LAUREL CLAIMS HE HAS RECEIVED OVERTURE FROM MARCOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R000601010008-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 7, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: December 9, 1983
• Content Type: CABLE

~. il o Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/07: CIA-RDP85M00364R000601010008-9
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PAGE 001
TOR: 0906442 DEC 83
State Dept. review completed
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3003
INFO RUHQHOA/CINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RUHJWXA/COMUSNAVPHIL SUBIC BAY RP
RUMUAAA/13THAF CLARK AB RP
BT
CONF I DENTI A LMANILA3203B
PP RUEAIIB
2NY CCCCC ZOC STATE ZZH
STU1373
PP RUEHC
DE RUEHML tJ2038 3430636
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 0906362 DEC 83
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PGOV, RP
SUBJECT: LAUREL CLAIMS HE HAS RECEIVED OVERTURE FROM MARCOS
2. SUMMARY: OPPOSITION LEADER SALVADOR LAUREL CLAIMS HE
RECEIVED DEC. 7 AN OVERTURE FROM MALACANANG TO "TALK."
HE IS TREATING IT CAUTIOUSLY AND HAS NOT VET DECIDED HOW
TO ACT. LAUREL WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1984 NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS, BUT FEELS THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST
PREPARE A NEW VOTER REGISTRATION LIST FREE OF THE
FICTITIOUS NAMES HE BELIEVES ARE ON THE PRESENT LIST.
MOTIVATION FOR MARCOS' APPARENT FEELER IS UNCLEAR. IT
MAY BE MEANT AS AN ATTEMPT AT DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION,
OR IT MAY BE AIMED AT FURTHER DIVIDING HIS OPPONENTS IN
PREPARATION FOR THE ELECTIONS. END SUMMARY.
3. UNITED NATIONALIST DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION (UNIDO)
PRESIDENT SALVADOR LAUREL TOLD EMBASSY OFFICER DEC. 8 THAT
AN EMISSARY FROM PRESIDENT MARCOS CONTACTED HIM DEC. 7
WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT LAUREL AND MALACANANG "TALK."
ACCORDING TO LAUREL, HIS VISITOR, WHO HAD JUST COME .FROM
~BAGUIO, WHERE MARCOS IS VACATIONING, NOTED THE LONG
HISTORY OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE LAUREL AND MARCOS
FAMILIES. HE ALSO TOLD LAUREL THAT MALACANANG AND FRIENDS
OF MALACANANG, LIKE EDUARDO M. ("DANDING") COJUANGCO,
HAD CONDUCTED NO LESS THAN FIVE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS
IN THE METRO MANILA AREA. THESE SURVEYS REPORTEDLY ALL
SHOWED LAUREL TO BE THE MOST POPULAR OPPOSITION LEADER.
BY CONTRAST, THE VISITOR TOLD HIM, MRS. MARCOS FARED
POORLY IN THE SURVEYS.
4. LAUREL, WHD DID NOT IDENTIFY THE VISITOR BUT SAID
HE WAS CERTAIN OF HIS CREDENTIALS, CLAIMED HE WAS IN A
pUANDRY ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT. HE HAS ADVOCATED THE
OPENING OF A DIALOGUE WITH MARCOS, BUT REALIZES TO DO
SO ON HIS OWN WOULD UNDERMINE HIS CREDIBILITY AS AN
OPPOSITION LEADER. LAURcl THUS PREFERS TO HAVE A
"NEUTRAL PARTY" PRESENTATION IN A. MEETING THAT MIGHT BE
ARRANGED WITH MARCOS. HE SUGGESTED EITHER CARDINAL SIN
OR AMBASSADOR ARMACOST, BUT DROPPED THE LATTER FROM HIS
SHDRT LIST WHEN EMBASSY OFFICER SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
NIO/EA
INCOMING
_E~^ ~ Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/07: CIA-RDP85M00364R000601010008-9