PM–57. Telegram from the Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Panama1
133. Eyes Only Ambassador.
The President has determined that the Panamanian flag will be flown together with the U.S. flag on a daily basis in Shaler’s Triangle, this action to be initiated as soon as possible.
If you see no overriding objection to following schedule, Dept suggests:
- 1.
- At 9:00 a.m. EDT/ Sept 17th you will deliver to the Panamanian Foreign Office the note quoted in Part 1 of Deptel 1342 and the Dept will [Typeset Page 984] at the same hour deliver to the Panamanian Embassy in Washington the note quoted in Part 2 of Deptel 134.
- 2.
- At 11:00 a.m. EDT/ September 17th you will issue the statement quoted in Part 3 of Deptel 134.
- 3.
- FYI/ Concurrently, the White House will issue parallel statement, text of which will be cabled for your info when available.
- 4.
- FYI / As soon thereafter as physically possible, i.e., as soon as flag poles can be erected and Shaler’s Triangle suitably neatened, hopefully following day but certainly before October 1st, the flags will be flown.
- 5.
- FYI. The flags will be raised and lowered by U.S. personnel only.
- 6.
- FYI. The modest costs incurred for flag poles, etc., will be met through special funds. A clarifying message on this will follow shortly. END FYI
Re 4, 5 and 6, Dept Army instructed Governor of Canal Zone by separate message.3
In absence serious objection your part, in which case cable NIACT, you are instructed immediately to inform the Governor of your instructions. You should also inform CINCARIB, stressing to both necessity holding in confidence till public announcement. You may inform them these instructions have White House concurrence.
Please comment urgently on the drafts sent in DEPTEL 134.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 719.04/9–1560. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Long and Merchant on September 14, approved by Herter, and initialled by Long.↩
- See Document PM�58.↩
- Not found.↩