810.154/7–347
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Guatemala (Kyle)
Sir: Reference is made to the Embassy’s note No. 120 of May 19, 1943, which is in reply to note No. 6756 693(73–0) of the same date from the Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs (Executive Agreement Series 345), concerning the cooperation between the United States and Guatemala in the improvement of the Inter-American Highway in Guatemala within the provisions of Public Law 375 of December 26, 1941 and subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds by the Congress of the United States.
There are now enclosed for the Embassy’s information in connection with this matter copies of letters of April 22 and July 3, 1947 from [Page 149] the Federal Works Agency,8 and of the Department’s letter of May 31, 1947 to the Federal Works Agency, concerning the following proviso with reference to an appropriation of $1,000,000 for the Inter-American Highway in the Independent Offices Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1946 (59 Stat. 117):
[Here follows text of proviso quoted in second paragraph of letter of April 22 from General Fleming, page 145.]
In view of the intention of the Federal Works Agency, as indicated in its letter of July 3, 1947, to allot the above-mentioned appropriation of $1,000,000 for expenditure in Guatemala, you are requested to undertake the negotiation of a supplementary agreement with the appropriate Guatemalan officials9 in accordance with the conditions imposed by the above quoted proviso of the 1946 Appropriation Act.
There are enclosed for your guidance suggested drafts of notes to be exchanged in effecting such a supplementary agreement.10 In the event any changes in those draft notes are desired by you or the Guatemalan Government, you are requested to consult the Department prior to making such changes.
It is further requested that if notes are exchanged, the Embassy transmit to the Department a certified copy of its note, indicating letterhead and signature, and the signed original of the Guatemalan note.
You are also requested to discuss this matter with the Resident Engineer in Guatemala of the Public Roads Administration, and to inform the Department as soon as possible of the results of the proposed negotiations.
Very truly yours,