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

CR–27. Letter from the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Mann) to the President of Costa Rica (Echandi)¹

Washington, November 10, 1960

Dear Mr. President:

I have delayed telling you what a pleasure it was to hear from you in the hope that I would be able to give you some definitive answers to the two questions to which your letter of October 1 refers.²

Both your Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Jorge Borbon Castro, and your Ambassador, Mr. Manuel Escalante, made very effective presentations concerning both of these projects to the respective banking institutions. Your personal letter has of course been especially helpful.

I do not need to tell you of our interest in your plan to open up new farms. I have talked again today with the Development Loan Fund about this project. The Fund is awaiting some information which it expects to receive next week from Costa Rica. I have been assured that the Fund’s staff is considering this project on an urgent basis and with sympathy.

In regard to the water works project which is pending before the Export-Import Bank, you are, I am sure, aware that the International Cooperation Administration has already made available $20 thousand to bring up to date the engineering report concerning this. Just as soon as this report has been brought up to date the Export-Import Bank will, we are assured, give this its most prompt attention.

I hope to be able soon to report further progress to you concerning both of these projects.

Please permit me to express again the gratitude of the United States Delegation to the recent Foreign Ministers meetings in San Jose for the warmth and hospitality of the Costa Rican Government and people. We were all distressed here to learn of the recent floods in your wonderful country and hope that the situation has been brought under control.

Nancy joins me in sending to you and Mrs. Echandi our warmest greetings and best wishes.

With greatest respect and esteem,

Sincerely yours,

Thomas C. Mann

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 718.5-MSP/10–160. This letter was sent by pouch to the Embassy at San José, November 12, 1960. No record of its delivery to Echandi was found in Department of State files.
2. In his letter, President Echandi asked that the United States finance a plan for creation of new farms and that it agree to do so in time for him to announce the plan when he cast his veto of expected legislation on land distribution. (718.5–MSP/10–160)