92. Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll) to Secretary of State Kissinger1
SUBJECT
- Panama Canal Negotiating Package
I am happy to report that our firm pressure on Defense, coupled with the sensible attitude adopted by Bill Clements and George Brown, resulted in the resolution this morning of State-Defense differences on land and water use in the Panama Canal negotiating package. Brown overcame the intransigence of our authorities (military and civil) in the Canal Zone by devising a degree-of-risk concept making it possible to add seven areas and facilities (of defense or operational significance) to Bunker’s negotiating kit. Our memorandum to the President will point out that we have more work to do on such problems as selecting bases for designation as joint facilities, reducing our military presence and consolidating our base structure over time. However, that program need not delay Bunker’s return to Panama to negotiate land-water use. Since this morning’s meeting was attended by Clements, Brown and Colby (as well as Bunker and Rogers), I believe we can make this compromise stick. Bob Ellsworth was also present: like Schlesinger he strongly opposes any give but he has been overruled by Clements.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760137–1359. Confidential. Sent through S/S.↩