CONGRESS RELIEVED MARCOS FINALLY GAVE UP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000706190004-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: February 26, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified and Approved For Release 2011/12/13: CIA-RDP90-00965R000706190004-8
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ON PAGE
WASHINGTON TIMES
26 February 1936
Congress relieved Marcos
finally gave up
Missouri Democrat Rep. Richard
J By Rita McWilliams Gephardt, chairman of the House
and Christopher Simpson Democratic Caucus, said there
THE WASHINGTON TIMES "were only winners in the Philip-
Once fearful a civil war was im-
minent in the Philippines, Congress
breathed a sigh of relief yesterday
and lauded President Ferdinand
Marcos' decision to hand over the
reins of power to Corazon Aquino.
During a day of rapidly unfolding
events half way around the world
that began with two presidents in the
Philippines, congressional leaders
last night said Mr. Marcos' decision
was not only prudent but would
likely avert widespread strife.
Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick
J. Leahy vice chairman of the select
Committee on Intelligence, said he
was "ve pleased" tat Mr. Marcos
e t t e Phili
airlift.
=d he stayed and toughed it out
for a while, there would have been a
real bloodbath," Mr. Leahy said,
echoing the common response from
both conservatives and liberals in
Congress. "We came close to
botching it by sticking with Marcos
for so long, but the way it ended, I
think we can work with Mrs.
Aquino"
The Philippines, home of two of
the largest U.S. military bases out-
side the United States, has been a
close ally of the United States for
decades. But in recent months, the
country and Mr. Marcos have come
under intense scrutiny that eased
only after he was spirited from his
home, presumably to exile in Guam.
Congressional pressures began
mounting last fall when a Senate
delegation reported that Mr. Mar-
cos' control over the government
was slipping and major reforms
were a must. Those calls now have
been replaced by pleas to boost eco-
nomic aid to the Philippines, along
with efforts to help Mrs. Aquino
complete the transition to a new gov-
ernment.
The shifting sentiments grew last
night on Captiol Hill as plaudits
flowed freely. But just as quickly, the
reactions were replaced by spec-
ulation on what lies in the future un-
der the reign of Mrs. Aquino.
pines. President Corazon Aquino
won recognition for her victory in
the national election. Ex-president
i Marcos won our respect for stepping
down"
Mr. Gephardt, like other law-
niakers, said numerous hurdles still
must be overcome before the transi-
tion to a new government is com-
plete.
"Although democratic rule has re-
turned to the Philippines, we all
realize that many economic and so-
cial problems remain;' he said.
"Finding solutions will not be easy,
but the United States will be
standing by the Philippines in the
difficult days ahead."
Senate Majority Leader Robert
Dole said with the end of
start looking
regime at hand, "We'll
over what the other candidate had to I
say in the campaign."
Critics of the Reagan administra-
tion, who in recent days spotlighted
the problems to attack the Reagan
administration's foreign policies,
softened their responses yesterday.
Massachusetts Democrat Sen.
Edward Kennedy said he thought
the administration "held on too long
to the Marcos regime," but peppered
his remarks by congratulating Mr.
Reagan for "reversing a failing
policy. He discarded his own precon-
ceptions and he acted on the basis of
reality, not right-wing assumptions"
"The result is this day of pride ...
and it is a day whose peaceful dawn
could not have come without the
leadership of President Ronald Rea-
gan;' Mr. Kennedy said.
Looking ahead, lawmakers fo-
cused first on increased economic
aid to the Philippines and what may
happen to the two critical U.S. bases
there. Initial congressional reaction
to any increase in economic assis-
tance "would be a small price to pay"
for continued friendship with the
Philippines, a Democratic House
staffer said.
New York Democratic Rep. Ste-
phen Solarz, chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs subcommittee on
the Pacific, in past months has re-
peatedly denounced the Marcos re-
gime and last week successfully
moved to cut off all U.S. military aid
to the Philippines. But after the Mar-
cos regime ended, Mr. Solarz fol-
lowed suit with most lawmakers in
calling for renewed efforts to mend
open wounds.
Mr. Solarz yesterday was com-
mending the decision by Mr. Marcos
to leave, along with key moves by the
Reagan administration to arrange a
peaceful transition. Mr. Solarz said
he will fly to Manila next week to
meet with Mrs. Aquino and would
back a "substantial" increased aid to
Philippines.
New York Democrat Rep. Samuel
Stratton, chairman of another For-
eign Affairs subcommittee, pre-
dicted the U.S. bases there were
"very safe" because of the thousands
of jobs they bring to the Philippines,
which has a sagging economy.
"It's very important for us now to
rapidly establish the contacts neces-
sary to determine what kind of aid
the new government needs to carry
on most effectively in a new era for
the Philippines;' said Washington
Republican Sen. Daniel Evans, a
member of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee.
"I believe this outcome is a defi-
nite plus for the democratic pro-
cess;' said Sen. Lawton Chiles, Flor-
ida Democrat. "The Filipino people
demonstrated their love for democ-
racy. When they took to the streets,
laying down in front of tanks and
facing down the Marcos troops they
showed, in the most graphic way,
their belief in democratic elections."
Declassified and Approved For Release 2011/12/13: CIA-RDP90-00965R000706190004-8