711F.1914/12–1746

Memorandum to the Secretary of State by the Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs (Braden)

secret

Subject: Pending Matters, U.S.-Panama; Action U.S. Prepared to Take

For your secret information—not to be communicated to Dr. Alfaro.

We are prepared, in agreement with the War Department, to take important action with respect to other matters of interest to Panama, viz:

(1)
to negotiate the realignment of the Colón Corridor;
(2)
to authorize the Public Roads Administration to rent equipment and lend technical personnel to Panama for the paving of the runways at the new international airport;
(3)
to negotiate an agreement to cover the transfer of international air traffic from Albrook Field, in the Canal Zone, to Panama’s new airport.
(4)
to assist Panama in drawing up a civil aviation code;
(5)
to abolish the 25% ocean and railway freight differential charged Panama by the Panama Railroad Company;
(6)
to intensify our investigations of alleged racial labor discrimination in the Canal Zone;
(7)
to return Paitilla Point to Panama;
(8)
to settle the Malambo Fire Claim;
(9)
to construct at cost for Panama a dock at the Coiba penal colony; and
(10)
to consider a revision of the so-called Monetary Agreements.

Spruille Braden