110.154/3174: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Costa Rica (Des Portes)

668. (1). The Department is unable to give precise figures, as requested in your 729 of October 28, 7 p.m.,41 for the cooperative funds which may be available for the continuation of work on the Inter-American Highway in Costa Rica. It appears, however, that at least one and one-quarter million dollars of the original commitments are still unallocated, and that at least an equal amount now allocated to drainage structures could also be made available by re-negotiating existing Project Agreements. The Department, after consultation [Page 95] with the Public Roads Administration, believes that even after prudent purchases of that Army equipment which the Army will not turn over without charge, this should suffice to continue the work for some months.

(2). It is the Department’s position, moreover, that the Inter-American Highway project having been undertaken it must be carried to completion, and that should it prove demonstrably necessary to secure extra funds for this purpose they will be sought. Although the Department obviously is not in a position to guarantee that such funds will be forthcoming it believes that plans should be made on the supposition that funds will be available when required.

(3). In order that the Department may be in a position to seek at the appropriate moment any additional funds which may be required to complete the highway, you are requested to emphasize to Mr. James42 the urgency of forwarding at the earliest possible moment the revised estimates for the completion of the highway, particularly those for Costa Rica, which the Department has already requested him to make.

Stettinius
  1. Not printed.
  2. Edward James, Chief, Inter-American Regional Office, Public Roads Administration.