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THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 27, 1964 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Salinity Problem with Mexico The Mexican Ambassador will call on you at 6 PM, July 28, to deliver a letter from President Lopez Mateos on our proposal to resolve the salinity problem on the lower Colorado River. Secretary Udall, Tom Mann, and Mr. Sayre, from my staff, will attend. The Mexican Ambassador will make three basic points: 1. Mexico appreciates the efforts the U. S. has made to achieve a solution to the salinity problem. The U. S. proposal being discussed in the International Boundary and Water Commission would reduce the amount of salt in water delivered to Mexico, but there would still be more salt than would result from normal irrigation operations. The proposal promises a further reduction in salt from Wellton-Mohawk, but gives no indication as to when. Moreover, it still contemplates the delivery of underground salt water and not "return flow," as defined by the Treaty. 2. Mexico regards a by-pass channel (either entirely separate, or within the present channel of the Colorado River) as the only way to achieve a prompt and satisfactory solution. 3. Mexico will continue to reserve its legal position on the Interpretation of the 1944 Treaty and International law just as both countries did in the Chamizal settlement. I recommend that you inform the Mexican Ambassador: 1. We share the Mexican desire for an early solution to this problem. 2. We will review our proposals to see if there is any possible way to reduce further the amount of salt which would be delivered to Mexico this winter. We will also try to give Mexico an answer on when the Wellton-Mohawk district can achieve normal operation, i. e., when it will be in salt balance.Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 24 bit, 11,222,016 byte