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

461. Editorial Note

In a memorandum dated March 21, Thorsten V. Kalijarvi requested Roy R. Rubottom, Jr., to review the question of negotiating a settlement for United States logistical support provided Colombia during the Korean conflict. This memorandum was accompanied by a paper which reported on the legal basis for settlement negotiations. (Department of State, Rubottom Files: Lot 59 D 573, Colombia) In a memorandum of April 16 to Kalijarvi, Rubottom recommended against the initiation of talks with Colombia on this issue. He stated, “The Colombians would, in all likelihood, respond that they can pay nothing. At present Colombia is confronted with an acute foreign exchange shortage. In its external accounts it has a large accumulation of commercial indebtedness.” Rubottom recommended that negotiations be undertaken at a later time. (Ibid.)