CONGRESS INCLINED TO GRANT ASYLUM TO MARCOS - IF HE LEAVES PEACEFULLY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000504150012-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 25, 2012
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: February 25, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP90-00965R000504150012-7
ARTICLE APPS>RED
ON PAGE
WASHINGTON TIiES
25 February 1986
Congress inclined to grant asylum
to Marcos - if he leaves peacefully
J By Rita McWilliams
THE Np1S$I$OTON TIME!
Widespread sentiment emerged
yesterday on Capitol Hill to give Phil-
ippine President Ferdinand Marcos
refuge in the United States if his
loyalists allow a peaceful transition
to a provisional government.
Congress, which last week asked
the administration to declare the
Feb. 7 election fraudulent and took
steps to cut off aid to the Marcos
regime, relieved some of the pres-
sure yesterday after the White
House formally asked Mr. Marcos to
step down.
Throughout the day, Secretary of
State George Shultz and presidential
envoy Philip Habib briefed inter-
ested members of Congress on ef-
forts to end the crisis of this staunch
American ally in the Pacific.
Mr. Shultz and Mr. Habib, who re-
turned last weekend from Manila,
talked to 18 senators and nine House
members at a closed-door briefing
in the Capitol. The meeting lasted
more than an hour.
Legislators refused to discuss
w at the two officials told t em, but
Sen. Patrick ea Vermont
Democrat, praise the Reagan ad-
ministration for taking "a far more
realistic attitude" in recent days and
not trying "to loss over the corrup-
tion" of the election in which Mr.
Marcos' c aim victory,
A House bill by Rep. Ste-
phen L. Solarz, New York Democrat,
orders a cutoff of military aid to the
Marcos regime and requires future
economic aid to be funneled through
charities. Yesterday the measure
was put on hold by the Democratic
leadership less than a week after i'
unanimously cleared the House for
eign affairs subcommittee that Mr
Solarz heads.
"It seems moot at this point;' said
an aide to the House Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Robert
Dole said sanctuary for Mr. Marcos
in the United States would "depend
on how it all unravels. If it's painful,
it'll make it difficult. If it's violent,
I'd be less inclined" to offer a safe
haven for Mr. Marcos in the United
States.
Senate Minority Leader Robert
Byrd said "all signs" point to opposi-
"Marcos has to leave
and the sooner the
better. I would not be
at all surprised to see
Marcos out within a
week," Mr. Leahy
said.
Lion candidate Corazon Aquino be-
ing named leader of the Philippine
people.
"I would hope Mrs. Aquino could
have the opportunity to lead.' Mr
Byrd said. "I hope the truly popular
leader would help to bring order out
of chaos and a return to democracy"
Mr. Byrd also said he might op-
pose sanctuary for the Marcoses in
the United States if the Marcos re
gime causes bloodshed.
Senate Foreign Relations Com-
mittee Chairman Richard Lugar, the
Indiana Republican who led a team
of congressional observers to the
Philippines earlier this month, cau-
tioned that Mr. Marcos has" military
forces at his disposal that could
cause bloodshed."
Mr. Lugar was among those sug-
gesting that the United States offer
asylum to Mr. Marcos.
"I don't believe his government is
viable, but clearly there are military
forces at his disposal that could
cause bloodshed." Mr. Lugar said.
Said Mr. Leah : "Marcos has to
leave and the sooner the better
.would not Be at a surprised to see
Marcos out within a week." r. Leahy also pre c ed that Mr.
.Marcos wou et refuge in the
United tates i he wants it it
added that his reception here would
de end on w ether he leaves wit -
out fighting. It would be very, %-Pry
die icult for him here ifheeleaves in
major oo_s_e_ , r. ea , sa.
Sen. John Melcher, Montana
Democrat, said the crisis in the Phil-
ippines "is a problem for us, but its
not for us to try to dictate a solution -
Mr Melcher said he had been
briefed by Blas Ople, Mr. Marcos'
longtime labor minister and
steadfast loyalist, and Defense Min-
ister,Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. Gen.
Fidel Ramos, who have joined the
Aquino forces against Mr. Marcos.
Mr. Ramos' nephew, Ranjit
Schahani. worked in Mr. Melcher's
,)tike during the summer of 1'S4
Mr Melcher said he considered him-
,~:It a friend of %Ir Ramos.
Mr Melcher said Mr. Uple told
him t-) people were killed in the
takeo%er of the state television eta
twn Sunday night in an effort to in.
terrupt a broadcast by Mr. Marcos
But the senator said he was unsure
hich side had sustained the losses.
Although Mr Leahy predicted Mr.
Marcos would leave the Philippines
r., he end of the week, Mr. Melcher
said Mr ()ple told him Mr. Marcos
.% anted to remain in the Philippines.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/25: CIA-RDP90-00965R000504150012-7