177-10002-10070
2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992
JFK Assassination System
Date:
8/26/201
AGENCY:
LBJ
RECORD NUMBER:
177-10002-10070
RECORD SERIES :
AGENCY FILE NUMBER:
ORIGINATOR:
FROM:
TO:
TITLE:
Identification Form
Agency Information
NSF, COUNTRY FILE, MEXICO, LOPEZ MATEOS VISIT, BOX 61
STATE
DEAN RUSK
THE PRESIDENT
Document Information
DATE:
PAGES:
02/18/1964
5
SUBJECTS:
NEED SUBJECT ASSIGNED
DOCUMENT TYPE:
CLASSIFICATION:
RESTRICTIONS:
CURRENT STATUS:
DATE OF LAST REVIEW:
OPENING CRITERIA:
MEMORANDUM
Unclassified
1B; 4
Redact
04/21/1998
v9.1
NW 50955
COMMENTS:
DOC. #10
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JLM PBM/1
February 18, 1964
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Your Meeting with President Lopez Mateos.
We do not expect to make any major political decisions
but want to give new emphasis to the friendly relations
which exsist between Mexico and the United States. These
relations are now at an all-time high. Mexico felt it had
a real friend in President Kennedy. They feel the same
relationship exsists with you but want to be reassured.
A warm Texas handshake and abrazo when you greet Lopez Mateos
at Los Angeles would symbolize the continuance of that
relationship.
We want to stress the identity of interests of our
two countries and our ability to work out in the "spirit
of El Chamizal" any problems that may arise between us.
Despite the informal atmosphere of the visit, we
should give scrupulous attention to Mexico's extreme
sensitivity on sovereign equality and Mexico's strong
desire to avoid any appearance of subservience to the
United States
Lopez Mateos speaks for the Mexican Government
and no important decision is made without his approval.
He has followed an "independent" foreign policy but
knows that good relations with us, especially in the
economic sphere, are essential to his country. At times
his foreign policy has been too independent--for
example on Cuba and in commercial and cultural rela-
tions with Communist China. But when fundamental issues
are at stake we have usually found him understanding
and willing to be helpful--controlling travel of
Castro agents, non-recognition of Red China, offering
help on Panama.
C
Lopez Mateos has chosen his successor, Gustavo DIAZ
Ordaz, who will take office in December 1964 after
elections in July. Power is therefore drifting toward
Diaz Ordaz.
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Robert M. Sayre
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2
Enclosed is a paper on points which it is suggested
you raise at the meeting, and those which it is believed
Lopez Mateos will raise.
Enclosure:
Paper on points to be
raised at meeting.
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SECRET
Dean Rusk
SECRET
MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST TO THE UNITED STATES
1. General Information and Hemisphere Relations
We desire to continue close working relations with
Mexico 
both within and outside 
the OAS and the UN.
We hope Mexico will continue to use its key political
and 
geographic position to 
help control Castro Communism.
Mexico is very 
sensitive about publicizing its cooperation
and we have carefully avoided 
any public comment on Mexican
control measures.
Mexico has offered its assistance on Panama.
is not aware of the role of President Orlich of Costa Rica
Mexico
in mediation efforts 
and we do not desire that this come to
Mexico's attention
. We welcome Mexico's assistance within
an OAS context.
2: Red China
The coming visit of De Gaulle to Mexico and Brazil in
March 
has prompted 
speculation that these two countries
are about to 
recognize Red China. Lopez Mateos has given
us secret assurances, through CIA channels, that he has
no intention of 
recognizing Red China. We do not desire
to raise this issue, but 
if Lopez Mateos raises it, we
should let him know we 
are aware of his assurances.
3.
Mexico's Role in the Alliance for Progress
Mexico's participation in the Alliance is essential
to its 
success. 
Mexico has played a leading role in IA-
ECOSOC and has named the Director 
General of the Bank of
Mexico as 
its representative to CIAP. It has cooperated
with us in providing 
extensive training facilities for
Latin American technicians
. We want to encourage Mexico to
make a greater 
contribution. Mexico is making renewed efforts
to promote private 
enterprise and we also want to encourage
Mexico along this line. We 
should continue to cooperate
with Mexico in maintaining 
financial stability and promoting
economic development.
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4.
Disputed Tracts on Rio Grande
There remain several tracts on the Rio Grande over
which sovereignty is in dispute. We desire to have the
International Boundary and Water Commission study these
problems and recommend a solution.
5. Control of Narcotics
Mexico and the United States are cooperating in
controlling the importation of narcotics and dangerous
drugs into the United States. We should strengthen this
cooperation in the mutual interest of both countries.
We
: hope therefore that Mexico will agree to periodic meetings
of the highest law enforcement officers of the two countries.
6°
Desalinization Plant at Tijuana
We
An appraisal report by Interior shows that this is
the most economical way to supply water to Tijuana.
are prepared to go ahead with a feasibility study if
Mexico desire and will share the cost.
MAJOR POINTS LOPEZ MATEOS IS EXPECTED TO RAISE
1.
Salinity Problem on Lower Colorado
The Mexican President wants a reaffirmation of
President Kennedy's commitment "to reach a permanent and
effective solution at the earliest possible time" of the
salinity problem. We can agree but should avoid any commit-
ment on timing. If Lopez Mateos raises the related problem
of the groundwater recovery program at Yuma, we agree that
the Boundary Commission should study the problem. Farmers
in the lower Rio Grande Valley are seriously concerned
about saline drainage discharged to the river by Mexico and
want the Boundary Commission to achieve an early solution to
this problem.
SECRET
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Bagre
re (new)
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2.
Bracero Program
SECRET
The Mexican Government is privately seriously
disturbed about the termination of this program.
Congressional oppostion to it is strong and we cannot
commit ourselves to continue the program. We are looking
into the problem to see if anything can be done to help
Mexico. One possibility is an expanded community develop-
ment program in Mexico through private channels (P.L. 480
foodstuffs through U.S. voluntary agencies) if Mexico is
interested.
3. Mexico's Concern about U.S. Trade Policies
Mexico is concerned about United States restrictions
or threatened restrictions on textiles, lead, zinc and
meat and other products and United States cotton policies
which it claims hurt Mexican cotton exports to the world
market. We recognize that we are natural markets for
each other. We desire to expand trade, promote competi-
tion and develop markets. We want to maintain or expand the
present level of access to each other's market but we would
not be able to guarantee Mexico its present share of our
market in each commodity or a share in increased consumption.
4. Chamizal Settlement
Lopez Mateos wants to be recorded in history as the
mạn who returned the Mexican flag to the Chamizal. He
wants a ceremony at the Presidential level at El Paso-
Ciudad Juarez before December 1964 to symbolize the Chamizal
settlement. We should only agree to consult later in the
year on an appropriate ceremony and a possible date.
SECRET
Drafted by:
ARA: MEX:RMSayre
Cleared by:
ARA Mr. Mann
Interior
Labor
Treasury
Mr. Carr
Mr. Lanning
Mr. Goodwin
Mr. Giordano
E - Mr. Johnson
FE Mr. Green
L - Mr. Kearney
S/S-S Hawthorne Mills, Room 7239A, Ext. 6958
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