717.2114/68
The Colombian Legation to the Department of State 63
The Colombia-Nicaraguan Matter and the Roncador, Quita Sueño and serranilla keys
Possible formulas:
Number 1: The Colombian and Nicaraguan plenipotentiaries to sign at Washington a treaty consecrating the status quo as follows: Mangle Islands and the Mosquito to Nicaragua; San Andrés and Providencia to Colombia.
At the same time the United States and Colombia to sign an arbitration convention to settle in this way the dominion over the Roncador, Quita Sueño, and Serranilla Keys. The two parties may incorporate in this convention such provisions as they deem expedient.
Number 2: Colombia and Nicaragua to sign at Managua a treaty consecrating the formula: Mangles, Mosquito to Nicaragua; San Andrés and Providencia to Colombia.
At the same time the Governments of the United States and Colombia to exchange notes at Washington stating that the question of dominion over the Roncador, Quita Sueño and Serranilla Keys will be settled by means of an arbitration convention between the two Governments. In these notes the parties can make such statements as they deem opportune which are to be incorporated afterwards in an arbitration convention.
Number 3: The Secretary of State of the United States and the Ministers of Colombia and Nicaragua, duly authorized by their respective Governments, to sign a declaration or act, in which they will record the fact that the three Governments have accepted the following formulas to settle pending questions:
Nicaragua recognizes the rights of Colombia to the exclusive and complete dominion over San Andrés and Providencia.
Colombia recognizes the rights of Nicaragua to the exclusive and complete dominion over the Mosquito and the Mangle Islands.
[Page 329]The Governments of Colombia and Nicaragua engage themselves immediately to give effect to this agreement by means of a public treaty.
The United States and Colombia agree that the dominion of the Roncador, Serranilla and Quita Sueño Keys shall be settled by an arbitration convention between Colombia and the United States to whose terms the two Parties will agree later.