719.11/3–753: Telegram
The Ambassador in Panama (Wiley) to the Department of State
460. Called on Foreign Minister this morning. He referred to President Remon’s press conference yesterday (Embtel 459)1 stating Remon desired visit Washington April. He added considerable importance attached to Remon’s proceeding April. He explained Remon did not himself intend to engage in negotiations for treaty revision et cetera but wished merely to see President Eisenhower in order arrange initiation negotiations for which purpose Panamanian Government would appoint committee of which two or more members would remain in Washington for duration negotiations.
[Page 1406]I inquired what points Remon desired to include in proposed negotiations. Foreign Minister replied that advisory committee was preparing report on the subject which probably ready by March 15. Until report completed he was of course not in position to inform me. He did however tell me privately and off record that points would include an increase in annual annuity, question of incorporation of [Canal Zone?] into a company, trans-Isthmian transportation, competition of commissaries and general economic relations of Canal Zone with Republic, construction of docks and harbor facilities in Colon free Zone, and financing of a building project.
In reply I suggested that any visit of Remon as Chief of State to Washington would involve very considerable preparation and moreover new administration at present confronted problems greatest urgency and magnitude and I therefore thought any idea President Remon’s visiting Washington near future was most premature. Foreign Minister answered Remon considered it essential to have new agreement with US ready for presentation to national assembly in October. He felt if negotiations not initiated in April there would not be adequate time to prepare new agreement. I answered him in very vague terms that question US economic collaboration with Panama was receiving interested consideration in Department and that certain studies were being initiated on working level. I feared however some months at least must elapse before such questions could be considered on the higher policy level. Foreign Minister appeared unimpressed.
Before my departure for Washington in January there had been several press references to possibility Remon’s proceeding US. At that time I already attempted in every way to discourage project.
President Remon’s present initiative probably responds to much pressure particularly from Foreign Minister. From remarks attributed to Remon he seems to be under impression that in Washington he would become golfing companion of President Eisenhower. He perhaps hopes that through personal contact he would out do ex-President Harmodio [Arnulfo] Arias who extracted extensive concessions from President Roosevelt.
If the Department replies that no visits of Chiefs of State to the US are being contemplated as yet and that any desire the Panamanian Government may have for readjusting relations between two countries should be first presented through diplomatic channels, I hope message will be embellished in such way as least to wound Remon’s sensibilities.2
[Page 1407]Foreign Minister stated Ambassador Heurtematte not informed as yet of Remon’s plan.
- Not printed (611.19/3–753).↩
- The Department replied in telegram 271 dated Mar. 13, 1953 that it was impossible to schedule the Remón visit for the current year because of the large backlog of requests for official visits and the demands such visits made on the Chief Executive’s time. The Department also noted that a visit during which substantive problems were to be discussed should be preceded by considerable study of the issues involved. (719.11/3–753)↩