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
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
1 Source:
Ford Library,
National Security Adviser, Backchannel Messages, Box 7, Southeast
Asia, 4/75, Incoming. Confidential; Eyes Only.