Danger Spots in the Far East

First, there is the Philippines, where maintenance of our current base arrangements, however modified in detail, is essential. The Filipinos wish to get rid of the last vestiges of colonialism, in this case focusing on the bases. But at least in that part of the world, bases under someone else’s sovereignty are soft.

The single factor that could wreck successful negotiation of this issue is the “human rights” emphasis. The more we push the Marcos administration on human rights, the less chance there will be to solve the base problem. Failure to solve it will very substantially diminish the value of our security arrangements with Japan, and will drive Japan toward rearmament in a form we cannot approve.

DR

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David Nelson Rowe

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First, there is the Philippines, where maintenance of our current base arrangements, however modified in detail, is essential. The Filipinos wish to get rid of the last vestiges of colonialism, in this case focusing on the bases. But at least in that part of the world, bases under someone else’s sovereignty are soft.

The single factor that could wreck successful negotiation of this issue is the “human rights” emphasis. The more we push the Marcos administration on human rights, the less chance there will be to solve the base problem. Failure to solve it will very substantially diminish the value of our security arrangements with Japan, and will drive Japan toward rearmament in a form we cannot approve.