711F.1914/5–1547
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Central America and Panama Affairs (Wise)32
It is suggested that the Department’s position with respect Panama’s latest proposal on defense sites agreement should be as follows:
Alfaro’s most recent suggestion (Embstel 265, May 1533) handed to Ambassador Hines informally on May 15 and carried to Washington personally by Wise comprises:
- (a)
- draft basic agreement of nine articles. This is Alfaro proposal April 10 (Embs desp 3741 same date34) further modified apparently as result Embassy’s representations. However, falls short of including all Embassy’s suggestions May 5 and in certain aspects is basically difficult in principle and less definite than language military has wanted.
- (b)
- draft proposals for seven joint recommendations to be signed by Panamanian Minister of Government and Justice and the Commanding General. These represent entirely new procedure for making “joint authority” more realistic. Idea is they be signed simultaneously with bases agreement but not as integral part thereof, although reference is made in them to main agreement. They represent modifications of Embassy’s May 5 proposed simultaneous exchanges of notes planned to be accessory to defense agreement. Alfaro proposal of joint recommendation omits three of Embassy’s proposed notes and definitely shortens and simplifies several others beyond limit military authorities have shown willingness to go.
- (c)
- draft proposed form for exchanges of notes between Foreign Minister and Ambassador to correspond to and make effective each joint recommendation. There is no positive indication that notes are to be signed simultaneously with joint recommendations and bases agreement.
Embassy should insist on formal official reply to its note of May 5. If found substantially same as proposition presented informally now [Page 904] under consideration Department will accept plan (1) provided documents described in (c) above are signed simultaneously with (a) and (b); (2) provided it is understood by all parties concerned that further joint recommendation and corresponding notes may be required from time to time pursuant to developments and needs; (3) provided plan is acceptable to military and phraseology of documents and contents of joint recommendations can be worked out to assure essential rights needed by military; and (4) provided the time limits stipulated in Annex “A” are no less than ten-year periods.