Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

487. Memorandum From the Country Director for Panama (Grove) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Hurwitch)¹ ²

Washington, November 14, 1969

SUBJECT:

• Possible Negotiations with Nicaragua on the Future of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty

Ambassador Anderson informed me today that he had no objection to our initiating discussions with the Nicaraguan Government with a view to arriving at eventual termination or substantial amendment of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty.

The Ambassador said that while it might be preferable to seek to amend the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty, he would be willing, if necessary, to see the treaty abrogated.

Ambassador Anderson explained that, although there is some degree of leverage with the Panamanians by virtue of the fact that this treaty provides a theoretical option to construct a canal in Nicaragua, nearly everyone knows that we are not going to build a canal there, and the leverage is therefore slight.

Ambassador Anderson expressed the hope that our discussions with the Nicaraguans might last a while, because the longer amendment or abrogation are delayed, the longer the life of out modest leverage with the Panamanians.

Ambassador Anderson asked to be kept informed of the progress of our discussions with the Nicaraguans. I promised that this would be done.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33 NIC. Secret. Drafted by Grove. Copies were sent to Anderson, Sheffey of the Canal Study Commission, Breen, Feldman, and Meyer.
2. Country Director for Panama Grove reported that Panama Canal negotiator Ambassador Anderson had no objections to the eventual termination or substantial amendment of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty. According to Anderson, the Treaty offered the United States little or no leverage for ongoing negotiations with Panama, because “nearly everyone knows that we are not going to build a canal there.”