Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980 Volume XXIV, South America; Latin America Region

248. Letter From President Carter to Colombian President Turbay¹

Washington, December 8, 1978

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you very much for your letter of November 3.² Before discussing the issues you raised, please let me express my best wishes for the success of your administration.

Concerning the Treaty on the Status of Quita Sueno, I share your desire to ratify and implement this treaty soon. As you know, the Department of State has discussed with Ambassador Barco the problems involved.³ We are sending more information and instructions to Ambassador Asencio to use in his discussions in Bogota to find a formula which satisfies the concerns of both our governments.⁴

I also congratulate you on the firm measures being taken against narcotics trafficking in Colombia. I know of no more significant action that your administration could take than to help eradicate the evils of narcotics and narcotics traffic. I am keenly aware of the contribution these efforts can make to my country’s welfare. My Administration has dedicated new resources to our campaign against the flow of illegal drugs across our borders. You can count on me and my Administration for the cooperation and coordination that are essential if our mutual efforts are to succeed.

I share your desire to see the completion of the Pan American Highway.⁵ As you know, a major constraint has been the danger that foot and mouth disease could spread from Colombia to Central America, Mexico and the United States, which are now disease free.

For nearly five years, we have cooperated with Colombia to help control this disease as much as Congressional budgetary limitations have permitted. We want to continue that cooperation. I am pleased to learn of your strong emphasis on the control of foot and mouth disease; as you know, Colombia’s willingness to increase its contribution of funds and resources—and to establish a framework which will assure the program’s success—is essential to the continuation of our cooperation next year at the same level of activity as this year. I also hope that we can make significant progress toward completion of the Pan American Highway from Alaska to Chile during our administrations.

Our two countries have worked together closely and productively since your inauguration, and I look forward to warm and friendly relations in the future.⁶

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 4, Colombia: President Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, 8/78-2/80. No classification marking.
2. The letter is ibid.
3. Vaky met with Barco on November 15. In telegram 304516 to Bogota, December 1, the Department transmitted the text of a November 24 letter from Vaky to Barco regarding procedures for the ratification of treaties. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780496-0859)
4. Telegram 321277 to Bogota, December 21. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780528-0535)
5. In a December 7 memorandum to Carter, Brzezinski wrote: “we had hoped to be more forthcoming” on the matter of the completion of the Pan American Highway through the Darien Gap, “but Congressional resistance and budgetary constraints have operated to cause the Department of Transportation, with OMB approval, to drop the $12.5 million item from its FY 1980 budget request.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 4, Colombia: President Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, 8/78-2/80)
6. Carter wrote “Best wishes!” and initialed below his signature.