PM–54. Memorandum from the Secretary of State to the President1
Washington, September 8,
1960
SUBJECT
- Relationship Between the Chief of the United States Mission in
Panama and the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone
At the meeting in your office on September 1st Secretary Brucker and I indicated our agreement
on the primacy of the Chief of the United States
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Mission in Panama over the Governor
of the Panama Canal Zone in matters affecting the relations between the
United States and the Republic of Panama or any other nation. We said
further that we would submit for your consideration draft letters to be
sent by you to each of us confirming this relationship. I enclose for
your consideration these draft letters.2
Secretary Brucker concurs in this
memorandum.
CHRISTIAN A.
HERTER
Christian A. Herter
[Enclosure 1]
Draft of a Letter from the President to the Secretary of the Army
(Brucker)3
Dear Mr. Secretary:
It is my desire that there should be clarification of the
relationship between the Chief of the United States Diplomatic
Mission in Panama and the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone in
matters affecting the relations between the United States and the
Republic of Panama or any other nation.
I therefore direct that in the exercise of his functions the Governor
of the Canal Zone shall consult with the Chief of the United States
Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Panama on all matters which
may have foreign affairs implications, and with respect to such
matters shall be guided by the foreign policy considerations set
forth by the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission in the
Republic of Panama. In the event of their failure to agree with
respect to any proposed action to which the chief of the United
States Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Panama shall object for
reasons of foreign policy, such action shall be deferred pending a
mutual decision thereon by the Secretary of the Army and the
Secretary of State.
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I would appreciate it if you would issue appropriate instructions to
the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone.
I am sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary of State for his
information.
Sincerely yours,
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[Facsimile Page 4]
[Enclosure 2]
Draft of a Letter from the President to the Secretary of
State4
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I quote below a letter I have sent today to the Secretary of the Army
on the question of the relationship between the Chief of the United
States Diplomatic Mission in Panama and the Governor of the Panama
Canal Zone:
“It is my desire that there should be clarification of the
relationship between the Chief of the United States Diplomatic
Mission in Panama and the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone in
matters affecting the relations between the United States and the
Republic of Panama or any other nation.
“I therefore direct that in the exercise of his functions the
Governor of the Canal Zone shall consult with the Chief of the
United States Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Panama on all
matters which may have foreign affairs implications, and with
respect to such matters shall be guided by the foreign policy
considerations set forth by the Chief of the United States
Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of Panama. In the
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event
of their failure to agree with respect to any proposed action to
which the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission in the
Republic of Panama shall object for reasons of foreign policy, such
action shall be deferred pending a mutual decision thereon by the
Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of State.
“I would appreciate it if you would issue appropriate instructions to
the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone.”
Sincerely yours,
