of Panama, calls this act of self-defense within the boundaries of the Canal Zone an act of aggression.

I mention these facts, as they are reported to me, not as a complete account of these unhappy events but only to show that, instead of aggression by the United States against Panama, the fact is that only the minimum measures have been taken to insure the safety of the zone and its inhabitants.

Moreover, it was the United States that proposed that the InterAmerican Peace Commission should move at once to ascertain the facts. We were pleased that the Panamanian Government agreed that this would be the proper step. There is, I am informed, very good cooperation between the Panamanian National Guard and the United States forces, both in controlling sniping and in safeguarding the lives of American citizens.

Looking beyond this tragic day, Mr. President, it is our earnest hope that this episode will constitute only a temporary obstacle in the continuing development of friendly relations between my country and the Republic of Panama. The way to resolve differences, as the Presidents of our two Republics have agreed, is not by violence but by peaceful means. We are ready through direct discussions with the Panamanian Government to try to resolve such differences as may exist. And, indeed, I am advised that the Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs and the Secretary of the United States Army [Cyrus R. Vance] have met with the President of Panama this very evening,

Mr. President, we might well, given these circumstances, ask ourselves what the Security Council itself should do with this problem. I believe there will be general agreement around this table that, in view of the fact that the Inter-American Peace Commission is about to leave for Panama, the problem should continue to be pursued in the regional forum which was established precisely to deal with situations arising among states in the Western Hemisphere.

The United Nations Charter, both in article 33 and in article 52,17 provides for pacific settlement of local disputes through regional agencies as does the Charter of the Organization of American States in article 20.18 Without derogating from the responsibilities of the Council, we believe that such local disputes can most effectively be dealt with through regional procedures. The decisive and rapid action of the Organization of American States this afternoon indeed shows that this is the case.

I would conclude merely by saying once more how deeply my Government regrets that such a tragic incident has taken place to mar the cordial relations with a good neighbor. There is no question about the old affinity of the people of my country for the people of Panama, and I am confident that transcending this one unhappy chapter there

"Text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. I, pp. 134-161.

18

Text in A Decade of American Foreign Policy: Basic Documents, 1941–49, pp. 427-445.

will be a progressive development of cordial relations between our two Governments.

The United States-Panamanian treaty of friendship and coopera tion of 1936 defined the overriding goal of our relations as "a perfect, firm and inviolable peace and sincere friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Panama and between their citizens." 19

Mr. President, my Government continues unreservedly to adhere to that goal.20

Document III-46

Suggestion by the Inter-American Peace Committee of the Creation of a Joint Cooperation Committee: LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PEACE COMMITTEE (TEJERA PARIS) TO THE U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ON THE INTER-AMERICAN PEACE COMMITTEE (MARTIN), JANUARY 12, 1964 21

The Inter-American Peace Committee, over which I have the honor of presiding, has received from the Governments of the United States and Panama, assurances that they will intensify their efforts to maintain order within their respective jurisdictions, in the Canal Zone and the Republic of Panama, particularly in the areas contiguous to the boundary line.

To facilitate that objective, I point out the necessity of paying special attention to those places which, while located in the Canal Zone, remain subject to the vigilance of the National Guard of Panama, and which will require special measures.

This Committee suggests the creation of a Joint Cooperation Committee. It would have the specific purpose of ascertaining the problems which might arise in the execution of the task of maintaining order, and it would agree upon measures to prevent and resolve any interruption of the same. It would also designate the places that will be subject to the vigilance of the National Guard of Panama as mentioned in paragraph 2 of this note. The Joint Cooperation Committee would be made up of a civilian and military representative on behalf of each one of the Governments. They would work together with a representative of the Inter-American Peace Committee who will be the president.

19 53 Stat. 1807.

20 After statements by other members of the Security Council, the Council adopted a proposal by the Representative of Brazil (Bernardes) that the President of the Security Council address an appeal to the Governments of the United States and Panama to bring about a cease-fire and that bloodshed should stop. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that the question remained on the agenda of the Security Council (U.N. doc. S/PV.1086, p. 19).

21

Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 3, 1964, p. 155. The Peace Committee was in Panama City, Panama.

...

I beg Your Excellency to advise me of the acquiescence of your illustrious Government and, at your convenience, to advise me of the names of your representatives.

Said Joint Cooperation Committee will go into session as soon as the favorable replies of both Governments are received and their representatives are designated. Please receive, Excellency, the expression of my highest consideration.

Document III-47

Acceptance by the United States of the Proposal To Establish a Joint Cooperation Committee: LETTER FROM THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS (MANN) TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PEACE COMMITTEE (TEJERA PARIS), JANUARY 13, 1964 22

Thank you for your letter relating the proposal of the Inter-American Peace Commission, of which you are chairman, to set up a committee for dealing with the public order aspects of the present emergency.23 On behalf of the United States Government, I accept the proposal to set up such a committee and nominate Mr. William Belton and Brigadier General George L. Mabry, Jr., to serve as the U.S. members.

In doing so, I wish to state that the United States is pleased to continue to cooperate with, and has in fact already invited the cooperation of, the Panamanian authorities for dealing with the problems of public order in certain areas calling for special vigilance.

With respect to the arrangements mentioned in the second paragraph of your letter it is our understanding:

1. Such arrangements in no way change the jurisdiction of either the Government of the Canal Zone or the Panama Government. 2. They are only for the duration of the present emergency.

3. These arrangements will apply to 4th of July Avenue, and its extension as Kennedy Avenue, and Shaler Triangle; and in Colon, part of Eleventh Street, part of Bolivar Avenue; part of Calle 14; part of Avenida Herrera and Boundary Street, and the Colon Cor ridor, all of which areas are public thoroughfares or gathering places directly adjacent to heavily populated areas of Panamá or the Canal Zone.

4. The areas mentioned in the last preceding paragraph can only be extended by unanimous agreement of the joint committee.

It would be helpful to my Government if you could confirm to me in writing that the above arrangements are consistent with the views of the Inter-American Peace Commission.

Ibid., Feb. 3, 1964, pp. 155–156. Assistant Secretary Mann wrote from the Canal Zone.

* Supra.

.I

1

Document III-48

"The President Continues To Believe That the First Essential [in the Situation in Panama] Is the Maintenance of Peace": STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE WHITE HOUSE, JANUARY 14, 1964 24

The President received a full report on the situation in Panama from Mr. Mann.25 Mr. Mann emphasized that United States forces have behaved admirably under extreme provocation by mobs and snipers attacking the Canal Zone. The President continues to believe that the first essential is the maintenance of peace. For this reason, the United States welcomes the establishment of the Joint Cooperation Committee through the Inter-American Peace Committee.26

The United States tries to live by the policy of the good neighbor and expect others to do the same. The United States cannot allow the security of the Panama Canal to be imperiled. We have a recognized obligation to operate the Canal efficiently and securely. And we intend to honor that obligation in the interests of all who depend on it. The United States continues to believe that when order is fully restored it should be possible to have direct and candid discussions between the two governments.

Document III-49

"[The United States and Panama] Have Agreed... To Begin Discussions... Thirty Days After Diplomatic Relations Are Reestablished": COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY THE INTER-AMERICAN PEACE COMMITTEE, JANUARY 15, 1964 27

The Inter-American Peace Committee, based on its statutes which authorize it to offer its good offices to the states requesting them, has carried on conversations with representatives of the Republic of Panama and the United States and notes with satisfaction the re-establishment of peace which is an indispensable condition for understanding and negotiation between the parties.

28

As a consequence, the Inter-American Peace Committee has invited the parties to re-establish their diplomatic relations as quickly as possible.29 The parties have agreed to accept this invitation and as a

24 Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 3, 1964, p. 156. The statement was read to news correspondents by Andrew Hatcher, Associate Press Secretary to the President.

25 Assistant Secretary of State Mann had gone to Panama at President Johnson's request; see ante, doc. III-41.

27 Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 3, 1964, p. 156. The communiqué was issued in Panama City.

Action by Panamanian and American authorities had restored order within 5 days after the disturbances began. Deaths totaled 27 and injuries over 400. 29 See footnote 6 to doc. III-43, ante.

consequence thereof have agreed to begin discussions 30 which will be initiated thirty days after diplomatic relations are re-established by means of representatives who will have sufficient powers to discuss 31 without limitations all existing matters of any nature which may affect the relations between the United States and Panama.

Document III-50

"The United States Government Is Ready and Willing To Discuss All Problems Affecting the Relationship Between the United States and Panama": STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE WHITE HOUSE, JANUARY 16, 1964 32

The United States Government is ready and willing to discuss all problems affecting the relationship between the United States and Panama. It was our understanding that the Government of Panama was also willing to undertake these discussions. Our position is unchanged. We feel in this time of difficulty between the two countries that it is time for the highest exercise of responsibility by all those involved.

Document III-51

"We Have Set No Preconditions to the Resumption of Peaceful Discussions [With Panama]": STATEMENT READ BY THE PRESIDENT (JOHNSON) AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, JANUARY 23, 1964 33

I want to take this opportunity to restate our position on Panama and the Canal Zone. No purpose is served by rehashing either recent or ancient events. There have been excesses and errors on the part of both Americans and Panamanians. Earlier this month actions of imprudent students from both countries played into the hands of agitators seeking to divide us. What followed was a needless and tragic loss of life on both sides.

Our own forces were confronted with sniper fire and mob attack. Their role was one of resisting aggression and not committing it. At all times they remained inside the Canal Zone, and they took only those

*The phrase "agreed to begin discussions" appeared as "agreed to begin formal discussions" in the English version of the press release of the InterAmerican Peace Committee (S/5520). The Spanish version used the phrase "negociaciones formales" (ibid.).

In the Spanish text of the press release, the verb "negociar," which can mean either "to discuss" or "to negotiate," was used here. President Chiari publicly announced that the United States had agreed to renegotiate the 1903 treaty, but the United States position was that it had no intention of prejudging any issue or of agreeing to any preconditions. Because of these disagreements, diplomatic relations were not reestablished until April; see post, docs. III–62–63. Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 3, 1964, pp. 156-157. The statement was read to news correspondents by Pierre Salinger, Press Secretary to the President. For background, see supra. ~

33 Ibid., Feb. 10, 1964, pp. 195–196.