760D.61/804: Telegram

The Chargé in Panama (Muccio) to the Secretary of State

161. Department’s telegraphic instruction No. 120, December 12, noon. Panamanian Minister for Foreign Affairs proposes that he telegraph the following message to Helsinki:

“His Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Relations of Finland, Helsinki:

The Republics of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, United States of America, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela have been consulted by this Chancery at the initiative of the Republic of Ecuador with a view to the formulation of a collective American protest against the aggression of which the Republic of Finland has been the object on the part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. All of those nations have responded favorably to that suggestion and consequently I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that 20 American republics including those of Ecuador and Panama have agreed to apply the principles laid down in resolution No. 10 of the recent consultative meeting of Panama over which I had the honor to preside, to condemn unanimously and with the greatest energy the resort to force which a great power has just made use of for the solution of its differences with a small nation, jealous of its independence and security.

On this occasion please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration, Narciso Garay, Secretary of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Panama.”

Dr. Garay feels this draft should be acceptable to all the countries names [named]. But in an abundance of precaution proposes to submit the text hereof to all diplomatic representatives accredited here for their approval and possible reference to their governments. Dr. Garay would appreciate any comments or suggestions the Department might care to make. Kindly expedite reply.

Muccio