477-10002-10070 JFK Assassination System Date: 8/26/201 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY:  LBJ RECORD NUMBER: _ 177-10002-10070 RECORD SERIES: NSF, COUNTRY FILE, MEXICO, LOPEZ MATEOS VISIT, BOX 61 AGENCY FILE NUMBER : Document Information ORIGINATOR: STATE FROM: DEAN RUSK TO: THE PRESIDENT TITLE: DATE: 02/18/1964 PAGES: 5 SUBJECTS : NEED SUBJECT ASSIGNED DOCUMENT TYPE: MEMORANDUM CLASSIFICATION: — Unclassified RESTRICTIONS: 1B; 4 ; CURRENT STATUS: = Redact DATE OF LASTREVIEW: — 04/21/1998 OPENING CRITERIA : r COMMENTS : DOC. #10 v9.1 ; li HW 50955 DBocld: 32205111 Page 1
JLM - PBM/1 a oO February 18, 1964 2 . Subject: Your Meeting with President Lopez Mateos -2"\ — MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT ~“ 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. oo, . TBE! 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 © So ne nan ~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 37 are at stake we have usually found him understandini and willing to be helpful--controlling travel of Castro’ agents, non-recognition of Red China, offering help on Panama. ES '..., 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,. - SECRET Group 2 Exempted from automatic downgrading by: Robert M. Sayre HW 50955 DBocld: 322705111 Page ?
f SECRET ~9- 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. Dean Rusk Enclosure: ‘Paper on points to be raised at meeting. HW 50955 DBocld:322705111 Page 3
Sos ue gpm os MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST. TO THE UNITED STATES ly General Information and Hemisphere Relations  We-desi¢e: to continue close working relations. with Mexico both within and outside the OAS and the UN... . “S,) We hope ‘Mexico will ‘continues use its key political .and geographic position to help control Castro Communism. Mexico is ver Sensitive about publicizing its: cooperation control measures. ures Mexico has offered its assistance on Panama. Mexico is not aware of the role of President Orlich of Costa Rica in mediation efforts and we do not desire that this come to Mexico's attention. We welcome Mexico's assistance within an OAS context. , ae 2s Red China’ : The coming visit of De Gaulle to Mexico and Brazil. in March has prompted speculation that! these two countriés are about to recognize Red China. “Lon teos has given us Secret assurances, that he has | no intention of recognrzit ina. We do not desire to raise this issue, but if Lopez Mateos raises it, we shou et him know we are aware of nis 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 Directer 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. Co SECRET Group 2 Exempted from automatic downgrading u HW 50955 DBocld: 322705111 Page 4
HW 450955 SECRET => 4. Disputed Tracts on Rio Grande There remain several tracts on the Rio Grande over which sovereignty is in dispute. We desire to havé 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 eriforcement officers of the two countries. 6. Desalinizgation Plant at Tijuana An appraisal report by Interior shows that this is the most economical way to supply water to Tijuana. We 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 o£ 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 solvtion. to this problem. SECRET . Group 2 Exempted from automatic downgrading By Ketiont te. faye (Vic) J | Docld: 32205111 Page 5
HW 50955 SECRET 2. Bracero Program 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 thepro anything can be done to help Mexico. One possibility is an expanded community develop- ment program in Mexico through private channels (P.L. 430 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 4, Chamizal Settlement Lopez Mateos wants to be recorded in history as the man who returned «Se Mexican flag to the Chamizal. He wants a ceremony gt 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 an an appropriate ceremony and a possible date. SECRET Drafted by: Cleared by: . ~ : ARA:MEX:RMSayre ARA - Mr. Mann Interior - Mr. Carr Mr. Lanning Labor - Mr. Goodwin : Treasury - Mr. Giordano : E - Mr. Johnson : FE - Mr. Green weed $0 ty a Bh eabiye mere Tin Ree om Ey SADT -_S/S-S Hawthorne Mills, Room 7239A, Ext. 6958 a BD OB PS BP gta 8 ae PP om Ow Docta: 32305111 Page 6