840.50/2321: Telegram

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

1331. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. Embassy’s airgram 530, July 1, 6 p.m.,2 and Department’s circular instructions of July 7 and July 13 regarding Draft Agreement for United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.3

I called on Minister for Foreign Affairs4 today at his request. Turbay said that following a discussion of the draft agreement by the Council of Ministers the President5 had instructed Turbay to inform the United States Government through this Embassy as follows:

First of all the Colombian Government expresses its appreciation for our “deference” in inviting Colombia to be associated with the United Nations in this most important post-war project. The Colombian Government, however, is of the opinion that the clause “being United Nations or being associated with the United Nations in this war” would imply a change in the juridical and political status of Colombia’s vis-à-vis the war, and as Colombia does not wish to change its status without consulting the other nations of this continent which are in a status similar to Colombia (i.e. have broken relations with the Axis but have not declared war) the Colombian Government yesterday sent telegrams to the Governments of Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela suggesting that if they have no objection instructions be sent to their respective Ambassadors in Washington to consult one another and the Department of State with a view to arriving at an agreement in connection with the draft project for United Nations relief. The view of the Colombian Government is that some means should be worked out unanimously among Colombia and the six other nations which are at present in the same position as Colombia, so that the distinction which now exists between them and [Page 41] the fourteen nations of America (including Canada) which have declared war against the Axis may be minimized or eradicated. Turbay said that it may be that some nations may desire to take some concrete step, such as adherence to the United Nations Declaration6 or some other definitive action (while he did not so state, I inferred that he had in mind declaration of war against the Axis).

Dr. Turbay said that the motive behind the Colombian action is to bring about a greater unification of the American nations, and if possible to influence Argentina to join the others of the continent. He said that if all the American nations with the exception of Argentina definitely agree to be “associates” in connection with the war, it will be a very difficult matter for Argentina to remain outside of the fold.

During the commencement of Dr. Turbay’s explanation of the Colombian Government’s position I received the impression that he was leaning over backwards in a legalistic interpretation of the draft agreement. As he proceeded with his argument, however, it became evident that President López and he are again taking the initiative to bring about a greater and more effective collaboration between the American nations and specifically to eradicate the differences between the nations which may appear to exist as a result of variance in the action which the three groups have taken vis-à-vis the Axis pie [Powers] (the three groups are: 1, the fourteen nations which have declared war; 2, the seven nations which have broken off relations but have not declared war; and 3, Argentina).

I should appreciate the Department’s comments on the foregoing so that I may seek an audience with President López as well as another interview with Dr. Turbay and discuss the matter in greater detail.

Lane
  1. Not printed.
  2. Circular instruction of July 7 not printed; it transmitted a Spanish translation of the draft agreement, as of possible assistance in facilitating consideration of the agreement. For circular instruction of July 13, see vol. i, p. 932.
  3. Gabriel Turbay.
  4. Alfonso López Santos.
  5. Declaration of January 1, 1942, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, p. 25.