Sold – President Jimmy Carter Lobbies Hard For Senate Ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties, A Centerpiece of His Foreign Policy With Latin America

Panamanian efforts to renegotiate the original Panama Canal treaty with the United States had been ongoing since it was first signed in 1903. However, activity to renegotiate or abrogate the treaty increased considerably in the early 1960s, and events in 1964 precipitated a complete breakdown in relations between the U.S. and Panama. On January 10, 1965, Panama broke off republican relations with the U.S. and declared that Panama would not re-establish diplomatic ties until the U.S. agreed to begin negotiations on a new treaty. When Jimmy Carter entered the White House, the Panamanians finally had a sympathetic voice. Negotiations to hand over the canal to Panama began in February 1977 and were completed by August 10 of that year. Anticipating strong political opposition in the U.S. to what some would call a surrender, a few days before final agreement on the treaties was reached, Carter sent a telegram to all members of Congress informing them of the status of the negotiations and asking them to withhold judgment on the treaty until they had an opportunity to carefully study it. On September 7, two treaties were signed by the U.S. and Panama; the first, the Permanent Neutrality Treaty, declared the canal neutral and open to vessels of all nations. The second, the Panama Canal Treaty, provided for joint U.S.-Panama control of the canal until December 31, 1999, when Panama would take full control. The U.S. Senate ratified the first treaty on March 16, 1978 and the second treaty on April 18, by identical 68 to 32 margins.

Carter saw these treaties as crucial to improving relations with all of Latin America, and they were an important part of his foreign policy as President. However, every senator knew that ratification would not be popular, given the deep divisions in public opinion. So as part of his campaign to secure ratification, Carter sought to line up influential senators, while showing he was sensitive to the political problems some might have because of a “yes” vote. Typed Letter Signed, on White House letterhead, Washington, March 22, 1978, after the first Senate vote but before the second, to Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada. “Last week the Senate passed the treaty securing the right of the United States to defend the neutrality of the Panama Canal after the year 2000. By approving the Neutrality Treaty, you and your colleagues also have helped fashion a more stable relationship with Panama and other Latin American nations. Thank you for your support. Much remains to be done. The vote on the Panama Canal Treaty will be as important or more important than the one last week. We will also need your help to defeat crippling amendments to the second treaty. Before this new contest begins in earnest, however, I wanted to congratulate you for the courageous stand you have taken. The vote was a great victory for our future in Latin America.” He adds in holograph, “If I can help in any way in your state or with the second treaty, please come to see me. Thanks!” This letter was obtained directly from the Cannon heirs and has never before been offered for sale.