Page 1

March 6, 1964 MEMORANDUM To: Assistant Secretary Holum From: Stewart L. Udall Subject: Colorado River Salinity After the visit of President Johnson with President Lepez Mateos in California last month a joint communique was issued. Perhaps the most significant paragraph in this communique is the following: "President Lepez Mateos recalled his talks in June 1962 with President Kennedy on the problem of the salinity of the waters of the Colorado River. On that occasion the Presidents expressed 'their determination, with the scientific studies as a basis, to reach a permanent and effective solution at the earliest possible time with the aim of preventing the recurrence of this problem after October 1963.' President Lopez Mateos observed that the Government of Mexico and Mexican public opinion consider that this problem is the only serious one between the two countries and emphasized the importance of finding a permanent solution as soon as possible. After presenting the United States' point of view, President Johnson described the experimental construction which is now being actively carried out in order to find an adequate permanent solution which he would recommend to the Congress. On the basis of this exchange, the Presidents confirmed that the mutual and friendly understanding contained in the Joint Communique of June 1962 is still in effect and that adequate provisional measures will be taken pending a final solution." (The underlining is mine.)Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 10,550,784 byte