890.20/8–1549
The Philippine Representative to the United Nations (Romulo) to the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Butterworth) and the Ambassador at Large (Jessup)1
In connection with formation of Southeast Asia Union of which as you know President Quirino has placed me in charge, may I ask you to note that I have endeavored to form, through the President’s letter of instruction to me, concept of the proposed union in line with my conversations with you in Washington prior to my departure for Manila. In accordance with the President’s instructions I have succeeded in obtaining the support of all the political parties in the country for the calling of a conference in Baguio in order to organize a Southeast Asia Union without military commitments, dedicated to the promotion of the common political, economic and cultural interests of the member states.
I am now engaged in sounding out the reaction of the governments of India, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, Burma, Pakistan and Siam towards this proposal. It is obvious that the replies of most of these countries would greatly depend upon the attitude towards such a [Page 1187] union of the major powers concerned in the area, Regarding therefore this aspect of our proposal, I would like to know whether I could give some indication to the invited countries of the US attitude towards the proposed union to the following effect: that the US Government, while not in a position at this time to take active part in the formation of the proposed union, regards with sympathy the efforts of the free countries of Southeast Asia to cooperate more closely with one another in promoting their common interests. In addition, I believe that the State Department itself might give some indication of its attitude directly to the envoys of the interested countries in Washington the better to facilitate their agreement to the principle underlying the Philippine proposal. I should be grateful to receive some assurance that we could adopt such a two-pronged approach to this aspect of the problem in order that the interested countries may consider the proposal of the Philippine Government with the necessary degree of confidence and self-assurance. Thanks and regards. Ambassador Romulo”.
- The source text was transmitted in telegram 1968, August 15, from Manila, not printed. The telegram reported that Romulo had informed the Embassy that he hoped to proceed to the United States shortly after President Quirino’s return to the Philippines on August 19 from his state visit to the United States. Romulo “intends straighten out ‘blunder’ re proposed union made by Quirino during his trip and seek further State Department guidance.” (890.20/8–1549) For documentation on Quirino’s visit to the United States, see Part 1, pp. 596 ff., passim.↩