. Reference is to Article VI of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, January 19, 1960. (11 UST 1652; TIAS 4510) For the text of the treaty and related documents, see Department of State Bulletin, February 8, 1960, pp. 184–198.
5. See Document 317.
6. Telegram 2396 from Manila, February 13, reported on Newsom’s meeting with Marcos in which he presented the package of proposed notes, implementing arrangements, and maps. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780065–0541)
7. Telegram 4739 from Manila, March 27, transmitted the text of the March 26 Philippine aide-mémoire regarding the investigation. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780132–0535)
8. See foonote 13, Document 293.
9. The second U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue was scheduled to take place August 3–4 in Washington. See Document 131.
10. The 11th ASEAN Ministerial meeting was scheduled to take place June 14–16 in Pattaya, Thailand. A summary of the meeting is in telegram 17756 from Bangkok, June 21. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780258–0605)