Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

456. Memorandum From Albert H. Gerberich of the Office of South American Affairs to the Director of the Office (Bernbaum)¹

Washington, August 10, 1956.

SUBJECT

• Status of Pending Problems with Colombia

1. Religious Problem. In Telegram 81 of August 3² Ambassador Bonsal requested “Maximum amount ammunition in order to make strong representations regarding importance we attach to situation which has now hung fire nearly four months in spite of series of promises that settlement imminent.” After consultation with L/ARA, Tel. 98 of August 8³ was sent Ambassador Bonsal, authorizing him in his discretion to make representations, stressing: Long delay in clearing up situation; unprovoked continuing attacks on missionaries and missions inside and outside mission territories; concern expressed to President Rojas by Secretary Dulles; impairment of U.S. goodwill toward Colombia because of anti-Protestant policy; 1846 Treaty⁴ provisions and those of Article 53 of Colombian Constitution applicable throughout all the territory of Colombia cannot be abridged by decrees or agreements to which the U.S. is not a party.

2. Cali disaster relief. At 1:07 a.m. on August 8 a terrific explosion, apparently caused by accident or sabotage of several truckloads of TNT parked near the Codazzi engineers barracks and the old freight station in Cali, razed 8 city blocks and caused casualties estimated between 1200 and 2000. As soon as word reached the Department contact was made with the American Red Cross and other relief agencies and with the Pentagon and by 4:00 p.m. a plane load of supplies with a public health service doctor and the Panama representative of the American Red Cross was on its way to Cali. On the afternoon of August 9 the Colombian Government informed the representative that the supplies furnished were ample and thanked him for his prompt assistance; he has now returned to Panama. There were no U.S. casualties.

3. Bilateral Aviation Agreement. Our Embassy was informed on July 31 that President Rojas had authorized acceptance of the final U.S. route proposal contained in the text of the agreement transmitted to Bogota. However, Ambassador Obregon,⁵ head of the Colombian negotiation team, raised several points that he considers “minor” ones which must be ironed out before he is satisfied with the text. A full statement of these proposed textual changes was furnished the Department in Despatch 66 of July 31⁶ and they are now being studied. Inasmuch as there was general concurrence in Bogota on the text of the agreement, there is suspicion in the Department and CAB that Obregon’s “minor changes” represent his attempt to prolong or prevent the signing of the agreement. It is planned to discuss these changes with the carriers on Tuesday, August 14, and submit a report to the Board on Wednesday or Thursday. The Colombian Ambassador has informed the Department that Avianca Airlines⁷ no longer opposes the agreement and considers it a fait accompli; it is already trying to get larger planes to permit it to compete more favorably with Braniff Airlines and is studying arrangements to call at San Juan en route to Europe.⁸

4. Rumors of a Possible Coup in Colombia. From … Air Attaché in Bogota,⁹ and from our Embassy have come reports indicating the possibility of a coup d’état to overthrow the Rojas Government. Our Embassy is also of the opinion that the Cali disaster may further weaken the Government’s position. President Rojas is already trying to deflect popular indignation toward his opponents by connecting the tragedy with the manifesto issued by Laureano Gomez and Lieras Camargo, calling on both parties to unite their efforts in restoring democratic processes. Evidence of wholesale graft, involving the President’s own family, contribute to the general dissension. The guerrilla warfare seems to be spreading.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 821.413/8–1056. Confidential.
2. Not printed. (Ibid., 821.413/8–356)
3. Not printed. (Ibid.)
4. A bilateral Treaty of Peace, Amity, Navigation, and Commerce was signed by representatives of the United States and Colombia at Bogotá on December 12, 1846, and entered into force on June 10, 1848. For text, see 9 Stat. 881.
5. Mauricio Obregón, Colombian Ambassador to Venezuela.
6. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 811.2194/7–3156)
7. The Colombian national airlines, Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia.
8. On October 24, a bilateral Air Transport Agreement was signed in Bogotá by Ambassador Bonsal, Colombian Foreign Minister José Manuel Rivas Sacconi, and Ambassador Obregón. The agreement entered into force provisionally on January 1, 1957. For text of the agreement, see 14 UST (pt. 1) 429. For documentation on the negotiations leading to the signing of this agreement, see Department of State, Central Files 611.2194 and 821.431.
9. Colonel Gerald W. Crabbe.