558



FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1942, VOLUME VI



-As you know, representatives of the Department recently attended
a meeting in El Paso of representatives of the seven Colorado River
Basin States to explore the possibilities of allocation of Colorado
River waters to Mexico. A further meeting between representatives
of the Department and of the Basin States will be held in El Paso
next week. The Department hopes to be in a position shortly after
that meeting to resume discussions with you on this question.
  I am, my dear Mr. Ambassador, with kindest personal regards,
      Very sincerely yours,                   LAURENCE DIUGGAN


711.1216M/2074
Memorandum   of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division
              of the American Republics (Bursley)

                                  [WASHINGTON)] August 15, 1942.
Participants: Senfor Dr. Don Francisco Castillo Najera, Mexican
                Ambassador;
              PA/LD-Mr. Duggan;
              RA-Mr. Bursley.
  The Mexican Ambassador called at Mr. Duggan's request.
  Mr. Duggan stated that the Department had been giving continued
attention to the question of allocation of Colorado River waters and
that, in addition to various studies which had been made, representa-
tives of the Department had attended two meetings in El Paso of the
Committees of the Colorado River Basin States.
  Mr. Duggan then said that during the past few days very long
conferences had been held here in which Mr. Lawson and several
representatives of the Basin had participated. Mr. Duggan said that
despite all the data which had been assembled it still appeared that
we were not quite in a position to resume discussions with the Am-
bassador at this end without obtaining some further technical in-
formation and for this reason he suggested a meeting at El Paso on
August 31 to be attended by the American and Mexican Boundary
Commissioners, oine or two representatives of the Basin States and
such technical experts as the Mexican Government might designate.
It is desired that at this meeting there be a factual exploration of
the places where Mexico would want water delivered in order that
our engineers might be able to determine where canals, dams and
other structures would be necessary and other technical aspects be
explored informally.
  This proposal seemed satisfactory to the Ambassador who stated
he would communicate with his Government promptly and inform
us of its decision.
                                             HERBERT S. BuRSLEY