Office of the Historian

450. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 31, 19601

Washington, May 31, 1960

SUBJECT

  • Philippine Request for Increase in Sugar Quota

PARTICIPANTS

  • Secretary of Foreign Affairs Serrano of the Philippines
  • Ambassador Romulo of the Philippine Embassy
  • General Cabal, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
  • Minister Collantes, Counselor on Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs
  • The Secretary
  • Mr. Steeves, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Far Eastern Affairs
  • Mr. Mein, Director, Office of Southwest Pacific Affairs

Secretary Serrano said he had been instructed by President Garcia to appeal once more for a share for the Philippines in the United States sugar quota.2 He said that they are fully aware of the problems faced by the Administration, but he wondered whether some method could not be found whereby in return for an increase in Philippine participation in the sugar quota, the Philippines could agree to a larger importation of American tobacco.

The Secretary commented that he was sure Ambassador Romulo understood our difficulties. He said that the Chairman of the Congressional Committee responsible for sugar legislation favors a one-year extension of the Act as it stands and does not wish to hold any hearings. He added that the Chairman was interested in tobacco as well, since he comes from one of the tobacco producing areas of the country. The Secretary said that we had not wanted to open the question of quotas at this time, although we had submitted a Bill which gave the Administration power to act under certain conditions. The Secretary said the Chairman of the Congressional Committee appeared to be holding his Bill so that it would not come out of Committee until very late in the legislative session in the hopes that after passing the House, it would be presented to the Senate at a time when the Senate would not be in a position to do anything except approve extension of the Act so that the Administration’s Bill would [Page 962] not have a chance. The Secretary said we do not know what Congress will do, but at least in the House no attention had been paid to the Administration’s Bill.

Secretary Serrano said he might have an opportunity to talk to Chairman Cooley while in Washington.

Secretary Serrano asked whether he could inform President Garcia that the United States will review the Philippine request for an increase in the sugar quota with sympathy and consideration. The Secretary said that the Administration certainly would do so if the matter of quotas were re-opened. The Secretary said that we feel the same way about the Philippine request that we did in 1946 [1956] when the President issued his statement, but it was doubtful whether the Administration could get anything at this time.3 Secretary Serrano reiterated that he would talk to Chairman Cooley in the hope of being helpful and would discuss with him his suggestion of a tobacco and sugar arrangement.

  1. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. Official Use Only. Drafted by Mein on June 2 and approved in S on June 9. The source text indicates the conversation was held in Secretary Herter’s office. Serrano was in Washington attending the SEATO Council meetings.↩
  2. Garcia had sent Eisenhower a telegram on March 17 asking for an increase in the Philippine sugar quota. Eisenhower replied on March 31 that it was not possible at this time. For texts of the letters, see Department of State Bulletin, April 25, 1960, p. 665.↩
  3. The Administration’s sugar bill was not passed. Instead, Congress extended the 1956 Sugar Act for 3 months and gave the President temporary authority to cut Cuba’s sugar quota and assign it to other countries. This amended Sugar Act was enacted on July 6, 1960, as Public Law 86–592. (74 Stat. 330)↩