821.20/190: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 21—2:12 a.m.]
239. Department’s telegram 196, February 18, midnight. I suggest that at end of antepenultimate sentence of proposed letter the following be inserted: “or that their military status otherwise be indicated in any manner whatsoever”.
American companies now exploring concessions in the Llanos are Texas Petroleum Company and Richmond Petroleum Company (subsidiary of Standard Oil of California). Those exploring but not [Page 146] having concessions are Tropical Oil Company (subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey) and Socony Vacuum. I suggest that planes be distributed among these companies and that arrangements to this end be made with their executive officers in the United States and that their representatives here be instructed through the Department and this Embassy.
I have again discussed this matter with the President who gives his complete approval.