611.3131/98: Telegram
The Minister in Venezuela ( Nicholson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:20 p.m.]
31. Department’s 17, April 14, 6 p.m. The Foreign Minister fully realizes that no agreement is sought with respect to the text of the draft general provisions prior to the announcement of intention to negotiate and that the Venezuelan Government is being asked at the time only to agree to the broad principles underlying such provisions. However, for the reasons set forth in the second paragraph of my telegram No. 27, April 8, 6 p.m. the Minister is unwilling to commit his Government officially to an agreement upon these principles until further conversations have revealed whether modifications or changes in such principles might not be desirable.
In discussing the contents of the Department’s telegram under reference this morning the Minister repeated his previous declarations on the subject and stated that if the Department desired the Venezuelan Government’s agreement to the underlying principles prior to the initiation of formal negotiations, it would appear necessary for him first to consult other interested Government agencies and obtain their approval of such principles. He explained that he would have to proceed slowly and carefully in this matter until he could present to the Cabinet a formal request for authorization to proceed with negotiations on the basis of the principles in question. As soon as Cabinet approval was forthcoming he would feel free to signify his Government’s agreement to the principles underlying the draft provisions.
The Minister again mentioned what he termed the prolixity of the general provisions and the difficulty of obtaining a proper understanding thereof in the Spanish language. He added that in view of the delicacy of the exchange question in Venezuela as in the rest of the world the expected article on exchange control would probably require special study before agreement could be signified on the principles embodied therein.
No objection was perceived by the Minister to the procedure outlined by the Department with respect to the public announcement of articles to be considered as subjects for concessions.