Enclosed are copies of the briefing papers which are enclosed with the
Chief of Protocol’s memorandum to Mr. Chapin for the presentation of
credentials to the President by Panamanian Ambassador Roberto Ramon
Aleman at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 21.
Enclosure
Briefing Materials
PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS BY PANAMANIAN AMBASSADOR
ROBERTO RAMON ALEMAN (Ah—lay—MAHN)
1. Although Ambassador Aleman’s call is strictly protocolary in
nature, he may raise the following matters of substance:
a. Panama Canal Treaty negotiations.
The Ambassador may urge the resumption of the U.S.-Panamanian
negotiations for a new treaty governing the Panama Canal. Ambassador
Aleman has been appointed by his Government to serve in the dual
capacity of Ambassador to the United States and also as Special
Representative under the U.S.-Panamanian agreement of April 3, 1964,
whereby the two countries agreed to appoint special Ambassadors to
discuss “without limitations” the “causes of conflict” between them.
The U.S. Special Ambassador is former Treasury Secretary Robert B. Anderson.
Negotiations, in which Ambassador Aleman participated, were held from
1964 to 1967; and three draft treaties on canal matters were agreed
to by the negotiators. The Government of Panama, however, did not
accept the proposed treaties or take further action on them, and the
negotiations which thus came to a halt in 1967 have not been
resumed. In October 1968, as the result of a coup against the
constitutional government, a military regime took power in Panama
and suspended the National Assembly. Treaties concluded with the
military government might be repudiated by a subsequent
constitutional regime; and the U.S. Senate would probably be
reluctant to approve them. For this reason, it will be difficult for
us to enter into substantive treaty negotiations at this time,
although we might agree to informal talks.
b. Economic assistance.
The Ambassador may request a “restoration” of U.S. economic
assistance. Because of the coup last October we suspended the AID program in Panama, but since
November, when we extended diplomatic recognition to [Page 3] the de facto regime, we
have resumed implementation of the AID commitments existing before
the coup. We have deferred most new undertakings while we await
progress toward the restoration of constitutional government.
2. The President may wish to make the following points:
- a. If Ambassador Aleman raises the question of treaty
negotiations, assure him of our desire to work out existing
problems with Panama but point out that it will be difficult for
us to go very far in discussing new treaties until Panama
returns to constitutional government. (Ambassador Anderson has
already told Aleman this.)
- b. If Ambassador Aleman brings up economic assistance, point
out that we have continued existing aid projects in Panama and
suggest that Panamanian proposals for changes in our present
program be presented to our Ambassador in Panama.
- c. Assure him of our desire for continuing friendly relations
with Panama.
- d. Express hope for continued progress toward restoration of
constitutional government in Panama.
- e. Express confidence in the United States Ambassador to
Panama, Charles W. Adair, Jr.
3. Ambassador Aleman has not yet called on Secretary Rogers. Aleman arrived in
Washington in early January and made an initial call on Secretary of
State Rusk. Immediately afterward a change in the Panamanian cabinet
caused him to return to Panama for several weeks. It was not until
his return to Washington early in February that Aleman was able to
proceed with the presentation of his credentials.
