CO–4. Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Colombian Affairs (Gerberich)1
SUBJECT
- Religious problem in Colombia.
PARTICIPANTS
- Assistant Secretary Rubottom
- OSA—Mr. Bernbaum
- OSA—Mr. Wardlaw
- OSA—Mr. Gerberich
Mr. Rubottom said that the first question he took up with the Foreign Minister2, on arrival at Bogotá was the matter of treatment of Protestants. He told the Foreign Minister that it was disappointing that no churches had been reopened except two in all the months that have passed since the new administration has been in power. The Foreign Minister said it was dangerous in some cases to reopen Protestant churches, as it might develop into a question of public order and safety, but the Government had opened some additional churches. Ambassador Cabot, who was present, said, “I am sorry, Mr. Minister, but none of these churches except Berranca Bermeja have been opened.” The Minister then spoke to his assistant and there was some discussion between them, after which he told Mr. Rubottom that he thought some of the churches on the list could and should be reopened.
Later in a conversation with Gen. Navas Pardo of the Military Junta Mr. Rubottom brought up the question of the closed churches again. He pointed out that it is very difficult for us to talk of economic or technical or military aid to Colombia when this question of treatment of the Protestants still remains unsolved, for some one is sure to raise the question of reopening the closed Protestant churches. Gen. Navas said he was aware of this, and Mr. Rubottom could be sure that some of the churches will be reopened.