Office of the Historian

921.53/5–1750

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Miller) to the Economic and Finance Adviser of the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs (White)1

restricted
[Washington,] May 17, 1950.

Mr. Shea of Grace called today with reference to his conversation with you.1 Apparently the purpose of his call was to ask us not to reveal to Zuleta or anyone in the Colombian Government that we think the Colombian offer is fair and that we have exhausted our ability to intervene diplomatically in this matter. I told him that in accordance with the agreement arrived at with him, our telegram to Beaulac had refrained from instructing him to ask the Colombians to keep their offer open. I also said that we would not make any statements [Page 833] to Zuleta indicating any feeling of satisfaction concerning the alternative suggested by the Colombian Government.2

  1. The memorandum was addressed also to Rollin S. Atwood, Acting Director of the Office of North and West Coast Affairs, and Charles P. Nolan, Assistant Chief of the Aviation Division. It is uncertain whether “you” at the end of the first sentence is singular or plural.↩
  2. The memorandum was addressed also to Rollin S. Atwood, Acting Director of the Office of North and West Coast Affairs, and Charles P. Nolan, Assistant Chief of the Aviation Division. It is uncertain whether “you” at the end of the first sentence is singular or plural.↩
  3. In telegram 198 to Bogota, June 28, 1950, the Department stated in part: “Amer lines now apparently willing discuss formula as best solution provided guarantees included immed conversion and tax treatment placing US lines equal competitive basis Flota. FYI Dept after protracted discussions reps Amer lines considers agreement along lines formula extremely important.” (921.53/6–2850) The formula mentioned is that contained in numbered paragraph 3 of telegram 262 to Bogotá, supra.↩