DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: September 30, 1952
SUBJECT: Mexican Air Agreement
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Mr. George Baker Mr. Barringer - TRC
COPIES TO: U ARA - Mr. Mann E - Mr. Linder S/S AV TRC
Pursuant to understandings with the President on September 22 and 25, Mr. Acheson spoke to Mr. George Baker today to enlist his assistance in the negotiation with Mexico for an air transport agreement.
The Secretary reviewed the present situation and the recent events which led to his conclusion that a negotiation was unavoidable and that this country's best interests would be served by the negotiation being conducted by Mr. Baker. The Secretary summarized his conversation with Mr. David Stowe on Saturday afternoon, September 27, in which he stated finally that he did not believe it desirable to have these negotiations conducted solely by the United States Ambassador to Mexico, and that he fully intended to obtain the assistance of an independent proven negotiator in this complex field, such as Mr. Baker.
Mr. Baker indicted his sincere desire to assist the Secretary and the Department in this matter, and showed a real appreciation of the issues involved. However, he felt that both he and the Department should consider thoroughly the possible unfavorable comment that might in the future arise from the fact that he was retained on an indefinite basis by Trans World Airlines, which company, though not interested in commercial aviation between this country and Mexico, was however, the prime competitor of Pan American Airways in the North Atlantic, Near and Middle East areas. Consequently, it was conceivable that Pan American might, if it felt adversely affected by the negotiation, publicly raise an issue of
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prejudice. The Secretary assured Mr. Baker that we would consider this circumstance* and, on his part, he consider consulting Mr. Juan Trippe, President of Pan American Airways, to forestall possible unfavorable future comment.
Mr. Baker also felt that it would be necessary for him to speak to the Dean of Harvard University and to Mr. Damon, President of TWA, before accepting this assignment. He will telephone Mr. Barringer on Thursday, October 2.
The Secretary further asked Mr. Baker to be present at a meeting with the President on this subject, scheduled for Sunday morning, October 12.
*Note: Memorandum to S from E-Mr. Linder, dated October 1, recommends that this circumstance not deter the Department in enlisting Mr. Baker's help and that Under Secretary Bruce might also telephone Mr. Trippe to forestall later unjust but unfavorable comment.
The second recommendation in this memorandum and a similar one dated October 3 were disapproved by the Secretary on the basis that final decision on how to use Mr. Baker and any announcement thereof should await the meeting with the President on October 12. Consequently, neither Mr. Baker nor the Department have talked to Mr. Trippe or to Mr. Smith, American Airlines.
TRC:JPBarringer, ao'r 10/6/52