Letter from Congressman M. Gene Snyder, 4th District Kentucky, to President Gerald R. Ford Regarding the Panama Canal

EXECUTI FG87 of F03-1/P August 27, 1974 Colly PR15 Dear Gene: I wish to thank you for your August 20 letter to the President reporting on the findings of your District poll in response to the question on a policy of turning the Panama Canal over to the Republic of Panama. I know the President will appreciate having this information which will also be shared with his foreign policy advisers. With kindest regards, Sincerely, Max L. Friedersdorf Deputy Assistant to the President The Honorable M. Gene Snyder House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 RECEIVED AUG2 8 1974 CENTRAL FILES S bcc: w/incoming to General Scowcroft for appropriate handling. MLF:EF:VO:st GERALD LIBRARY R. FORD 8-23 M. GENE SNYDER DISTRICT OFFICES: 4TH DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 310 FEDERAL BUILDING COVINGTON, KY. 41011 306 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BLDG. 606-491-0105 TEL: 202-225-3465 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 140 CHENOWETH LANE COMMITTEES: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ST. Matthews, KY. 40201 PUBLIC WORKS 502-895-6949 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES August 20, 1974 The President The White House Bi Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President: I respectfully call upon you to reverse the policy of the previous Administration aimed at turn- I ing over the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama. A recent poll which I took of the Fourth District of Kentucky, which I have the honor of representing, showed that of 19,000 responding only 4.6 percent favored that policy, while 87.5 percent flatly opposed it. I have respect for Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, upon whom you must rely heavily. However, in this area of our foreign policy, I hope that you will rely on your own common sense, and the voice of the American people, instead of any advisors who mistakenly feel that our best interests are served by surrendering control of the vital inter-oceanic waterway which is more important to our security today than ever before. Sme Anyder MGS:mj GERALD FORD LIBRARY THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE WITH RECYCLED fibers DOC RECD LOG NBR NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE MO DA MO DA HR Low INITIAL ACTION o frienday, FROM: COLBY, kissinger, W 827 m 82812 7403714 REFERENCE: CIRCLE AS APPROPRIATE TO: PRES S/S UNCLAS LOG IN/OUT kissinger OTHER LOU NO FORN NODIS SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION SCOWCROFT + SCHLESINGER, J C eyes ONLY EXDIS DAVIS ST EXSEC S CODEWORD Adminis tentin Weins he anamy Camel SUBJECT: Ceek lte to Pres from Rep Lene Sayden TS sensitive 20 INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION REC ACTION REQUIRED ACTION INFO CY ADVANCE CYS TO HAK/SCOWCROFT FOR MEMO FOR HAK ( ) STAFF SECRETARY MEMO FOR PRES ( ) REPLY FOR FAR EAST APPROPRIATE ACTION to to Note ( ) ( SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA * ) DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT MID EAST / NO. AFRICA / so. ASIA MEMO TO ( ) RECOMMENDATIONS ( ) EUROPE / CANADA X JOINT memo ( LATIN AMERICA ) UNITED NATIONS REFER TO FOR: ( ) ECONOMIC ANY ACTION NECESSARY? ( ) SCIENTIFIC CONCURRENCE. - ) program ANALYSIS DUE DATE: 8-29 NSC PLANNING A COMMENTS: (INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS) CONGRESSIONAL OCEANS POLICY INTELLIGENCE DATE FROM TO S SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKEN): CY TO 8/28 Low Capy to State F YI 8/28 "C" NAR, copy To STATE PER how SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS cy To STATE DISPATCH C ROMTS: SEE ABOVE PLUS: NSC/S DISP INSTR NOTIFY & DATE BY AUG.3 microfilm & FILE RQMTS: BY FORD SPECIAL DISPOSITION: CRT ID: SA SF CROSS REF W/ GERALD 1188491 OPEN HP NS suspense CY ATTACHED: FOLDER: CLOSE mg WH EP PA DY (NBC-74-21)