821.51/2584
Memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bonsal) to the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
Mr. Welles: The Colombian Ambassador is not pleased with the formula contained in the final paragraph of our press release on the [Page 722] Colombian debt settlement to the effect that “the offer of the Colombian Government constitutes a fair effort on its part to adjust its obligations”. The Colombian Ambassador is of the opinion that a statement should have been made to the effect that the offer constitutes “a fair settlement”.
Some days ago, I told Mr. Laylin that we did not envisage discussions with the Colombian Embassy regarding the text of the statement which we were prepared to issue on this subject. I indicated to the Ambassador, however, that, although the wording of our statement was still under discussion, it would convey the view that the offer was a fair settlement.
While I feel that the formula which finally resulted from the haggling over phraseology, apparently characteristic of an interdepartmental statement of this nature, is not an entirely happy one, I am very strongly of the opinion that it represents a complete fulfilment of our commitment to the Colombian Ambassador.
Yesterday afternoon I agreed that I would furnish the Colombian Ambassador with a copy of our statement some thirty minutes before the statement was released to the press in order to enable the Ambassador to make any comment which he might desire in connection therewith to inquiring reporters. Consequently, at about seven o’clock, I gave Mr. Laylin several copies of the statement. Two or three minutes later, Mr. Laylin telephoned me and asked me to hold up the release to the press until he had had a chance to talk to the Ambassador. I made no commitment to this effect. I did, however, delay the release for a few minutes so that, if there were any factual corrections to be made, it could be attended to.
At about seven-thirty, Mr. Laylin telephoned me from the Embassy. He stated that the Colombian Ambassador was dissatisfied with the statement and felt that from the point of view of public opinion in Colombia, it would perhaps be preferable to make no statement at all rather than the one in question. I told Mr. Laylin that I did not agree with this point of view and I stressed the fact that the action of the United States Government in this matter was almost unprecedented. In view of the fact that Mr. Laylin stated that the Ambassador wished to discuss the matter with you prior to the issuance of the statement, I went through the motions of finding out from CI23 that the statement had already been released and that it was too late to recall it. I so informed Mr. Laylin.
If it is desired to do anything further to please the Colombian Ambassador, we might arrange for the Secretary to be questioned on the settlement at his press conference. In his reply he might use [Page 723] the expression “a fair settlement” and the Colombian Ambassador could then telegraph this to his Government.
The headlines of the New York Times’ story this morning on this matter should do much to remove the Ambassador’s doubts. They read as follows: “Plan of Colombia on Debt Approved—United States State Department, Loan Agency and the Treasury Recommend Refunding”.
- Division of Current Information.↩