Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

711.1227/12–1247: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Mexico ³⁷

confidential

Washington, December 16, 1947—7 p.m.

1276. Dept believes firm but friendly gesture should be made at this time to Mex Govt to indicate that US not being fooled by their tactics re air transport matters. Emb requested make oral approach to appropriate Mex authority along following lines:

(1) That Palavicini indicated at Geneva³⁸ that he believed his report might eliminate obstacles in way of signing agreement and that it is hoped that his return about Jan 1 will herald new Mex position; that US interested in effects of his report, and would appreciate being advised.

(2) That US believes it unfortunate that Guest applications have been filed with CAB at this time as this procedure complicates picture. In addition, CMA application has been filed for right for cargo service between any and all points on CMA network and Brownsville and/or Laredo. It is impossible to continue approach to matter on long-range basis and on basis discussion routes mentioned by Mex Govt if such piecemeal procedure pursued. Dept believes it will be extremely difficult for aeronautical authorities to establish long-range workable air transport pattern between Mex and US on such a basis and believes these applications obscure ultimate goals to be obtained in the interest of the public. Therefore believe matter should be further approached on basis of intergovernmental agreement rather than such piecemeal approach, result of which latter approach will undoubtedly not be satisfactory to the public or to the airlines concerned. Since Guest and CMA applications filed through diplomatic channels, believed desirable that Mex should appreciate US thoughts on this matter.

Request report of effect this conversation.

Lovett

37. A memorandum of December 12, 1947, by the Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Transport and Communications (Merchant) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Armour) with reference to this telegram (No. 1276 transmitted on December 16), stated as follows:

    “The attached telegram is proposed in light of the following three developments:

    • “1. Opposition on the part of Mexico to the United States position at the Multilateral Air Transport Conference in Geneva.
    • “2. Apparent stalemate in bilateral air transport negotiations with Mexico.
    • “3. The collaboration in Washington by Colonel Gonzalez Gomez, Director of Civil Aviation of Mexico, with representatives of Aerovias Guest in attempting to push action on two applications filed by Aerovias Guest for routes to be granted outside of any bilateral agreement.

    Livingston T. Merchant”

38. Manuel Palavicini, head of Mexican Delegation at the meeting of the Commission of the International Civil Aviation Organization on Multilateral Agreement on Commercial Rights in International Civil Air Transport, Geneva, November 4–27, 1947. For summary reports on this meeting, see Department of State, Participation of the United States Government in International Conferences, July 1, 1947–June 30, 1948, p. 109; and ICAO Monthly Bulletin, January 1948, pp. 4–7 (Montreal, Inland Press Ltd., 1948).