711F.1914/1–2947: Telegram
The Ambassador in Panama (Hines) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
46. On Sunday I discussed with Wise Department’s instructions relative his assistance on defense sites negotiations and went over with him current situation in Panama. Monday morning General Crittenberger was acquainted with Department’s current plan to press for agreement.
At noon Monday I accompanied Wise on informal courtesy visit to Foreign Minister who said President Jimenez wished to see Wise informally at earliest convenience and that arrangements should be made directly with Presidencia. No mention was made of defense sites to Foreign Minister. During afternoon Vallarino, Minister of Public Works and Cabinet member closest to President, called informally at Embassy. He referred to Foreign Minister as main obstacle to progress on negotiations and expressed President’s interest in seeing Wise first thing Tuesday morning. Vallarino said President was anxious to reach agreement and would listen to proposals.
[Page 887]Tuesday Wise conferred with President for 1-½ hours. President at outset offered assurances his cooperation on defense negotiations. He brought up matter proposed claims convention and of own accord said he knew Department was justifiably concerned over Panama’s delay in replying. He admitted difficulties with Foreign Minister on both defense and claims, gave indication he would take stronger hand with Cabinet, and stated now was psychological time to press forward for defense agreement. He agreed to appoint representative to serve on joint committee to re-draft at once and continuously provisions proposed new defense agreement in manner acceptable to Embassy, Army and Panama. It is believed this is important wedge.
President said that while he was willing now to negotiate new agreement, some plan for symbolic return of bases would be necessary before it could become effective. He mentioned Panama’s desire for joint communiqué which would state that on some date to be decided upon 1942 accord would have served its purpose, that US would return remaining bases and that pending consideration by two govts of need for new agreement, bases could be re-occupied for fixed period under an arrangement providing (joint control) arrangement. President said return of bases would be merely “symbolic”. President was immediately informed that this procedure previously proposed by Foreign Office was entirely unacceptable to this Govt, that we could not withdraw from bases for one moment thus weakening defense of canal, nor could we remain on them without some written agreement in force. It was also stated that to assume before the public that bases were being returned when actually they were not was likewise considered unwise.
Department’s suggestion was presented that new agreement be negotiated and followed by public announcement along with simultaneous release of list of Panama’s requests which Department is willing to undertake and to recommend to Congress in those cases requiring Congressional action. President appeared very interested but insisted that some interim arrangement would be necessary. He was told that occupation under “joint control” was not acceptable and that while this govt definitely desired to avoid an interim arrangement particularly one with fixed time limit, consideration might be given to some trusteeship plan. It was emphasized that trusteeship would necessarily have to be well-defined and that it should be understood that it merely meant assignment of a Panamanian official as trustee to represent interests of Panama as regards bases but in no way could imply that Panama would participate in any phase of military control or jurisdiction which must be sole responsibility of Commanding General.
President said he would consider matter further and asked Wise to [Page 888] call again on Wednesday at 1 o’clock for informal luncheon during which he wished to continue discussion.