Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, American Republics, Volume V

58. Letter From the Secretary of State to the President¹

Washington, January 7, 1958.

Dear Mr. President: I have given further thought to the possibility of my making a trip to Latin America and have concluded that it would be better not to do this in February. Combined with my trips to the Baghdad Pact meeting this month, the SEATO meeting in March, and a NATO meeting in Europe probably in May, I believe that adding Latin America might give an impression of too much travel and too much absence from Washington. This impression might give difficulty particularly while Congress is in session.

I am, however, keeping in mind the thought of a Latin American trip next summer or fall. Meanwhile, I have approved a recommendation that plans be made for Milton to visit Panama and Central America beginning about June 16.²

Faithfully yours,

Foster

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU/1–758. Drafted by Joseph N. Greene, Jr.
2. In a memorandum to Secretary Dulles on December 26, 1957, Roy R. Rubottom recommended that Dulles approve Milton Eisenhower’s plans to visit Central America and Panama around June 15, 1958. On January 3, 1958, Dulles initialed his approval of Bottom’s recommendation. (ibid., 120.1513/12–2657)