Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Multilateral; Mexico; Caribbean, Volume VI

211. Memorandum From the Secretary of State to the President¹

Washington, August 10, 1955.

SUBJECT

• Bilateral Air Transport Agreement with Mexico

The attached outline of procedure in the negotiation of a bilateral air transport agreement with Mexico has been agreed upon by the Department and the Civil Aeronautics Board. (Tab A)² Instructions to Ambassador White have been drafted (Tab B) authorizing him to discuss with the President of Mexico, in accordance with the latter’s specific request, the air routes desired by the United States and United States comments on the latest Mexican route proposal. It is contemplated that if favorable Mexican reaction is not received within a reasonable length of time, the Civil Aeronautics Board will issue an order requiring the Compania Mexicana de Aviacion to show cause why its services between Mexico City and Los Angeles should not be curtailed or terminated. At the same time the Civil Aeronautics Board will assign a date for hearing the application of Guest Aerovias Mexico for renewal of its permit to operate between Miami and Mexico City.

An indication of whether this procedure meets with your approval is respectfully requested. It has been developed in consultation with Mr. Gerald Morgan of your staff.³

JFD

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.1294/8–1055. Confidential.
2. Neither tab found attached to the source text.
3. The President initialed his approval of this memorandum. In a memorandum dated August 16 to the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, the Secretary’s Special Assistant Roderic L. O’Connor wrote: “Gerald Morgan, Counsel to the President, called me yesterday and said that the President had approved the procedure as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum of August 10. However, he added that the President wanted to make certain that Ambassador White also approved this procedure and that the President’s approval was conditional upon Ambassador White’s approval. I spoke to Mr. Holland this morning who said that Ambassador White had in fact participated in drawing up this procedure, was thoroughly conversant with it, and approved it.” (Department of State, Central Files, 611.1294/8–1055)