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w U1 ~ most critic~l to Mexico, and constructed a conveyance channel to facilitate ~ the segregation and bypassing of the Wellton-Mohawk drainage to the Gulf of California. The United States invested approximately $11 million in these and other related works. Minute No. 218 was to have expirE!d in NovE!mber 1970. With agreement from the Committee of FourtE!en (two reprE!sentativE!s E!ach from the seven Basin states - Figure 1), the United States, in 1970, offered ME!xico a new Minute for at least five years. In 1971 and early 1972, the Governments exchanged sevE!ral proposals in an attempt to reach an agreement, E!xtending MinutE! No, 218 in NovE!mber 1971 for another year so that the discussions might be continued. AftE!r furthE!r conversations in the first part of 1972, Mexico requE!stE!d a prompt, per- manent settlement. The Presidents of the United StatE!s and Mexico met in Washington in June 1972. The salinity issue was one of the subjects discussed at that time, and it figured prominently in their Joint Communique issued on June 17, 1972. With this Communique the search for a solution entered another phase. The Communique stated in part: . "Regarding the problem of the salinity of the Colorado. River, President Echeverri~ told President Nixon that Mexico reiterates its position as regards receiving its assignment of original waters from the Colorado River, to which the Treaty of February 3, 1.944 refers, and. therefore, with the same quality as those derived from the Imperi a 1 Dam. "To this, President Nixon replied that this was a highly complex problem that needed careful examination of all aspects, He was impressed by the presentation made by President ECheverria and would study it closely. It was his sincere desire to find a definitive, equitable and just solution to this problem at the earliest possible time because of the importance both nations attach to this matter. "As a demonstrati on of thi s intent and of the goodwill of the United States in this connection, he was prepared to: (a) undertake certain actions immediately to improve the quality of water going to Mexico; (b) designate a special representative to begin work immedi- ately to find a permanent, definitive and just solution of this problem; (c) instruct the special representative to submit a report to him by the end of this year; (d) submit this proposal, once it has the approval of this Government to President Echeverria for his consideration and approval. 2