the unveiling of a statue of Abraham Lincoln provided an opportunity to renew their cordial personal relationship and to resume their informal conversations begun during their meeting in November 1964.83 The two Chiefs of State, conscious of the significance of the principles for which Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln both fought, have reiterated in their respective nations their adherence to freedom, human dignity, and a mutual respect among peoples. These principles are the basis of democratic life. The Presidents expressed their conviction that these also constitute the foundation of the firm friendship between Mexico and the United States. The two Presidents recognized with pleasure the high level of understanding reached in the relations between their two countries in recent years. President Diaz Ordaz reaffirmed to President Johnson the principles of the foreign policy of Mexico, in relation with the other American Republics, which, in addition to the fundamental principles of self-determination, non-intervention, and peaceful solution of controversies, include the need for maintaining constantly open the doors to dialogue. President Johnson reviewed with President Diaz Ordaz a number of problems of worldwide importance, and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to the same fundamental principles, as well as its commitment to a continuing search for peace throughout the world. The two Heads of State reiterated the general opinion expressed in previous meetings of the Presidents of Mexico and the United States that it is in the interest of both countries to seek to maintain the access which each has to the markets of the other and to broaden these wherever possible. The Joint Trade Committee established in 1965 was discussed by both Presidents as a major step forward in expanding the already large area of mutual interests which exist between the two countries in matters of commercial interchange." See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1964, p. 344. See ibid., 1965, pp. 1011-1012. The Second Meeting of the Mexican-U.S. Trade Committee was held in Mexico City from Dec. 15-17, 1966. For the text of the joint communiqué, issued Dec. 21, 1966, see Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 9, 1967, pp. 70–71. Specific problems involving border trade between the two countries were mentioned by President Diaz Ordaz. The two Presidents agreed that their two Governments should study these problems with the aim of determining what measures could be taken to expand legitimate border trade in goods produced in both countries to the benefit of the border region. The two Presidents discussed their deep concern regarding the international market for cotton, which is the leading Mexican export product and is also of great interest to the United States and to other Western hemisphere countries. The Presidents agreed that their two Governments should consult with each other and with other interested governments on the problems of production and marketing of cotton. Regarding the International Cotton Institute, created for the purpose of promoting the increase in cotton consumption, both Heads of State expressed their determination to continue the support of their Governments for the greater success of its mission. 85 President Diaz Ordaz reaffirmed his intention to continue the policy of promoting the economic development of Mexico at a rate substantially greater than the population increase, within a framework of monetary stability, which is so important in protecting the real income of the majority of the people. The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the increasing rate of economic and social progress in the hemisphere as a whole during the past two years and expressed their determination to continue their mutual cooperation to achieve the objectives of the Act of Bogotá of 1960," the Charter of Punta del Este of 1961,6 and the Economic and Social Act of Rio de Janeiro of 1965.88 67 The two Presidents expressed their determination to improve the relations between the frontier cities of both countries, and to elevate the life of those who live in the border region. They agreed to create a commission which would study the manner in which these objectives could be realized by cooperative action to raise the standard of living of the respective communities, from a social and cultural as well as a material point of view.89 The two Presidents expressed their determination to create an Abraham Lincoln Fund in Mexico and a Benito Juarez Fund in the United States in order to grant scholarships to the youth of the hemisphere who might be selected by a Joint Commission in order to continue their studies in institutions of higher learning of both countries. The two Presidents agreed on the need to support the efforts for Latin American economic integration. President Diaz Ordaz expressed his satisfaction with the recent initiative of President Johnson in suggesting the creation of a special fund for the financing of pre-investment studies of multi-national projects in support of regional integration." Both Presidents expressed their satisfaction that this work is moving forward under the leadership of the Inter-American Committee on the Alliance for Progress (CIAP) with the active participation of the Inter-American Development Bank. They also noted with satisfaction the progress being made toward integration through the work of the Latin American Free Trade Association and the Central American Common Market. The two Presidents were pleased to note the progress achieved in the acquisition of lands, the transfer of residents and the construction of installations provided for in the convention for the solution of the Chamizal problem." They agreed to instruct the members of the International Boundary and Water Commission to intensify their efforts to bring about the change in the boundary as soon as possible. 8 By an exchange of notes on Nov. 30 and Dec. 3, 1966, a Joint Commission To Study Economic and Social Development of the Border Area was created (TIAS 6171; 17 UST 2285). 90 See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1965, pp. 1028-1032. 01 See ibid., 1964, p. 340. The two Presidents expressed their satisfaction at the manner in which the agreement reached on March 22, 1965, regarding the problem of the salinity of the waters of the Colorado River, is operating." They were in agreement regarding the need for mutual consultation before proceeding to carry out works which in the future might create problems of a nature similar to that mentioned previously. The two Presidents agreed on the importance for their countries of the study which, under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is being carried out to determine the technical and economic possibilities of installing, at some point in Mexico near the United States border, a plant to desalinate sea water through the use of nuclear energy." 93 Finally, the two Presidents requested their respective Foreign Secretaries to continue their discussion of matters of common interest. President Diaz Ordaz expressed to President Johnson the deep gratitude of the Mexican people to the American people for the gift of the statue of Abraham Lincoln and reaffirmed that he considered it a most friendly act that the Chief of State of the United States should have desired to come in person to associate himself with the homage rendered to the Great Emancipator. President Johnson expressed his appreciation for the extraordinarily generous and friendly reception by the Mexican Government and people. Document III-28 Statement Made by the President (Johnson) on Signing P.L. 89-584, September 19, 1966 94 Authorization for a I proudly sign legislation authorizing a joint project with our sister 92 See ibid., 1965, pp. 1010-1011. 93 See ibid., pp. 1164-1166. Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 31, 1966, pp. 686-687. Republic of Mexico for the solution of the salinity problem in the lower Rio Grande. 93 This is another example of how good neighbors solve common problems. Within the past few years, our two countries have already resolved the Chamizal border dispute at El Paso and have taken measures to resolve the salinity problem on the Colorado River." Now we will undertake a new joint effort on the salinity problem of the lower Rio Grande. Today the saline waters of the lower Rio Grande prevent attaining the potential abundance of over 1 million acres of fertile land on both sides of the border. We cannot afford this needless waste. We need not. The peoples of the United States and Mexico have united in a joint venture to develop the border together. The International Boundary and Water Commission, made up of representatives from the two countries, was created to resolve common problems and to help develop fully the bountiful resources on both sides of the border. This organization has proposed a canal to convey practically all the saline waters from a Mexican irrigation district-now reaching the lower Rio Grande directly to the Gulf of Mexico. That proposal is embodied in the legislation I am about to sign. Once this project is completed, the brackish waters will no longer damage seedlings, citrus fruits, and vegetables. That water will be conveyed directly to the sea. The Rio Grande will again become free from harmful concentration of salts so damaging to agriculture on both sides of the border. In this spirit of cooperative endeavor both countries will share equally in the cost of the international project. Each will contribute $690,000. Also, local people in the United States 93 80 Stat. 808. See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1964, pp. 340, 344, 1351-1352. See ibid., 1965, pp. 1010–1011. Western Hemisphere Developments benefiting most directly from this project will share equally with their Government in paying for it. They have already raised and deposited in the Treasury nearly 90 percent of their share. I commend these fine people for their initiative, cooperation, and confidence. I also commend the many Members of Congress who have made this project a reality. I especially commend my friends from Texas, Senator [Ralph W.] Yarborough and Congressman [Eligio] de la Garza, who so effectively sponsored it. I am informing my very good friend President Diaz Ordaz of Mexico of the favorable action by the Congress." We jointly announced last December the recommendation of the International Boundary and Water Commission for the solution of this problem." Today we can both rejoice that the solution will soon become a reality. Document III-29 Joint Statement Issued at Austin, Texas, by the President of the United States (Johnson) and the President of Mexico (Diaz Ordaz), December 3, 1966 Satisfactory Progress of Text in the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1967, p. 13. The two Presidents visited together the site of the joint project being constructed near Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, under the terms of the Treaty of 1944 (59 Stat. 1219). The dam was intended to control the flow of water to the benefit of both countries and was scheduled for completion in the spring of 1969. 98 See Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 31. 1966, p. 687. 99 See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1965, p. 1012. [Doc. III-291 271 |