20. Memorandum of Conversation1
PARTICIPANTS
- Ambassador Robert Sayre
- Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker
- S. Morey Bell, ARA–LA/PAN
- R.G.M. Storey, S/AL
Ambassador Sayre made the following key points during the meeting:
1. Panama, though on the surface complaining about the presence of US bases, really accepts the fact that they must remain. The principal problem is location, i.e., the fact that the bases are located on prime real estate in downtown areas.
2. Ambassador Sayre believes, and Governor Parker agrees, that the US can relax on the jurisdictional issue by returning to Panama rights over Panamanian citizens and business activities within the Canal Zone. This subject was broached with Army Secretary Callaway who also agrees that we could relax, to some extent, US controls. Sayre does not know, however, if he and Callaway are on the same “frequency” regarding which controls and to what degree they should be relaxed. A major issue under jurisdiction which Sayre considers a particular thorn in the Panamanians’ side is that they cannot tolerate Panamanian citizens being tried in US courts on what is legally Panamanian territory.
3. Legally the United States is in a sticky position—the presence of US military forces other than those required for the defense of the Canal proper.
4. While publicly critical of US bases in general, General Torrijos takes pride in the US military schools and wants them to remain.
5. Sayre believes that Panama’s actions in the United Nations were not and are not critical. But, he feels the US is running higher risks in Panama than necessary over matters that are not essential to the US. We have an obligation to manage the treaty issue so this does not happen. It would do damage to the President domestically.
6. Sayre agrees with Ambassador Anderson’s position, outlined by Ambassador Bunker, that the Senate probably would not take favorable [Page 60] action on a full and complete treaty especially in this year and most probably not until 1975.
7. Sayre believes the best way to approach the negotiations is for Ambassador Bunker to obtain maximum authority to negotiate achievement of a new and more firm relationship with Panama, whether that is by an overall treaty, a series of agreements, or some other manner. He assumes Ambassador Bunker would begin by negotiating principles. Once obtained, he should attempt to establish with Panama the position at which both countries should be at the end of the tunnel (i.e., the concept of the new relationship) and then, finally, to work out the details as to how to get to that position. This may well require several treaties. It will also require a number of unilateral executive actions and most certainly a packet of legislation.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Ambassador Bunker’s Correspondence, Lot 78D300, Box 3, General. Confidential. Drafted by Bell and Storey. Copies were sent to Bell and Sheffey. The meeting was held in Ambassador Bunker’s office at the Department of State.↩