821.7962/5–1646: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Colombia ( Wiley )
364. President Lleras apparently under misapprehension in indicating belief US Govt participation in Soledad Airport (urtel 346, May 1658) should “revert” to Col Govt. This participation represents [Page 670] secret emergency arrangement under Airport Development Program between US Govt and Pan American Airways without involvement Col Govt. Case not parallel to that in Brazil where inter-governmental agreements were made covering construction and operation of airports which were always recognized as being and continuing to be property of Braz Govt. These agreements of course provided for postwar return of property to Braz administration.
If you believe it would be useful to do so, inform Pres Lleras in secrecy along above lines, adding, if he inquires, that US contribution to Soledad approximately $650,000.
Keep Dept advised.
- Not printed; in this telegram Ambassador Wiley indicated that this participation was an obstacle to the Colombian desire to municipalize this airport (821.7962/5-1646).↩