811.20 Defense(M)Colombia/582: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:57 p.m.]
452. Department’s telegram 292, March 10, 7 p.m. The Department’s suggestion for amendments to draft text of the proposed note have been discussed with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. With regard to numbered paragraphs 3 and 5, he indicated that no difficulty will be encountered in harmonizing the text with the suggest[ed] amendments and clarifications. On the other hand he strongly expressed hope that the Department would still see its way clear to approving the retention of paragraph 10, either in its present form or possibly amended, explaining that from the United States [Page 33] standpoint, he considered it highly desirable in order to avoid double taxation to establish specifically on behalf of non-Colombian employees the exemption from taxes which the paragraph would provide. While such exemption might be taken for granted by the national authorities, he said, complications might easily arise from the action of regional tax collectors unless the point were made clear in the note.
From the Colombian standpoint he considered it to be similarly desirable to include the second sentence of paragraph 10 to insure against the possibility of future misunderstandings on this point.
In these negotiations the Acting Minister has shown a most cooperative spirit and a desire to help in getting the strategic materials program under way. Therefore unless the Department considers the objections to paragraph 10 too strong to be waived, I should appreciate receiving early instructions to proceed with the drafting of the note with the inclusion of paragraph 10.