Editorial Note
On September 14, 1950, the United States and Panama signed a Highway Convention at Panama City. Under its terms the United States undertook to maintain the Boyd-Roosevelt (Trans-Isthmian) Highway, while Panama granted to the U.S. armed forces the free and unimpeded use without cost of all public roads within Panamanian jurisdiction. Ratifications were exchanged April 11, 1955, and the Convention entered in force that day. For text, see 6 UST 480.
The two countries on September 14, 1950, also exchanged notes constituting a modus vivendi agreement on highways. By this agreement, which took force immediately, the signatories terminated “Point 5” of the General Relations Agreement of 1942 and provided for the maintenance of the Boyd–Roosevelt Highway for 3 years or until the Highway Convention should enter in force. Text is printed in 3 UST (pt. 2) 2970.
Documents concerning negotiation of these two instruments are in files 611.1913, 819.2612, and 819.2614 for 1950.