711.1927/5a
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Panama (Davis)30
Sir:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A similar instruction has been sent to the American diplomatic missions in Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic in view of the fact that these countries are also parties to the Habana Convention on Commercial Aviation. The Department has expressed the hope that any requirements that may be imposed by [Page 636] the authorities of those countries on the entry and clearance of private aircraft, under the general authorization contained in the Habana Convention on Commercial Aviation, will be as simple as possible in order that international flights by such aircraft between the United States and those countries may not be impeded any more than is necessary. For your information and guidance it may be stated that while the Department would also like to see this principle applied, so far as practicable, to special or touring flights by private aircraft between the United States and the Republic of Panama, it should, nevertheless, be understood that the Department is not advocating any relaxation of the restrictive regulations in force in the territory of the Republic of Panama governing the operations of civil aircraft in that territory put into force on the recommendation of the Joint Aviation Board having control of private aviation in the Republic of Panama. The Department is merely seeking a recognition of the right of American registered aircraft to make flights in the Republic of Panama on a reciprocal basis, under the conditions stipulated in the Habana Convention on Commercial Aviation.
In this connection the Legation’s attention is invited to Article 31 of Decree No. 147 of August 23, 1932,32 concerning aviation in the Republic of Panama, issued by the President of Panama, a copy and translation of which were enclosed with the Legation’s despatch No. 1234 of September 14, 1932.32 Article 31 appears to have reference to flights such as those made under the authority of the Habana Convention on Commercial Aviation, and provides that when civil aircraft of the Republic of Panama obtain permission to fly over a foreign country without registration, et cetera, the registered civil aircraft of that country may operate over territory of the Republic of Panama without registration, et cetera, subject to compliance with certain requirements of the Republic of Panama.
Very truly yours,