821.24/5–1049
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Under Secretary of State (Webb)
| Participants: | Mr. James E. Webb, Under Secretary of State |
| Sr. Dr. Don Gonzalo Restrepo-Jaramillo, Ambassador of Colombia | |
| Sr. Dr. Jorge Mejia-Palacio, Counselor of Colombian Embassy | |
| General Francisco Tamayo, Military Attaché of Colombian Embassy | |
| Mr. Sheldon T. Mills, Chief, NWC | |
| Mr. George C. Spencer, IA |
Ambassador Restrepo-Jaramillo indicated that he sought my assistance in the solution of a very serious problem confronting the Colombian Government. He stated that Colombia is urgently in need of military equipment for use in adequately equipping its small army, pointing out that Colombia is one of the most democratic nations in the hemisphere and that the arms desired represent the minimum requirements of a small army, of about 20,000 men, devoted to the objective of maintaining order and preventing subversion by communist elements active in Colombia. The latter, he explained, are particularly active in the Colombian oil fields. He stated that if communism should obtain a foothold in Colombia the security of the Panama Canal would be endangered. It is in the interest of the United States, he explained, that Colombia procure arms essential to maintain order and avert communist threats to the democratic government now in power. The Ambassador stated quite frankly that Colombia lacks funds to procure arms.
I inquired whether Colombia had attempted to procure equipment from commercial sources in the United States. He replied that his Government had no funds for purchasing equipment from any source.
I indicated my desire to be of assistance to the Ambassador and explained that in expressing my views I wished to be perfectly frank, so that he would obtain a complete and accurate understanding of the position of this Government. I explained that the President is prepared to propose to the Congress a legislative program of military assistance for foreign nations, but that a solution of the Colombian problem would not be possible under this legislative program. I pointed out that it had been necessary to develop plans for foreign military assistance within the framework of a limited budget and that this limitation made it necessary that the most effective use be made of the limited assistance accorded foreign nations. I stated that the [Page 609] countries in Western Europe, which are immediately exposed to the influence of communism, would require most of the assistance under the proposed program.
The Ambassador pointed out that subversive activities by communists in Colombia would endanger the security of the Panama Canal, which is of strategic importance to the United States. He also expressed the opinion that other American republics probably will find it impossible to purchase arms which they require. He stated that, in his opinion, the request of Colombia is typical of requests which will be made by other American republics in need of essential armaments.
I explained that the determination of the scope of military assistance to be accorded foreign nations under the proposed legislative program had been a joint undertaking of several agencies in the Government. I pointed out that the Bureau of the Budget, the President, and Congressional leaders who had been consulted, were of the opinion that the Congress would be unwilling to approve a program broader in scope than the one to be proposed. I informed the Ambassador that I wished him to receive accurate information regarding the situation, and accordingly, that I must inform him that I saw no solution to his problem under the proposed legislative program. However, I informed him that if any constructive suggestions should occur to me after a further consideration of the problem, these would be made available to him. I expressed the regret at not being more helpful and stated that Mr. Paul Daniels had indicated the seriousness of the Colombian problem in much the same terms as the Ambassador.1 The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the interview and expressed the hope that a solution to his problem would be found.
- In a memorandum of May 6 (not printed), Mr. Daniels had warned Under Secretary Webb of the political violence which had again broken out in Colombia between members of the Liberal and Conservative parties in the face of impending congressional and municipal elections; he advised the Under Secretary that ARA refrained from recommending extension of credit to Colombia for arms purchases in view of the serious precedent that would thereby be established, but he did urge further study of the question of Colombia’s request for arms to preserve internal order (821.24/5–649).↩