Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXII, Panama, 1973–1976

98. Memorandum by Ambassador at Large Bunker¹

Washington, September 18, 1975.

Clements’ Talks with Senators Byrd and Thurmond

Steve Low reported that during the past week Deputy Secretary Clements had seen both Senator Byrd and Senator Thurmond.² He told them that the negotiations would probably take an extended period of time and did not foresee a treaty being presented to the Senate until after the elections in ’76.

Both Senator Byrd and Senator Thurmond had responded by saying that in view of the fact that the negotiations would be protracted there was no need for them to press ahead urgently with their views at this time. Clements believed, therefore, that we might see a let-up in the pressure from these sources for the present.

EB³

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Ambassador Bunker’s Correspondence, Lot 78D300, Box 3, Congress. No classification marking.
2. A typed note at the bottom of the page reads: “Note: Confirmed to me by Mr. Clements, Sept. 18.”
3. Printed from a copy with these typed initials.