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April 07, 1953

Note: The Agreement entered into force, July 22, 1953. It was terminated by exchange of notes dated June 30, 1954.

Reference: This Agreement is also published in 325 UNTS, p. 332.

I

THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AMERICAN EMBASSY

No. 1078

Manila, April 7, 1953

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to note No. 013537, dated May 21, 1948 in which the Philippine Government consented to the occupation of the Cavite Area by the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion, United States Army, until June 30, 1954 on the understanding that the area so occupied would cease to be considered as a temporary installation under Article XXI of the Military Bases Agreement after March 26, 1952.

As you know, the mapping program of the 29th Engineers was undertaken under Article IX of the Military Bases Agreement for the mutual benefit of the Philippines and the United States and in the interest of their common defense efforts. I believe Your Excellency will agree that it is desirable to see this in-completed mission carried to a successful conclusion.

As to Cavite area occupied by the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion can no longer be considered a temporary installation under the Military Bases Agreement of 1947, I have the honor to request, in accordance with Article I, paragraph 3 of that Agreement, that the area presently occupied by the 29th Engineers, known as "Camp Cavite", the area of which is set forth in the accompanying map, be declared an Annex "A" base until such time as the mission of the 29th Engineers will have been completed, which will not exceed a period of three years.

If this request meets with the approval of the Philippine Government, this note and Your Excellency's note in accordance thereof will constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.

R. A. SPRUANCE

Enclosure:

Cavite Site Plan.

His Excellency JOAQUIN M. ELIZALDE
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Republic of the Philippines

II

THE PHILIPPINE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Manila, April 22, 1953

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to your Note No. 1078 of April 7, 1953 requesting that, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 3 of tjie Military Bases Agreement of 1947, the area presently occupied by the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion of the United States Army and known as "Camp Cavite", which is set forth in the map accompanying Your Excellency's note under reference, be declared an Annex "A" base until such time as the mission of the 29th Engineers shall have been completed, which period sball not, however, exceed three years.

Realizing the importance and value of the mapping program now being undertaken by the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion under Article IX of the Military Bases Agreement, to the common defense efforts of our two countries, my Government is also desirous of seeing this work finished.

It now appearing that the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion will still require a period of approximately three years within which to complete its mapping program, I am happy to inform Your Excellency that my Government is willing to grant to the United States Government for, the use of the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion, Camp Cavite, the area of which is indicated in the map attached to Your Excellency's Note under reference as an additional base under Annex "A" of the Military Bases Agreement until such time as the mapping work being undertaken by the said Battalion shall have been completed, but not to exceed a period of three years from the date of this note, at the end of which period the United States Government shall relinquish the said area, together with all the improvements thereon, to the Government free from any claim for compensation for said improvements. It is understood further that the right to the use of the area herein granted to the 29th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion is subject to a right of way at all times through the area of the Armed Forces of my Government to the Philippine Navy Operating Base located at the lower tip of the Cavite peninsula.

If this conditional grant meets with the approval of the United States Government, Your Excellency's acknowledgment of this note and acceptance of the terms of the grant as set forth herein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

J. M. ELIZALDE
Secretary

His Excellency RAYMOND A. SPRUANCE
American Ambassador
Manila

III

THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINE ACTING SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AMERICAN EMBASSY

No. 0056

Manila, July 7, 1953

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to Your Excellency's note of April 22, 1953, which stated;

{See note II]

My Government acknowledges with appreciation the willingness of your Government- to grant Camp Cavite Annex "A" status under the Military Bases Agree-meit of 1947 for a period not to exceed three years or until the completion of the mission of the 29th Engineer Topographic Battalion, whichever is earlier. In return for this gesture of cooperation on the part of the Philippine Government, the United States accepts the proposals set forth in the note under reference, subject to the understanding that; (1) when the mapping program is completed,the United States Government shall relinquish the use of the said area and shall transfer the installations as provided in the Supplement dated April 20, 1950 to the Agreement between the United States and the Philippines for the sale of certain surplus war property dated September 11, 1946, and (2) the three year period shall commence from the date of your reply to this note indicating Your Government's acceptance of the understanding contained herein. My note No. 1078 of April 7, 1953, together with this exchange of notes and Your Excellency's acknowledgment of this note and acceptance of the understanding contained herein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

R. A. SPRUANCE

The Honorable FELINO NERI
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Republic of the Philippines

IV

THE PHILIPPINE ACTING SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Manila, July 22, 1953

Excellency;

I have the honor to refer to my note dated April 22, 1953 and to Your .Excellency's npte of July 7, 1953, which reads in part as follows;

[See note III]

I desire to inform Your Excellency that the understanding set forth in the aforementioned note of acknowledgment is acceptable to my Government and Your Excellency's notes No. 1078 of April 7, 1953 and No. 56 of July 7, 1953, and the Department's note of April 22, 1953, and this reply constitute an Agreement between our two Governments on the use of the area known as "Camp Cavite."

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

F. NERI
Acting Secretary

His Excellency RAYMOND A. SPRUANCE
American Ambassador
Manila