Office of the Historian

448. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Philippines1

Washington, February 24, 1960—8:52 p.m.

2537. Our 2473.2 Your 2582.3FYI. CAB views re position US-Phil now received. CAB amenable to grant of route to any one point on [Page 958] West Coast via Tokyo (omitting Honolulu). Point to be selected by Phils will be common for new route and existing Central Pacific route. No beyond rights on new Tokyo route and beyond rights on Central Pacific route limited to Latin America. White House has expressed interest and will want clear US position4 before decision on negotiation can be made. Therefore impossible provide Serrano answer on negotiations for February 25 meeting. Info this para should not be divulged to anyone. End FYI.

Request you advise Serrano negotiations under active consideration by interested Washington agencies and hope for formal US proposals on timing and place soon.

Dillon
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.9694/2–2460. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by John S. Meadows; cleared with TRC, SPA, CAB, and E; and approved by Henry T. Snowdon.↩
  2. In telegram 2473 to Manila, February 19, the Department suggested that the Embassy ask the Philippine authorities to extend the existing air transport agreement, which would expire on March 3, on a month-to-month basis until negotiations were completed on a new agreement. (Ibid., 611.9694/2–1960) The Philippine Government agreed to the proposal.↩
  3. In telegram 2582 from Manila, February 23, Ambassador Hickerson reported that Serrano definitely wanted to renegotiate the agreement. (Ibid., 611.9694/2–2360) Subsequently, U.S. and Philippine representatives held meetings in Washington, April 26–June 2, but no agreement was reached. Minutes of the meetings are ibid., 611.9694.↩
  4. White House clearance was received on March 17. (Telegram 2789 to Manila, March 17; ibid., 611.9694/3–1760)↩