Met Amb. William Sullivan from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM before he goes to San Clemente tomorrow (or today) to meet Pres. [Richard] Nixon and new Sec. of State [Henry] Kissinger.
I attach my notes of our conversation.
He strikes me as a pragmatist, cunning, a tough negotiator and unemotional.
My impression is that we will not get much military aid through him although we should work directly on Pres. Nixon and Congress of which he seems terrified.
He seems to feel that Japan is more interested in keeping their trading lanes (there is a Japanese tanker moving to Japan from the Middle East every 50 miles) than in military might.
The China-Russia conflict neutralizes them both and cancels them both, he says the reports that Russia may suddenly attack to neutralize the nuclear launching sites in China which are near their border.
I attach a news report on this which confirms it but limits this possibility to the next 12 to 18 months.
Amb. Sullivan came to inform me that while he is going to San Clemente to meet Pres. Nixon said Sec. Kissinger, he should be coming back as he may not go to Washington to which Pres. Nixon is returning on Sept. 3rd.
Official Gazette for August 26, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has promulgated Presidential Decree No. 277 in order to attain a more realistic allocation of funds for specified irrigation projects and a greater flexibility in the allocation of funds for unlisted yet urgent irrigation projects. PD 277 amends Sec. 1, Annex 1-D of PD No. 3, which appropriates funds for public works involving rehabilitation and capital development, synchronizing the same with previous public work appropriations. PD 277 notes that the amount of P75,700,000 distributed among the various irrigation rejects or systems does not realistically jibe with the actual fund requirements of such projects or systems.
THE PRESIDENT has ordered the institution of a National Reference Card System for Filipino citizens and foreign nationals, a system essential to insuring national security and affording convenience in the transaction of official business with government and private offices and agencies. The setting up of the National Reference Card System and the creation of the National Registration Coordinating Committee to implement the project are embodied in Presidential Decree No. 278.
THE GOVERNMENT has added another incentive for exports by creating the Philippine Design Center which will see to it that Philippine products meet the needs and tastes of foreign markets. As envisioned, the Center will develop and maintain a creative research program on the design and adaptability of Philippine-made products. The bulk of the Center’s work will focus on the produce of cottage and small-and medium-scale industries which now have high market potentials.
He expressed difficulty for even an Executive Agreement on matters pertaining to the new trade agreement.
I told him that unless we understand each other’s point of view we would find treaties and agreements of no avail.