Mexico
48. Message From Mexican President Echeverría to President Nixon
Summary: Echeverría conveyed his views on U.S. relations with Mexico and Latin America, and on internal Mexican affairs.
Source: [text not declassified]. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Sent to Kissinger under a March 15, 1973, covering memorandum [text not declassified], that noted the paper was received on March 12 and was probably intended “to inform President Nixon what the Government of Mexico’s concerns are so that your [Kissinger’s March 26] meeting with him can start on that level of frankness which Echeverría appreciates and finds useful.” (Ibid.)
49. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and President Echeverría discussed U.S.-Latin American relations, Echeverría’s upcoming international travels, and a Mexican proposal for a charter on the economic rights and duties of states.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Secret. The conversation took place at the Mexican Presidential residence, Los Pinos. Jorden summarized the outcome of Echeverría’s March–April trip to Canada, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Soviet Union, and China in an April 27 memorandum to Kissinger. (Ibid.) Echeverría had put forward his proposal for a global charter on economic relations between developed and developing nations at an April–May 1972 UNCTAD session. (United Nations Year Book, 1972, pages 273–274)
50. Special National Intelligence Estimate 81–73
Summary: This study assessed President Echeverría’s foreign and domestic policies and concluded that he desired a cooperative relationship with the United States, even as he adopted nationalistic rhetoric and sought a leadership role in the developing world.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 362, Subject Files, National Intelligence Estimates (NIE), Withdrawals, Folder 1. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified.
51. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Jorden briefed Kissinger on possible U.S. approaches to President Echeverría’s proposal for a charter of economic rights and duties.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential. Sent for information. On the first page of the memorandum Kissinger wrote, “I favor approach 2 or anything else that delays it.” Copies were sent to Hormats and Rondon.
52. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger summarized a March 19 memorandum from Director of Central Intelligence Schlesinger regarding President Echeverría’s attitude towards the United States, highlighting the conclusion that Echeverría would draw back from his often critical posture if it became clear that his policies were undermining U.S.-Mexican relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Secret. Sent for information. A note on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.” Attached at Tab A, but not published, is Schlesinger’s unsigned memorandum of March 19. (Ibid.) An undated memorandum from Scowcroft for the President’s files summarized a February 14 conversation with Helms in which Nixon noted that Echeverría had been “particularly obnoxious” in recent public statements and asked if Echeverría was taking a “cheap shot” at the United States or if his actions reflected deeply held beliefs. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 1)
53. Telegram 3082 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: After the kidnapping of Consul General Terrance Leonhardy by leftist militants in Guadalajara on May 4, Chargé d’Affaires Robert Dean reminded Mexican Foreign Secretary Emilio Rabasa of the U.S. Government’s policy of not acceding to terrorist demands.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. In telegram 85770, May 5, the Department instructed Dean to reiterate U.S. policy on handling of kidnappings to Mexican officials. (Ibid., Central Files 1970–1973, PER Leonhardy, Terrance) Kissinger informed President Nixon of the kidnapping in a May 7 memorandum. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973) A May 29 memorandum from Torrey to Kubisch provided a full account of the kidnapping. (Ibid., RG 59, Miscellaneous ARA Country Files, Lot 75D144, Mexico, 1973) In airgram A–531 from Mexico City, October 19, the Embassy reported that the Mexican Government had modified its policy towards political kidnapping cases, announcing that it would no longer negotiate with kidnappers. (Ibid., Central Files 1970–1973, POL 23–8 MEX)
54. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger reviewed the proposed resolution to the Colorado River salinity problem offered by the President’s Special Representative, Herbert Brownell. After outlining the positions of various concerned agencies, Kissinger recommended that the President approve Brownell’s report and authorize Secretary of State Rogers to present the proposal during an upcoming visit to Mexico.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 789, Latin America, Brownell Report on Salinity Problem with Mexico. Confidential. Sent for action. A note on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.” Nixon initialed his approval of the memorandum’s three recommendations. The letter described as Tab A is not attached. All brackets are in the original.
55. National Security Decision Memorandum 218
Summary: Kissinger conveyed the President’s approval of Brownell’s proposed interim and permanent solutions to the Colorado River salinity issue. Kissinger instructed the Department of the Interior to prepare the legislation necessary to fulfill U.S. obligations under the anticipated agreement.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files, Box H–240, NSDM 218, Salinity Problem with Mexico. Confidential. Copies sent to the Secretaries of Defense and Agriculture; Administrator, EPA; Director, OMB; Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality; Chairman, AEC; and Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs. Scowcroft signed for Kissinger.
56. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon
Summary: Rogers reported on the first round of talks between Brownell and Mexican officials on the proposed resolution to the Colorado River salinity problem.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files, National Security Study Memoranda, Box H–197, NSSM 173. Confidential. In telegram 4356 from Mexico City, June 18, McBride reported on a discussion with Echeverría in which the Mexican President noted that Rabasa was “optimistic that a settlement would soon be reached” after his meetings with Brownell. Echeverría also expressed concern that the issue of illegal immigration to the United States “might prove to be more serious and even more difficult of solution” than the long-running salinity problem. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 33–1 MEX–US)
57. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: In a conversation with Acting Secretary of State Kenneth Rush, Rabasa expressed interest in reaching an agreement that would regularize the status of Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States and establish a program for temporary laborers from Mexico. Rush responded that there were obstacles that would make the conclusion of such an agreement difficult but that the U.S. Government wished to do whatever might be possible to address the issue.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL MEX–US. Confidential. Drafted by Shlaudeman. Approved by Rush on July 12. The earlier discussion in the Deputy Secretary’s office is recorded in a separate memorandum of conversation. (Ibid.)
58. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: In a July 11 meeting, Kissinger and Rabasa discussed the state of negotiations on the salinity problem, President Echeverría’s recent international travels, and the Mexican proposal for a charter of economic rights and duties.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Secret. Sent for information. The men met in Kissinger’s office in the White House. The memorandum is dated July 16. Attached but not published is a July 10 memorandum on the salinity problem that Rabasa handed to Kissinger at their meeting. In a July 10 memorandum to Kissinger, Jorden pointed out that meeting Rabasa’s request for concessions in negotiations over the salinity problem would be costly in both political and budgetary terms. (Ibid.) A July 16 memorandum from Rush to Nixon provided a summary of the issues that remained outstanding after the conclusion of July 6–9 talks between Brownell and Rabasa on the salinity problem. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 33–1 MEX–US)
59. Memorandum From the Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Scali) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Permanent Representative to the United Nations John Scali reported on a conversation in which Rabasa appealed for U.S. support for a charter of economic rights and duties of states, an initiative put forward by President Echeverría.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. III, 1973. Confidential; Eyes Only. The text of the memorandum was transmitted to the Embassy in Mexico City. The memorandum, which was not initialed by Scali, was sent to Kissinger under a handwritten note from Scowcroft, which indicated that Scali “wanted you to have this to read on the plane.” Kissinger wrote on the note, “This would have helped before the trip. I want to see Scali the week of Sept. 4. Can he draft Charter we could accept?” In telegram 644 from Mexico City, August 30, the Embassy noted that Kissinger made a 2-day visit to Mexico City in late August. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])
60. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger summarized the key points of an agreement on the Colorado River salinity issue reached by Brownell and Rabasa on August 21. He recommended that President Nixon approve both the agreement and a directive instructing U.S. Agencies to prepare a legislative package for the implementation of its terms.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential. Sent for urgent action. Nixon initialed his approval of Kissinger’s recommendations. A note on the memorandum reads: “Wash. notified 8–28.” Notations on a draft of the memorandum indicate that Nixon conveyed his approval to the White House through a phone message from San Clemente, California, on August 28. Attached as Tab A, but not published, is a draft memorandum from Kissinger to the Secretaries of State and the Interior and the Director of OMB. In telegram 6497 from Mexico City, August 31, the Embassy noted that the accord was formalized with an August 30 exchange of notes. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) In telegram 134951 to Mexico City, June 24, 1974, the Department reported that President Nixon signed legislation implementing U.S. commitments under the agreement on that date. (Ibid., D740165–0734)
61. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: During a bilateral meeting, Kissinger and Rabasa discussed Echeverría’s Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, illegal immigration, and regional matters.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Latin American Staff Files, Country Files, Box 4, Mexico—Political, Military 1. Confidential. The meeting took place in the Secretary’s suite at the Waldorf Towers while Kissinger and Rabasa were in New York for an UNGA session. The Rodino Bill to which Kubisch referred during the discussion on illegal migration was legislation introduced in January 1973 by Representative Peter Rodino (D–NJ) that would have imposed sanctions on employers who hired undocumented workers. The personal letter that Rabasa delivered to Kissinger from Echeverria was not found.
62. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Kubisch) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Responding to Rabasa’s interest in an agreement that would permit large numbers of Mexicans to enter the United States as temporary workers, Kubisch presented a study of the illegal immigration problem and recommended against the reestablishment of a bracero program.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, ARA/MEX Files, Lot 78D235, PER–Ambassador Joseph John Jova, 1973–1975. Confidential. Drafted by Bowdler and Torrey on December 20. Kissinger approved Option 2 on January 4, 1974. Sent under a December 21, 1973, covering note from Kubisch to Kissinger that indicated the memorandum was based on a study carried out by an inter-departmental working group after Kissinger told Rabasa in an October 4 meeting that the U.S. Government would reconsider its position on the illegal immigrant problem. (Document 61.) Tabs A through G are attached but not published. The draft letter to Rabasa attached at Tab A was sent on January 4, 1974.
63. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Kubisch) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Kubisch informed Kissinger of the Cabinet Committee on International Narcotics Control recommendation that he convey U.S. concerns about the increasing flow of narcotics into the United States to Mexican authorities. Kubisch suggested Kissinger raise the issue in a future meeting with Rabasa.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, ARA/MEX Files, Lot 78D235, PER—Ambassador Joseph John Jova, 1973–1975. Confidential. Drafted by Hamilton; cleared by Shankle, Shlaudeman, Kleine, Warner, and in OMB. On December 30 Kissinger initialed his approval of Option II. Attached but not published are an undated and unsigned draft letter from Kissinger to Rabasa (Tab A), talking points for future discussions on the subject (Tab B), the minutes of a November 27 meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse (Tab C), an undated memorandum for the Cabinet Committee from Handley on new patterns of international narcotics traffic (Tab D), and a report on the status of anti-narcotics programs resulting from a September 11 démarche to Echeverría (Tab E).
64. Telegram 26443 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico
Summary: The Department reported on a February 2 meeting between Kissinger and Rabasa in which Rabasa raised various bilateral and multilateral issues and in which Kissinger expressed U.S. concern about the narcotics problem.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Torrey. Cleared by Kubisch and Luers, and approved by Eagleburger. All brackets are in the original except “[ Kubisch ]”, added for clarity. In anticipation of this meeting with Rabasa, Kubisch transmitted to Kissinger talking points and a briefing paper on the narcotics problem under cover of a January 23 memorandum. (Ibid., RG 59, ARA/MEX Files, Lot 77D57, SOC 11–5 Narcotics, 1973)
65. Telegram 5131 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: Ambassador Jova reported on a meeting with Rabasa in which the Mexican Foreign Secretary stated his intention to present a new note on the salinity and immigration issues in an effort to counteract charges in the local press that he was not sufficiently critical of the United States.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Rabasa delivered his note later on June 19, and the Embassy transmitted an informal translation in telegram 5172 to the Department, June 20. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740161–1062) In telegram 5239 from Mexico City, June 21, Jova deplored Rabasa’s “employment of this tactic critical of USG” but observed that the points raised in Rabasa’s note had been “repeated by GOM in many fora over past two years.” (Ibid., D740163–0709) Allegations of mistreatment of Mexican migrants in INS detention centers had previously been raised by Subsecretary of Foreign Relations González Sosa, as reported in telegram 3341 from Mexico City, April 19. (Ibid., D740092–0695) In telegram 5660 from Mexico City, July 5, the Embassy reported it had delivered a memorandum expressing concern about the treatment of U.S. prisoners in Mexican jails to the Foreign Ministry. (Ibid., D740179–0783)
66. Telegram 161834 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico
Summary: The Department transmitted a note to be delivered to the Mexican Foreign Ministry in reply to Rabasa’s June 19 note.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740202–0409. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Hamilton and Torrey; cleared in draft by Feldman and in substance by Greene (INS); and approved by Kubisch. Telegram 5723 from Mexico City, July 9, is ibid., D740182–0537. In telegram 6355 from Mexico City, July 26, the Embassy reported that Jova had delivered the reply to Mexican Subsecretary of Foreign Relations González Sosa and “urged, along lines of note, that GOM also attempt to do its share to impede access of illegal migrants.” (Ibid., D740203–1060)
67. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford and Rabasa discussed immigration issues and the possibility of a visit by the President to Mexico.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, General Subject Files, Box 12, President Ford—Memcon—August 29, 1974—Emilio Rabasa, Secretary of Foreign Relations, Mexico. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. In telegram 7343 from Mexico City, August 28, the Embassy reported on the kidnapping of President Echeverría’s father-in-law, José Guadalupe Zuno Hernández, and noted that the incident would “severely test GOM policy . . . of no negotiations, no deals with kidnappers and terrorists.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740238–0616) In telegram 192503 to Mexico City, September 1, the Department reported on a separate August 29 conversation between Kissinger and Rabasa on the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties, foreign investment in Mexico, and the illegal immigration problem. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 5, Mexico—State Department Telegrams—From Secstate—Exdis)
68. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Low outlined the issues likely to be raised in a meeting between Presidents Ford and Echeverría planned for October 21, lamenting that “we will have little but bad news to give the Mexicans.”
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, General Subject Files, Box 13, Trip—President’s Meeting with Echeverría of Mexico, October 21, 1974, 1. Confidential. Sent for information. A note on the memorandum reads: “10/8 HAK took on trip to ME [Middle East].”
69. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: In preparation for a meeting between Ford and Echeverría, Low briefed Kissinger on possible ways to address the issue of illegal immigration, suggesting that Ford agree to the formation of a commission to study the subject.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, General Subject Files, Box 13, Trip—President’s Meeting with Echeverría of Mexico, October 21, 1974, 3. Confidential. Sent for action (briefing memo). A note on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.” Low reviewed the state of play with respect to the immigration issue in an October 2 memorandum to Kissinger. (Ibid.) According to an October 19 memorandum of conversation among Kissinger, Bowdler, Low, William D. Rogers, and Dreyfuss, Rogers observed that “We really have no political give” on the issue of illegal immigration, and Bowdler informed Kissinger that Rabasa had backed off earlier statements that Mexico would undertake to reduce the number of illegal migrants to the United States upon the conclusion of a new bracero agreement. Kissinger predicted that Echeverría would “talk about the Charter, non-alignment, friendship for the U.S.” at the bilateral meetings “and then make a public speech unfriendly to the U.S. and say he didn’t mean it but had to do it for domestic consumption.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820121–2515)
70. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford, Echeverría, Kissinger, and Rabasa discussed the need for continued cooperation to combat narcotics trafficking and address the problem of illegal immigration. The Presidents agreed that the time was not right to pursue a new immigration agreement, and they discussed establishing a joint commission to study the issue in greater depth.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, General Subject Files 1974–1977, Box 13, Trip—President’s Meeting with Echeverría of Mexico. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Rogers and Anthony Hervas in Language Services. All brackets are in the original except “[nationalize],” added for clarity. At the conclusion of his meetings with Ford, Echeverría publicly dropped Mexico’s push for a new bracero accord, telling a news conference in Tubac, Arizona, “that we have definitely desisted from our intention of signing an agreement, and this is due to the fact that we made a revision of the previous agreement and we saw that in practice, in the way it works, it is not good. It gives opposite results from the ones we want.” (Department of State Bulletin, November 18, 1974, p. 665)
71. Telegram 9030 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: Jova reported on Rabasa’s dismay upon learning that the United States would feel constrained to vote against the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States as it was then drafted, despite what the Mexican Foreign Secretary had perceived as a statement of support for the initiative by President Ford during a press conference after his October 21 meetings with Echeverría.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 5, Mexico—State Department Telegrams—To SecState—Nodis. Confidential; Immediate; Nodis. In telegram 233034 to Mexico City, October 23, the Department stated that Mexican press reports of a change in the U.S. position on the Charter were wrong and that “USG policy remains that of supporting in principle a Charter, provided that its provisions strike a proper balance between the interests of developing and developed countries, and opposing a Charter that does not.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740307–0289) Telegram 9013 from Mexico City, October 23, is ibid., D740301–0779. The New York Times reports mentioned in the telegram were not further identified. In telegram 9100 from Mexico City, October 25, the Embassy reported on a meeting in which Rabasa had reviewed the Charter “in a mood of grave seriousness combined with emotion (soda water, bicarbonate and even an angry tear),” urging that the United States not oppose the proposal. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 5, Mexico—State Department Telegrams—To SecState—Nodis)
72. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Rabasa discussed Mexico’s proposed Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, which was before the United Nations General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820121–2628. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Schwebel on December 6 and approved by David Gompert in S on December 9. The conversation took place in the Secretary’s office. According to a December 5 memorandum of conversation, Kissinger told Ford that “Echeverría has his whole ego wrapped up in the Charter.” Observing that Treasury and his legal advisers opposed the Charter, Kissinger stated that “they are right on substance” and that the United States had not taken stronger action against the proposal “only because of our relations with Mexico.” Ford asked if abstention would satisfy Echeverría, and Kissinger said it would. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 7, 12/5/74)
73. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll)
Summary: In a conversation with Deputy Secretary of State Robert Ingersoll, Kissinger indicated his desire to find a way to abstain on Mexico’s proposal for a Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, and he expressed frustration with efforts by U.S. officials at the United Nations to undermine the initiative.
Source: Department of State, FOIA Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts, Telecon with Ingersoll at 7:55 a.m., 12/6/75. No classification marking. In telegram 5780 from New York, December 6, Scali reported that a “deeply agitated and emotional” Rabasa had told him that a U.S. vote against the Charter would lead to “a parting of the ways” between Mexico and the United States. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740355–0656) According to a December 6 telephone conversation transcript, Kissinger asked Rabasa if it would be possible for him to seek a 1–2 week postponement of the vote on the Charter so that he could “take Percy out of it” and “work for an abstention.” (Department of State, FOIA Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts, Telecon with Rabasa at 6:52 p.m., 12/6/74) According to a December 7 telephone conversation transcript, Kissinger spoke with Percy, who argued that it would be impossible to avoid voting against the Charter “without total capitulation on our part.” (Ibid., Telecon with Percy at 11:33 a.m., 12/7/74) In telegram 5947 from New York, December 13, the Mission to the United Nations reported that it had voted against the Charter, which was approved in the UNGA by a vote of 120–6, with 10 abstentions. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740362–0582)
74. Telegram 10712 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: Jova reported that Rabasa was still upset by the U.S. vote against the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States but that the Mexican Foreign Secretary hoped the United States would reassess its position on the issue in the months ahead.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 5, Mexico—State Department Telegrams—Tosecstate—Nodis. Secret; Nodis.
75. Telegram 97 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: Telling Jova of his satisfaction with the overall state of U.S.-Mexican relations after his meeting with Ford, Echeverría expressed concern about new U.S. trade legislation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750004–0783. Confidential; Immediate. In circular telegram 282967 to all diplomatic and consular posts, December 28, 1974, the Department outlined the provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, which denied tariff preferences to members of producer cartels and certain other categories of countries. (Ibid., D740376–0551) In telegram 315 from Mexico City, January 13, the Embassy reported that Rabasa considered the law discriminatory and planned to raise the subject with Kissinger. (Ibid., D750013–0253)
76. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Rabasa discussed the Trade Act, the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, and the planned Buenos Aires meeting of the hemisphere’s Foreign Ministers.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820123–1140. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Dreyfuss on January 18 and approved by Parker Borg in S on January 26. The meeting was held in the Secretary’s office. In telegram 24303 to Mexico City, February 3, the Department transmitted to the Embassy its response to the two aide-mémoire on the Trade Act left by Rabasa with Kissinger on January 14. (Ibid., D750039–0472) In telegram 1062 from Mexico City, February 4, the Embassy suggested changes to the U.S. responses and stated its intention to deliver the aide-mémoire to Rabasa in an upcoming meeting. (Ibid., D750041–0102)
77. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford
Summary: Kissinger recommended establishing an inter-agency committee to study the problem of illegal immigration from Mexico as agreed upon during October 21, 1974, meetings between Ford and Echeverría.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 5, Mexico 2. Confidential. Sent for action. The President approved the recommendation. Attached (Tab A), but not published, is a March 5 memorandum from Kissinger to the Attorney General, the Deputy Secretary of State, the President’s Assistant for Domestic Affairs, and the Secretaries of the Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, and Health, Education, and Welfare, informing them of the President’s decision.