Editorial Note
In telegram 1031 from Mexico City, dated February 14, 1952, the Embassy reported that it had informed the Mexican Delegation at the February 13 meeting that it had no authority to proceed on the basis of the Mexican proposals. The telegram further stated that the negotiations could easily be kept going for the time being. (712.5 MSP/2–1452) The Department replied in telegram 1013 to Mexico City, dated February 19, 1952, that the United States military negotiating team could depart for the United States on February 21, and that the Mexicans should be informed that the team was returning to Washington for consultation and further instructions. The Department continued that although it seemed obvious that there could be no constructive outcome from continuing the negotiations, it wished to consider the possibility of writing a full reply to the Mexican written statement, [Page 1330] summarized in Mexico City telegram 1026 (page 1327). (712.5 MSP/2–1252) On February 20, 1952, in a meeting with Department officials in Washington, Mexican Ambassador Rafael de la Colina stated his belief that the failure to reach agreement on the military assistance question was primarily the result of Mexico’s current presidential campaign. He said that the opposition had attempted to demonstrate that the negotiations proved the allegation that the PRI and President Alemán had sold out to the United States. He concluded that further negotiations should be postponed until after the elections. (Memorandum of conversation, February 20, 1952, 712.00/2–2052)