810.00B/10–1548

The Acting Secretary of State to Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics

top secret

Sirs: At the Bogotá Conference in April of this year there was approved unanimously an anti-Communist resolution providing among other things that the American Republics will exchange information among themselves to assist in checking subversive Communist activities. This proposed exchange of information may properly be considered a commitment on the part of the United States as well as the other American Republics, and it is appropriate therefore that the United States should implement this resolution in cooperation with the Governments of the other American Republics.

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You are instructed therefore, to discuss this matter with the Foreign Minister and any other appropriate authorities of the country to which you are accredited and to arrange for the establishment of a suitable [Page 202] liaison and procedure by which information of the type mentioned in the Bogota Resolution may be exchanged. Liaison with some countries may be directly with the Foreign Office, while in other instances more suitable regular arrangements for the interchange may be established with another ministry or with the police. In all cases the liaison, particularly the designation of specific officials of both the Embassy and the other government, should be arranged personally by the Chief of Mission directly with the appropriate high official or officials of the other government.

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For the information of the mission, the Department recognizes that arrangements for exchange of information under the Bogota Anti-Communist Resolution may be modified as experience is gained. The nature, quantity and quality of the information which will be exchanged will vary with each country and may well develop only after a period of trial.

The recommendations and comments of the missions are requested on this matter, as well as a report specifically on (a) the arrangements; that have been negotiated with the Foreign Office, and (b) the arrangements effected within the mission and the name of the officer designated for liaison duty.

Very truly yours,

For the Acting Secretary of State:
W. Park Armstrong, Jr.

Special Assistant for Research and Intelligence