Diplomatic Communiques with Mexico Chronology

Foreign Relations of the United States

1906-1911

• Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1911

1911-1913

• Construction and maintenance of protective works on the Colorado River and negotiations with the Government of Mexico concerning the equitable distribution of the waters of that river
• May 3 - The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State

1921

• Proposals for regulating the distribution of the waters of the Colorado River
• Aug 2 - The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Interior (Fall)
• Oct 15 - The Mexican Embassy to the Department of State
• Oct 24 - The Mexican Embassy to the Department of State
• Oct 31 - The First Secretary of the Mexican Embassy (Tellez) to the Acting Chief of the Division of Mexican Affairs, Department of State (Hanna)
• Nov 9 - he Acting Chief of the Division of Mexican Affairs, Department of State (Hanna) to the First Secretary of the Mexican Embassy (Tellez)
• Dec 5 - The Charge in Mexico (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State
• Protest by the United States against agrarian legislation in Mexico
• Proposals looking toward the establishment of a Mixed Claims Commission

1922

• Continued protests by the United States against agrarian measures in Mexico

1923

1924

1925

• Public statement by the Secretary of State that the United States could not acquiesce in continued violations of the rights of Americans in Mexico
• Representations by the United States against Mexican agrarian and petroleum legislation

1926

• Reservation by the United States of the rights of American citizens which may be affected by the Mexican decree of April 8, 1926, regarding the restitution and dotation of waters
• Representations by the United States against Mexican agrarian and petroleum legislation
• Reservation by the United States of the rights of American citizens which may be affected by the Mexican law of colonization of April 5, 1926

1927

• Attitude of the Department of State toward proposals to arbitrate differences arising from the Mexican land and petroleum laws
• Convention between the United States and Mexico extending duration of the General Claims Commission provided for in convention of September 8, 1923, signed August 16, 1927

1928

1929

1930

1932

1933

• Convention between the United States and Mexico for the rectification of the Rio Grande in the El Paso-Juarez Valley, signed February 1, 1933, and exchanges of notes

1934

• Efforts to solve unsettled problems with respect to the rectification of the Rio Grande; reservation by the Mexican Government of its rights in the Chamizal area

1935

• Informal discussions with a view to the settlement of American agrarian claims against Mexico pending before the General Claims Commission
• Apr 12 - The Ambassador in Mexico (Daniels) to the Secretary of State
Trip to Colorado and Rio Grande to prepare for negotiations

1936

• Informal discussions with a view to the settlement of American agrarian claims against Mexico pending before the General Claims Commission

• Representations against further expropriation by the Mexican Government of lands owned by American citizens until authorization for payment be made

1937

• Representations against further expropriation by the Mexican Government of lands owned by American citizens until authorization for payment be made
• May 5 - The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera)
Colorado River Land Company compensation for seizure

1938

• Representations against further expropriation by the Mexican Government of lands owned by American citizens until authorization for payment be made and exchange of notes providing for the settlement of claims arising therefrom

1939

• Negotiations regarding proposed agreement between the United States and Mexico confirming use of waters of the lower Colorado and lower Rio Grande Rivers
• Dec 27 - The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera)
• Representations against further expropriations by the Mexican Government of lands owned by American citizens until authorization for payment be made

1940

• Negotiations regarding proposed agreement between the United States and Mexico confirming use of waters of the lower Colorado and lower Rio Grande Rivers
• Jan 19 - The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera) to the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
• Feb 15 - The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera)
• May 18 - The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera) to the Secretary of State
• Jul 19 - The Acting Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera)
• Oct 7 - The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy
Plan for Settling Outstanding Problems Now Pending Between the United States and Mexico
• Dec 16 - Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics
"it would be well to begin soon preliminary discussions relating to the question of distribution of international waters"
• Negotiations between the United States and Mexico regarding a global settlement of claims arising from Mexican land expropriations

1941

• Feb 17 - The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera) to the Secretary of State
Delivery to Mexico of an annual volume of the waters of the Colorado River determined by the proportion between the amounts now used, the urban and farm requirements existing in the valley of the river in the territory of the two countries, and the reasonable and just possibilities of extension of the said requirements in the future.

1942

• Discussions between the United States and Mexico regarding a proposed treaty on division of international waters
• Feb 11 - The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy
• Mar 19 - The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera) to the Department of State
• Mar 27 - Proposed Water Treaty distribution of Rio Grande waters
• Apr 22 - The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Najera) to the Secretary of State
• Aug 15 - Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bursley)
• Nov 4 - The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy

1943

• Negotiation of an agreement between the United States and Mexico on a division of the waters of the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers
• Feb 10 - The Charge in Mexico (Bursley) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
• Feb 11 - The Charge in Mexico (Bursley) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
"reference to the risk we might run were this matter ever submitted to international arbitration", cut in river below border
• Feb 16 - Memorandum From the Mexican Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Translation from Mexico - Distribution of the Waters of the Colorado River
• Feb 19 - The Charge in Mexico (Bursley) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
"Colorado River and the Rio Grande problems in the memorandum, if the linking goes no further. But I should think that even one step more, if it were known, would cause misunderstanding in the Lower Basin of the Colorado."
• Feb 19 - Memorandum by Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
"The clear implication that the United States may expect the same treatment in regard to the Rio Grande as Mexico receives in regard to the Colorado is not a new development but is stated more strongly than heretofore"
• Feb 22 - The Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) to the Chargé in Mexico (Bursley)
Needless to say, the Department, no less than the Mexican Foreign Office, is desirous of finding an equitable solution; but before deciding upon a formula we must know pretty definitely what the cost to the United States would be in terms of limitations upon the future of the Colorado River Basin. Mexico Arbitration threat.
• Mar 5 - Memorandum by Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics
The Deal State presented to Committee of 14/16 at Santa Fe
• Mar 15 - Memorandum by Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the Adviser on Political Relations
Conferences with Judge Stone, Mr. Tipton, and Mr. Debler, 1.25 MAF min 2 MAF max
• Apr 23 - Memorandum by the Legal Adviser (Hackworth) to the Secretary of State and the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
Post Committee of Fourteen meeting in Santa F
• May 14 - The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
Mexicali putting a bunch of new acreage in and then claiming water shortage. Sounds like a water grab to make case for more water in treaty 
• May 17 - The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
Mexicali taking too much water, they are claiming they are short
• May 22 - Memorandum by Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
Control of diversions to Imperial and Mexicali.
• Jun 1 - The American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission (Lawson), to Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics
Mexicali is getting the 2100 cfs they are supposed to get.
• Jul 16 - Memorandum by Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
Mexico wants 1.7 MAF, US wants 1.25 MAF, US could sweeten deal with money
• Jul 20 - The Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) to the Counselor of Embassy in Mexico (Bursley)
"If we could feel justified in giving as much as 1,700,000 acre feet, it is probable that rapid progress could be made. However, it is difficult to see how, as matters stand, we can go above the Santa Fe formula, which envisages an ultimate guarantee of approximately 1,500,000 acre feet to Mexico per year. The Basin States went a long way when they approved a formula that virtually doubled the Committee's formula of June 1942"
• Aug 16 - Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics (McGurk)
• Aug 26 - The Secretary of State (Hull) to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
• Oct 26 - Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission (Lawson)
• Oct 28 - The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
Ready for El Paso
• Sep 15 - Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) to the Secretary of State
"These discussions started Monday, September 6, with representatives attending from the two sections of the Boundary Commission, the Mexican Foreign Office and the Department"
• Nov 16 - Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
• Dec 11 - Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) to the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius)
Rough deal was reached for 1.5 MAF
• Dec 21 - Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of the American Republics to the American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission (Lawson)
Accusing Mexico of illegal diversions at El Paso
• Dec 23 - Memorandum of Conversalion by the Secretary of State

1944

• Negotiation of a protocol supplementary to a treaty between the United States and Mexico concerning utilization of the waters of the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers; special measures taken to supply water to drought areas pending ratification of the water treaty and protocol
• Mar 18 - The Secretary of the Interior (Ickes) to President Roosevelt
• Mar 23 - The American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission (Lawson), to Mr. Charles A. Timm of the Division of Mexican Affairs
"question which has arisen concerning jurisdiction over facilities in United States required in part for delivery of water to Mexico"
• Apr 3 - The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
• May 15 - The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Interior (Ickes)
• Jun 7 - The Secretary of the Interior (Ickes) to President Roosevelt
• Jul 22 - The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy
"Current water supply situation in the Mexicali Valley"
• Jul 17 - The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Interior (Ickes)
• Aug 14 - The Secretary of the Interior (Ickes) to the Secretary of State
• Nov 16 - The American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission (Lawson), to the Secretary of State
"developing definite plans for adequate flood control structures necessary to assure the protection of lands in both countries"

1945

1946

1947

1948

1949

1950

1951

• Jun 25 - Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee)
Jordan River problems and parallels to Colorado River and Mexico

1952-1954

1955-1957

1958-1960

• Microfiche Supplement

1962

• Feb 16 - Geneva Disarmament Conference and Salinity of Colorado River Water
• Mar 2-7 - The Salt Water Problem of the Mexicali and San Luis Valleys
• Mar 7 - Memorandum from McGhee to Woodward
Rose, Guyton and Tipton forcast "drainage water pumped from drainage wells will improve, because of dilution with good quality Colorado River water used in the Wellton-Mohawk Area, until it becomes entirely suitable for irrigation purposes."
• Mar 15 - Mexico's Protest on Salinity of Colorado River Water
• May 19 - Memorandum from Ambassador Mann to Edwin M. Martin
"Present Status of Problem A joint group of US and Mexican scientists was appointed, at the request of the Presidents of the US and Mexico, to study the problem and recommend a solution within 45 days"
• Jun 10 - Memorandum from Brubeck to McGeorge Bundy
"The panel is expected to propose three possible solutions, the most promising of which involves the by-passing of saline waters without charge to Mexico"
• Jun 30 - Memorandum of conversation, June 30, between President Kennedy, President Lopez Mateos, and Foreign Minister Tello

1963

• Feb 15 - Memorandum of conversation, February 15, between Ambassador Carrillo Flores and Robert M. Sayre
• Feb 23 - Memorandum of conversation, February 28, between President Kennedy and Ambassador Carrillo Flores
"Mexicali Valley is one of the few areas in Mexico where the Communists are active"
• Mar 29 - Memorandum from Brubeck to McGeorge Bundy
• Apr 18 - 205. Memorandum of conversation, April 18, between Ambassador Carrillo Flores and Sayre
• May 23 - 207. Memorandum of conversation, May 23, between Ball and Ambassador Carrillo Flores
• Jun 20 - Memorandum from Edwin Martin to Chayes
"The Congress has appropriated $6 million for additional pumps in the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District and the Bureau of Reclamation expects to operate them in a manner which would reduce the salinity of the water delivered to Mexico in the winter time to a peak of approximately 2000 p.p.m."
• Aug 21 - Telegram 504 from Mexico City
"the number one issue in our relations with Mexico. I consider this problem of such high priority, and the risks and consequences of further delay in reaching decisions so great, that I believe this telegram merits the personal attention of the President and the Secretary."
• Oct 11 - Memorandum of conversation among Rusk, Udall, and other U.S. officials

1964

• Feb 21 - Meeting between President Johnson and President Lopez Mateos
President Johnson acknowledged that the problem of the salinity of Colorado River water was a source of concern to Mexico. He said that a solution to this problem should be legislative rather than judicial but that the United States would have to await the outcome of experiments conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation.
• Jul 27 - Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
• Nov 13 - President Johnson's Conversation with President-elect Diaz Ordaz

1965

• Mar 12 - Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
• Apr 6 - Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk and Secretary of the Interior Udall
"I know that some of the Basin States continue to be dissatisfied with the 1944 Water Treaty itself and believe that our policy should be conditioned by the fact that Mexico was guaranteed a quantity of water larger than it should have been given"

1966

• Apr 14 - Conversation between Presidents Johnson and Diaz Ordaz
• Sep 29 - Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
"The Mexicans have been concerned that (1) our ground water recovery program on the lower Colorado River would reduce the underground water flows to Mexico and (2) our substituting these recovered waters for surface waters in the river water delivered to them under the 1944 Water Treaty would leave Mexico with poor quality water."

1969-72

• Jan 13, 1970 - Telegram 182 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
THERE ARE OTHER LATENT PROBLEMS AND THE COLORADO RIVER SALINITY WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE AN ISSUE IN 1970 BECAUSE OF THE TERMINATION OF THE PRESENT AGREEMENT
• Jul 24, 1970 - Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
• Nov 3, 1970 - Telegram 5988 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
• Feb 2, 1971 - Colorado River Salinity Problem with Mexico
• Apr 14, 1971 - Colorado River Salinity Problem with Mexico
• Apr 28, 1971 - Colorado River Salinity Problem with Mexico
• Jun 25, 1971 - Memorandum Prepared by the Government of Mexico
Summary of negotiating postitions "to reach a new temporary agreement in substitution of Minute No. 218"
• Jul 22, 1971 - Colorado River Salinity Problem with Mexico
• Sep 4, 1971 - Telegram 5063 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
• Feb 12, 1972 - Telegram 718 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
• Undated - Study Prepared by William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff
• Apr 16, 1972 - Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Irwin) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs
"seek President Echeverria's early acceptance of a mutually satisfactory interim agreement regarding the quality and quantity of water delivered under the 1944 Water Treaty"
• May 6, 1972 - Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
The single most important unresolved problem in U.S.-Mexican relations
• May 15, 1972 - Conversation Between Henry A. Kissinger and Mexican Foreign Secretary Emilio Rabasa
• Jun 8, 1972 - Kissinger Memorandum of Conversation, Washington
• Jun 14, 1972 - Echeverria Visit -- Colorado River Salinity Problem
• Jun 15, 1972 - Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Short summary of meetings and trips on salinity problem
• Jun 15, 1972 - Conversation Among President Nixon, President Echeverría, and the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
• Oct 4, 1972 - Briefing Memorandum From Francesco J. Alberti, International Relations Officer, Office of Mexican Affairs, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Crimmins)
• Dec 16, 1972 - 485. Telegram 7204 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State
• May 7, 1973 - Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Brownell Report on the Salinity Problem with Mexico
• Jun 26, 1973 - Status of the Colorado River Salinity Negotiations with Mexico
• Jul 9, 1973 - Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
"Presidents Nixon and Echeverria last June, and the resulting agreement to establish a commission on each side to study the problem. Secretary Rabasa noted that the study groups will meet on July 16"
• Jul 11, 1973 - Conversation Between Henry A. Kissinger and Mexican Foreign Secretary Emilio Rabasa
• Aug 27, 1973 - Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
"Herbert Brownell, has reached agreement with his Mexican counterpart on a solution to the problem of salinity in Colorado River waters"
• Feb 21, 1974 - Address by Secretary of State Kissinger
During the past year, the United States and Mexico solved the longstanding Colorado River salinity dispute
• Jul 25, 1974 - Telegram 161834 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico
Brief mention of settlement