If we leave the bases negotiations to the military or the Dept. of Foreign Affairs which have neither imagination nor ingenuity, we will not get anywhere. The negotiations will bog down on details.
So we must inject new elements. We showed interest American businessmen in the investments for the industrial complexes to be put up in the bases. At the same time the strategic importance of the Philippines should be re-emphasized by the scholars and geo-political experts. We need to create a forum tor this.
I have directed Ex. Sec. Alex [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] to do so.
Attached are my notes on his letter.