821.6363 Barco/134: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Colombia (Piles)
42. Your 67, August 12, 6 p.m. The Department is gravely concerned over your report that the Colombian press quotes the Minister for Foreign Affairs as having made certain statements to the Colombian Senate which, as you point out, are contrary to the facts. The Department does not feel that this incident can be allowed to pass unnoticed. The Department desires you, therefore, to address a note to the Minister for Foreign Affairs referring specifically to the press reports mentioned in your telegram under acknowledgment and saying: “I feel that I should inform Your Excellency of my understanding of the facts in this case.” You should then clearly state the facts with regard to the request of the Minister for Foreign Affairs that Mr. Stabler visit Bogotá exactly as they occurred.
You should also say: “I fear an erroneous impression may have been left by the reference to my note to Your Excellency and to Your Excellency’s reply, without any reference being made to our subsequent conversation in which I explained to Your Excellency that my Government was of course aware of the fact that the Company concerned is a Colombian corporation, but that since practically all of the Company’s stock is held by American citizens the latter have a very real interest at stake, and the Government of the United States perceived no impropriety in those circumstances in inquiring through you at the instance of the stockholders whether the courtesy of a reply to a memorial which had lain unanswered for 22 months might not shortly be expected.” (See Department’s 5, January 24, 6 p.m., and modify the above in accordance with the actual conversation which you had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs following the Department’s instructions). You should also remind the Minister for Foreign Affairs that when you explained the American stock ownership he was satisfied that no impropriety was intended. (See your 6, January 24, 8 p.m.)