151. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, August 22, 19561
SUBJECT
- Philippine Base Negotiations
- Panama
- Brazil
- Greece
PARTICIPANTS
- Deputy Secretary Reuben Robertson, Defense Department
- Admiral Radford, Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Acting Secretary Robert Murphy
[Here follows discussion of the Philippine base negotiations.]
Panama. We had considerable discussion of general conditions in Panama affecting American interests and I voiced regret that routine operating problems such as wages paid to Panamanian laborers, commissary privileges, school facilities, etc., had created the volume of local dissatisfaction which seemed to be the case. I said that it is appreciated, of course, that some Panamanians attempt to exploit our presence in the area and that this psychology will undoubtedly continue to prevail. I raised the question of Nike sites and was pleased to obtain an immediate reaction from Admiral Radford to the effect that we are no longer interested in obtaining the Nike sites agreement from the Panamanians. He said that he and a number of others are opposed to the Nike program. It was agreed that we would simply have our Ambassador drop the matter without saying to the Panamanians for the moment at least that we had abandoned the project. I expressed the view that this reduction of our requirements would be most helpful in our present situation in Panama.
[Here follows discussion of military relations with Brazil and Greece.]
- Source: Department of State, ARA Files: Lot 60 D 667, Panama 1956—Radar. Secret. Extract. Drafted by Murphy.↩