Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State James Webb to President Harry S. Truman

DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 10-22-85 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON February 28, 1951 CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Call of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, General Carlos P. Romulo, on Wednesday, February 28, 1951. General Romulo expressed a desire to call on you before you leave Washington on vacation. It is believed that he will wish to discuss the following topics: 1. ECA Program in the Philippines The Philippine Congress since the first week of last December has been considering legislation under the provisions of the Quirino-Foster Agreement which it undertook to pass as the condition precedent to an ECA program. It has approved a general resolution expressing approval of the over-all intent of the Bell Report but it is still debating additional tax and minimum wage legislation. General Romulo would like the FY 51 program started right now in order to strengthen the hand of President Quirino who is pressing this legislation to the best of his ability. The ECA program for FY 51 amounts to $15 million and for FY 52 will recommend to the Congress a program of approximately $50 million. 2. An Expanded Military Program for the Philippines The Philippine Government has requested budgetary assistance to help in paying for expenses of Philippine armed forces. This proposal is now under consideration. The approved MDAP provides for an expansion of the Philippine army by ten battalion combat teams. The Commanding General of the Joint United States Military Advisory Group believes this program will be sufficient in terms of materiel if properly handled. The Department is now discussing with the Department of Defense a proposal which will permit American officers to participate in combat activities and also to participate more actively in the organization and training of the Philippine army. 3. United Nations CONFIDENTIAL HARRY S.