Pres. [Richard] Nixon has ordered the blockade on North Vietnam. In the letter he sent me to be delivered before he made his speech, he anticipated: “I have ordered the mining of all entrances to North Vietnam ports to prevent access and also to prevent North Vietnamese naval operations from these ports. I have also directed U.S. forces to prevent the delivery of seaborne supplies to North Vietnam within its claimed territorial waters. Rail and other transportation means will be interdicted.”
Actually Pres. Nixon had no alternative. The other option was an Icheon-type landing in North Vietnam. And the South Vietnamese are not capable of this.
Let us hope this does not start a 3rd World War. I do not believe so. Negotiations may be the result.
Official Gazette for May 9, 1972: The President met at midmorning with his fiscal, economic and trade advisers.
During the meeting, the President discussed with the group several matters including a program to offset the trade imbalance which the Philippines has with other countries; the problems of tourism; and the finalization of recommendations on the progressive car manufacturing program.
The President deplored the lack of system in the efforts to offset the imbalance of trade with several countries including Australia, Canada, Hongkong, Singapore and others.
Jovito Rivera, general manager of the National Export Trading Center, informed the conference that in accordance with the plan to promote exports, the NETRACOR had sold 2,000 tons of coconut oil to Japan and ginger from the Greater Manila Terminal Food Market to Pakistan. He also said Netracor has been engaged in scouting for buyers of red beans in Japan.
The President likewise expressed disappointment over the promotion of tourism in the Philippines. He opined that international airlines operating in the country could help boost tourism while increasing their own profits.
On the progressive car manufacturing program, the President directed the Board of Investments, the Central Bank and the National Economic Council to finalize their recommendations in order to get the program moving.
He explained that the original recommendation on the progressive car manufacturing program did not indicate which car manufacturers would engage in exporting cars and which manufacturers would not, and that it also did not clarify whether any manufacturer which failed to comply with the conditions of the contract in the first year would have its license cancelled and whether the other applicants would be given an opportunity to enter the program.
In connection with those applicants who failed to meet requirements and therefore were excluded, but allowed instead a period of transition during which they could participate in manufacturing car components and still bring in completely knocked down (CKD) cars, the inclusive transition period should be determined, the President said.
President at the conference were Agriculture Secretary Arturo R. Tanco Jr., Commerce and Industry Secretary Troadio Quiazon, Jr., Acting Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata, Rep. Roque Ablan, Jr.;
Chairman Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments, Central Bank Governor Gregorio S. Licaros, Chairman Eliseo Villamor of the Rice and Corn Administration, Social Security Administrator Gilberto Teodoro, Commissioner Gregorio Araneta, III of the BTTI, NETRACOR General Manager Jovito Rivera, Directors Jose Viado of Forestry and Pacifico Agcaoili of the Civil Aeronautics Board; and
Alfredo Montelibano, president of the Chamber of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Jess Tanchangco, president of the Philippine Chamber of Industries, representing the, private sector.
The President had a brief rest after lunch and then attended to deskwork till early evening.
I attach Pres. Nixon’s letter.
Imelda has not bled nor felt pains. Dr. Gloria Aragon is happy about the fact that she will be able to keep her baby.
And I cannot cover my happiness from the world—notwithstanding all the problems we have.
We met on the promotion of exports specially to Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hongkong and West Germany—as well as tourism.
Then on the progressive car manufacturing program.
And RCA [Rice and Corn Administration].
[Benigno] Benny Toda [Jr.] came to see me. He needs help for Rubicon and PAL [Philippine Airlines].