Memorandum, "Why is Ambassadorship in the Philippines an important job?"

Why is Ambassadorship in the Philippines an important job? 1. Manila is our largest diplomatic mission the the Far East and is the center for a number of regional services for the whole Far East. 2. Since the Philippines was for 50 years a possession of the US in the eyes of the Far East America is also judged by the success or failure of the new Republic. 3. US private enterprise has greater financial and economic interests in the Philippines than in any other sovereign Far Eastern country. 4. The US plays a more dominant role in Philippine affairs than it does in the internal affairs of any other Far Eastern country. 5. The US has vital strategic interests including military bases in the Philippines. 6. The US has a large military and economic aid program in effect in the Philippines. 7. The security of the Philippines is essential to our overall strategic plans for the defense of the Pacific and we have recently signed a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippine Government. Talkit DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 Ed Foley State Dept. DEB Guidelines, NLT, Date March 10-22-85 6, 1982 By HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY