DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
Date: May 22, 1951
Subject: First Call of the Ambassador-designate of Colombia
Participants: The Secretary The Ambassador-designate of Colombia Senor Dr. Jorge Mejia-Palacio, Minister Counselor, Embassy of Colombia John F. Simmons, Chief of Protocol
Copies to: S S/S S/S-PR ARA OSA
His Excellency Senor Dr. Don Cipriano Restrepo Jaramillo, newly appointed Ambassador of Colombia, called on me today at 12:30 p.m. to present copies of his credentials and to request an appointment with the President.
After the usual exchange of courtesies, the Ambassador expressed his pleasure at returning in his new capacity to the United States, where he had previously spent short portions of his life. He promised the fullest collaboration in all matters affecting our two countries, stressing his wish that everything should be done to bolster and improve mutual understanding between the peoples of our two countries.
I told the Ambassador that I was very pleased to welcome him in his capacity as Ambassador to Washington. I said that his arrival here occurred under particularly favorable auspices, since I had already formed, through recent association, a high opinion both of his predecessor and of his brother, who was recently here in his capacity as Foreign Minister of Colombia. I added that I already heard fine reports about him, both as an outstanding representative of his country and as a good "negotiator." I assured him of my support and of my willingness to discuss with him in the future all matters of mutual interest.
No matters of a political nature were discussed.
S/S - PR:JFSimmons:jjm