715.1715/1818: Telegram
The Minister in Panama (Corrigan) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 25—7 a.m.]
89. I am informed by Ocheltree that Zuniga Montufar wishes to postpone further action on the Honduras–Nicaragua boundary mediation until after the Lima Conference in December.
I am planning to visit San José this weekend in compliance with the Department’s telegram No. 43, August 15, 6 p.m.
Before talking with Zuniga Montufar, I should be glad to have the Department’s views as to how strong a position should be taken against such postponement.
A threatened opposition campaign in Costa Rica against the proposed Costa Rica–Panama boundary settlement may be reflected by an atmosphere unfavorable to successful negotiations concurrently in the Honduras–Nicaragua dispute. Accordingly the Department might consider it prudent to await disposal of the Panaman-Costa Rican boundary proposal by the respective national congresses, which it is understood will consider matter following convention in September, before taking any decided stand as to date of reconvening Mediation Commission.
I think, however, that it should be made clear that the United States is ready to proceed at any time that suits the convenience of the other countries participating in the mediation and that [delay?] or further postponement is not of our seeking and will be in deference to the convenience of our colleagues.