INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [57 STAT. Fabrega, Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed me that the Govern- ment of Panama desired to avail itself of the cooperation of the Government of the United States in construction of the Inter-American Highway in Panama, and offered the assurances required by Public 55 Stat. 860. Law 375 of December 26, 1941 in connection with such cooperation. I take pleasure in informing Your Excellency that the assurances offered in the kind note referred to are satisfactory to my Government. It is consequently the intention of my Government, as soon as Your Excellency's Government has completed the financial arrangements mentioned and subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds by the Congress of the United States, to extend to Your Excellency's Government the cooperation envisaged by the above-mentioned law. Your Excellency will recall that Public Law 375 provides that the surveying and construction work authorized by that act shall be under the administration of the Public Roads Administration. It is understood, therefore, that the pertinent Panamanian officials and the Public Roads Administration will seek to reach a subsidiary agreement regarding the administration of the contemplated work. My Government is gratified that through this cooperative under- taking it will be possible to complete the Inter-American Highway to Panama City. Transportation facilities will be improved, new lands and new natural resources developed, additional markets opened, and local economic conditions benefitted through the useful expendi- ture of money which this project envisages. Both of our countries should happily profit therefrom. I sincerely trust that the highway will serve not only as a link to increase material intercourse between our nations but also as another bond in the close friendship which unites us. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest con- sideration. EDWIN C. WILSON His Excellency Sefior Doctor Don VfcToR F. GOYTfA, Acting Alinister or Foreign Affairs. 1300
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