711F.1914/7–1947: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Panama
292. Gen Crittenberger and Asst Secy of War Petersen yesterday conferred with Asst Secy Armour on Panama defense sites issue. [Page 913] Crittenberger’s theses are: (1) Panama would now favorably consider a defense sites agreement proposal of the nature which the Army believes is required to meet its essential requirements; (2) our official silence since May has been effective in softening Panamanian resistance to our numerous proposals; (3) the immediate return of a number of sites now held under the 1942 agreement but no longer needed will bring added pressure to bear on Panama; (4) the Alfaro idea of “joint recommendation” and of treating essential Army requirements in notes ancillary to a basically short meaningless defense sites agreement is wholly unsatisfactory; and (5) while a commendable effort has been made to revise the Alfaro proposition our present draft42 is still not acceptable.
Accordingly, Crittenberger urges (1) that we continue temporarily our present strategy of silence and of returning unneeded bases; (2) that we stand firm with Panama in requesting by way of an agreement language and requirements essential to the military; (3) that we give serious consideration to a new draft agreement43 which the War Dept will take up with us; (4) that any new draft be presented to Panama formally on a “take it or leave it” basis; and (5) that if the proposal is unacceptable to Panama we withdraw from all bases now held under the 1942 Defense Sites Agreement.
Dept believes that circumstances may currently be more favorable than before to obtaining from Panama an agreement incorporating reasonable US requests but would not wish to press Panama into action on a new draft if it ignores most of the points insistently urged by Panama or many of its justifiable requests concerning form or phraseology of the agreement. Dept has no objection to temporary further silence and delay in negotiations nor to continued return of defense sites not to be requested under new accord. Furthermore, Dept favors submission our counter proposal simultaneously to both President and Foreign Minister on a “take it or leave it” basis. The advisability of complete withdrawal from Panama and its long run consequence in case of unacceptability our proposition to Panama would seem to be matter for further serious contemplation. While defense sites issue is most important matter pending there are other problems of far-reaching consequences in relations between two countries which must be negotiated soon. Consequently, atmosphere must be left conducive to the friendly settlement of other problems. The general sense of the Depts views as recorded above was expressed at the meeting. You will be advised of further developments.