812.628/12–2347: Airgram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
A–1150. Referring to the Department’s airgram A–923 of December 16, 1947 in which it is stated that the Department would appreciate receiving the Embassy’s evaluation of past publicity regarding proposed United States-Mexican fishery treaty in Mexican publications and probable effect of these newspaper accounts on opinions of Government officials or of the public, the questions raised in the Department’s airgram under reference have received the careful attention of both the Embassy and Mr. Milton J. Lindner, Chief, Fishery Mission to Mexico and the following suggestions are made with the approval of both:
In view of Mr. Lindner’s statement that additional publicity at this time will stimulate opposition to the treaty, the Embassy, as directed by the Department, will not approach the Mexican Government to request permission to release in Mexico or in the United States the [Page 811] text of the 1945 draft until this matter is the subject of further instruction from the Department. In this connection Mr. Lindner has observed that, in his opinion, if the 1945 draft is released in Mexico, it will probably be impossible to negotiate successfully a fishery treaty with Mexico on account of the opposition which certain provisions of that draft will raise among Mexican fishing interests and other interested parties.
The Embassy understands the Department’s observation with regard to importance of consulting the American fishing industry and the Congress on international problems of concern to the fishing industry; it is considered essential, however, in this connection that these consultations be conducted on a confidential basis, particularly avoiding publicity which would have the effect, as stated above, of raising probable insuperable barriers through arousing pressure upon the authorities here by Mexican fishing interests. The Embassy is of the opinion that no public release of substance of treaty should be made until conclusion of the negotiations with Mexico; and then release should be simultaneous by both Governments. However, the Embassy considers a confidential disclosure to United States fishing industry is highly advisable.
Further with reference to past publicity, it is thought that past publicity has not adversely influenced the attitude of Government officials. Nevertheless, the reaction of the public and particularly of Mexican fishing interests on the west coast has been the cause of inordinately stirring up opposition with the probable results that responsible officials have hesitated and delayed making definite decisions toward getting on with negotiations for a United States-Mexican fishery treaty, not only vis-à-vis the Mexican commercial interest involved but certain powerful political personalities who have a definite interest in exploiting Mexico’s fishing resources.