740.00118 European War 1939/1075: Telegram

The Ambassador in Colombia (Braden) to the Secretary of State

232. The program outlined in Department’s telegram no. 198, February 19, 2 p.m., entirely coincides with President Santos’ desires. The only conditions in addition to an intimation mentioned in Department’s telegram under reference which should be clearly understood by the army officers appointed are that so far as the Colombian Government is concerned they will be regarded as members of our consular organization and the respective Consulates and this Embassy will be responsible before the Colombian Government for them and their activities. The President is not concerned as to whether or not our army officers are actually taken into the Foreign Service.

Since the President thoroughly understands this entire situation and the objectives we seek and in order that the Department may not be delayed in its arrangements, I consider it preferable not to inquire from him whether this program is acceptable but instead simply to inform him at the earliest opportunity of the action being taken.

[Page 144]

It is requested that until the Department instructs the Embassy to ask for permission to open Consulate at Cúcuta, and until such permission has been granted, no publicity there to be given and no Foreign Service Officer or “Assistant to the Consul” for that post arrive in Colombia.

Subject to the foregoing there is no reason why the Assistants to the Consuls at Medellín and Barranquilla should not proceed to these posts immediately, telegraphic advice being given this Embassy so that I may formally notify Foreign Office.

Braden