83. Memorandum From the Deputy U.S. Negotiator (Bell) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers)1
PANAMA
Meeting with Congressional Aides
We got some interesting commentary and advice from the congressional aides:
1. They were all impressed with what the negotiation has yielded thus far as regards protecting U.S. interests. If we get much of what we want on the outstanding issues, we will have a “saleable” treaty.
2. Most of them believe we can get a treaty ratified this year—if submitted right after the summer recess—with an all-out administration effort.
3. The President must provide positive leadership in the Executive and take a strong public stand soon. Republicans on the Hill will respond positively to that leadership.
4. If the treaty is not submitted now, ’76 is out, although it would be more of a Republican party issue in presidential primaries than a national election issue. After the primaries we could sign a treaty with less danger than before.
5. An initialed treaty would be much more difficult to deal with on the Hill than a signed treaty because it presumably would not be made public. This would cause problems.
6. Most senators recognize that opposing congressional mail on Panama is not representative. It has become a cause of the far right and is generally recognized as such. Still, mail on only one side of the issue is troublesome.
7. A number of aides were distressed by what they termed State being outmaneuvered by DOD on the Hill. They claim that DOD is actively collaborating with treaty opponents while State is hyper-cautious in dealing with treaty friends.