67. Memorandum of conversation, July 24, between President Kennedy and Ambassador Uribe Botero1

[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Colombian Ambassador’s Presentation of Credentials to the President

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Edwin M. Martin, Assistant Secretary, ARA
  • Eduardo Uribe Botero, Colombian Ambassador

After a brief exchange of [illegible in the original] by the President to the great pleasure with which he and his wife recalled their visit to Colombia, the President asked the Ambassador how the violence problem was progressing. The Ambassador reported that the areas of violence had been much reduced and progress was good. The President welcomed this and then asked about the economic situation.

The Ambassador stressed the difficulties they were having with their budgetary deficit. The President inquired whether [illegible in the original]. inflationary problem. The Ambassador added not at the present time. The President commented that, if there were no problem of inflation, they ought to be able to handle the budgetary problem by various means. At the request of the President, Assistant Secretary Martin pointed out that they had just passed through crisis on inflation and balance of payments and were only now getting the situation under control. Under these conditions the budgetary deficit presented difficulties. The President agreed, emphasizing the seriousness of balance of payments problems.

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The President inquired about his good friend Ambassador Sanz de Santamaria. The Ambassador replied that he was very well but very busy in his role as Finance Minister. He indicated he thought he might be in Washington in a month or two. The [Facsimile Page 2] President said he would like very much to see him when he comes and would look forward to seeing the Ambassador and the Finance Minister together then.

The President concluded with an expression of pleasure at welcoming the new Ambassador and indicated he was always available to see him if he had any problems.

  1. Presentation of Ambassador’s credentials; Colombian budgetary difficulties. Confidential. 2 pp. DOS, CF, POL 17 COL–U.S.