friendly discussions and the subsequent implementation of specific measures agreed upon by representatives of the two Governments. My Government recognizes that differences will inevitably arise between even the friendliest nations, and believes that these differences must be discussed thoroughly and frankly, in order to clarify the interests and attitudes of both parties. It seems clear, therefore, that when two friendly nations are bound by treaty provisions which are not fully satisfactory to one of the parties, arrangements should be made to permit qualified representatives of both nations to discuss these points of dissatisfaction with a view to their resolution.

I have instructed the various responsible Departments and agencies of the United States Government to make a complete re-examination of our current and future needs with respect to Isthmian Canal facilities. I expect this study to be completed within a very few months, at which time my Government will communicate promptly with the Government of Panama.

I am confident that representatives of our two Governments, after a frank exchange of views and a careful assessment of our mutual needs and interests, can reach fruitful conclusions which will promote the mutual welfare of both countries.

THE FEDERATION OF THE WEST INDIES

UNITED STATES DEFENSE AREAS IN THE FEDERATION OF THE WEST INDIES: Agreement Signed at Port-of-Spain by Representatives of the United States and the Federation of the West Indies, February 10, 1961 10

UNITED STATES INTENTION "TO ESTABLISH A MISSION ACCREDITED TO THE FEDERATION OF THE WEST INDIES": Announcement Issued by the White House, May 12, 1961 11

10 TIAS 4734; 12 UST 408. The agreement entered into force on date of sig nature. See also American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, p. 276; the Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 27, 1961, p. 311; ibid., Mar. 6, 1961, pp. 350-351; and ibid., Mar. 27, 1961, p. 465.

11

White House press release dated May 12, 1961; summary in the Department of State Bulletin, June 5, 1961, p. 897. The U.S. Consulate General in Port-ofSpain was raised to a Mission July 17, 1961.

C. The Alliance for Progress and Related Developments

130. ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE ON LATIN AMERICA: Announcement Made by the Director of the Office of News (White), Department of State, January 31, 1961 1

1

A new interdepartmental Task Force on Latin America, under the leadership of the Department of State, has been established to consider and coordinate policies and action with respect to measures for economic and social development, maintenance of peace, and handling of related matters in the inter-American area.

The membership of the Task Force is as follows:

Adolf A. Berle, chairman, Department of State

Theodore C. Achilles, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, Department of State

Thomas C. Mann, Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs, Department of State

John M. Leddy, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of the Treasury

Lincoln Gordon, consultant, Harvard University

Haydn Williams, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, Department of Defense

Representatives of other departments and agencies are to be added as specific situations require.

131. UNITED STATES INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LATIN AMERICA: Statement Read by the Secretary of State (Rusk) at a News Conference, February 6, 1961 2

Perhaps I might make a comment on our interest in development in Latin America. Because of the importance-and we shall have copies of these, I think, at the close-because of the importance we attach to Latin America, I should like to give you some of our thoughts on our approach to its problems. Perhaps my remarks will answer some of your questions about what we are trying to do in this field.

The problem in any consideration of Latin America is the tragedy exemplified by the recent history of Cuba; the earlier neglect of the aspirations of the Cuban people and the recent imposition of an alien ideology which is seeking to extend its dictatorial system to all of Latin America are parts of that tragedy. The peoples of Latin America have great and growing aspirations. I am confident that

'Files of the Office of News, Department of State; modified version in the Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 27, 1961, p. 298.

'The statement printed here is taken from pp. 297-299 of the Department of State Bulletin, Feb. 27, 1961 (reprint of Department of State press release No. 57).

they realize, as we do, that their aspirations can best and most rapidly be fulfilled through a system based upon freedom. There can be no doubt that the Latin American nations wish to maintain their independence of foreign domination.

The orderly progress in the solution of the basic economic problems of the hemisphere will be enhanced by the growth in the American Republics of the type of institutions which flourish under representative democracy. We are prepared to cooperate actively with the other American states to end tyranny, whether of the left or right, and to strengthen the economic and social bases of democracy. We are encouraged by the growing realization of the dangers of accepting the alien answer and of the need for a cooperative approach to the issues. These are hemispheric problems, and they require a hemispheric solution.

The efforts of the Latin Americans to mobilize their own material and human resources are essential to the success of the cooperative effort called for under the far-reaching new commitments of the Act of Bogotá. President Kennedy has recommended that the United States Congress appropriate $500 million as evidence of the deep concern of the United States and a manifestation of our willingness to cooperate in this self-help effort of the Latin American Republics.* Moreover, we will continue to assist the economic development efforts of our sister Republics of the hemisphere with technical assistance and capital investment.

The resources, both human and material, which the inter-American community can bring to bear on the development of this hemisphere are immense. While substantial amounts of what is commonly called "aid" will be necessary, we think of the problem less as one of aid than of accelerated development. What we are seeking is a major cooperative effort of all of the Americas to accelerate economic and social development to meet the legitimate aspirations of millions of people for opportunity to share in a better life-through mobilization of all resources, domestic and foreign, public and private, which can be made. available for this purpose. Among the most promising activities is the growing scientific and technical exchange among the Latin American countries themselves.

We are in the fortunate position of having in existence a number of agencies already experienced in meeting various aspects of this problem. In addition to the international agencies, particularly the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, our own ExportImport Bank, International Cooperation Administration, Development Loan Fund, Department of Agriculture, and other Federal agencies, as well as private foundations, voluntary groups, and business enterprises, are all making a substantial contribution toward the economic and social well-being of the hemisphere. However, in the new cooperative approach toward the self-help efforts called for by the Act of Bogotá, the uniquely inter-American agencies-the Inter

3

Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, pp. 293–299. 4 See ante, doc. 4.

American Development Bank, the Inter-American Economic and Social Council, the Pan American Sanitary [Health] Organization, and specialized agencies of the Organization of American States-are expected to play an increasingly important role. Full and coordinated use must be made of the knowledge, experience, and facilities of all of the agencies available.

The importance which this administration attaches to these and other hemispheric problems is reflected by the establishment of the special Interdepartmental Task Force under the leadership of Mr. Adolf Berle. It will be the work of this especially well-qualified group to give intensive attention to the problems of the area in order that they can be translated into opportunities for constructive action. And of course our efforts in this area are affected by the work which is now going on to consider ways and means of reorganizing and rationalizing our various aid and investment programs in the interest of maximum effective efficiency.

MEASURES TAKEN TO STEP UP FOOD-FOR-PEACE PROGRAMS IN LATIN AMERICA-ADJUSTMENT OF UNITED STATES AND ARGENTINE EXPORTS TO BRAZILIAN CONSUMPTION: Announcement Issued by the White House, February 8, 1961 €

132. ALIANZA PARA PROGRESO: Address by the President (Kennedy) at a White House Reception for Latin American Diplomats and Members of Congress, March 13, 1961 (Excerpt)?

Throughout Latin America-a continent rich in resources and in the spiritual and cultural achievements of its people-millions of men. and women suffer the daily degradations of hunger and poverty. They lack decent shelter or protection from disease. Their children are deprived of the education or the jobs which are the gateway to a better life. And each day the problems grow more urgent. Population growth is outpacing economic growth, low living standards are even further endangered, and discontent-the discontent of a people who know that abundance and the tools of progress are at last within their reach that discontent is growing. In the words of José Figueres,

'See supra.

'White House press release dated Feb. 8, 1961; the Department of State

Bulletin, Feb. 27, 1961, p. 312.

White House press release dated Mar. 13, 1961; text as delivered (Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 3, 1961, pp. 471-474).

"once dormant peoples are struggling upward toward the sun, toward a better life." s

If we are to meet a problem so staggering in its dimensions, our approach must itself be equally bold, an approach consistent with the majestic concept of Operation Pan America. Therefore I have called on all the people of the hemisphere to join in a new Alliance for Progress 10-Alianza para Progreso-a vast cooperative effort, unparalleled in magnitude and nobility of purpose, to satisfy the basic needs of the American people for homes, work and land, health and schoolstecho, trabajo y tierra, salud y escuela.

First, I propose that the American Republics begin on a vast new 10-year plan for the Americas, a plan to transform the 1960's into an historic decade of democratic progress. These 10 years will be the years of maximum progress, maximum effort-the years when the greatest obstacles must be overcome, the years when the need for assistance will be the greatest.

And if we are successful, if our effort is bold enough and determined enough, then the close of this decade will mark the beginning of a new era in the American experience. The living standards of every American family will be on the rise, basic education will be available to all. hunger will be a forgotten experience, the need for massive outside help will have passed, most nations will have entered a period of selfsustaining growth, and, although there will be still much to do, every American Republic will be the master of its own revolution and its own hope and progress.

Let me stress that only the most determined efforts of the American nations themselves can bring success to this effort. They, and they alone, can mobilize their resources, enlist the energies of their people, and modify their social patterns so that all, and not just a privileged few, share in the fruits of growth. If this effort is made, then outside assistance will give a vital impetus to progress; without it, no amount of help will advance the welfare of the people.

Thus if the countries of Latin America are ready to do their partand I am sure they are-then I believe the United States, for its part, should help provide resources of a scope and magnitude sufficient to make this bold development plan a success, just as we helped to provide, against nearly equal odds, the resources adequate to help rebuild the economies of Western Europe. For only an effort of towering dimensions can insure fulfillment of our plan for a decade of progress. Secondly, I will shortly request a ministerial meeting of the InterAmerican Economic and Social Council, a meeting at which we can begin the massive planning effort which will be at the heart of the Alliance for Progress.

11

This remark appears to have been made by the former President of Costa Rica to former Senator William Benton when the latter accompanied Governor Stevenson on his private tour of Latin America in the spring of 1960; see William Benton, The Voice of Latin America (New York, 1961), p. 14.

See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pp. 380-434. 10 See ante, doc. 3.

11 See post, docs. 145 and 146.