342. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Brazilian Ambassador (Amaral Peixoto) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Holland), Department of State, Washington, September 10, 19561
SUBJECT
- Atomic Energy—Brazil
I told the Ambassador that in a very informal and personal way I wanted to express to him the concern that is growing within this Government and the adverse public opinion that is being created by recent occurrences in Brazil in the field of nuclear energy. I referred specifically to the recent cancellation of the agreement regarding the sale of thorium and cancellation of the agreement regarding exploration for uranium. These events, plus some other problems were having, I feared, a serious effect here.
. . . . . . .
The Ambassador said that he wanted me to understand his position; that before he had come here many of his friends had [Page 721] urged him not to accept this post, but to stay on in Brazil where his political position was secure. He had decided to come because he felt that he could make a real contribution to good relations between the United States. He felt that in coming here he was serving the real best interests of Brazil.
. . . . . . .
The Ambassador said that he would specifically recommend … that the Brazilian Government push ahead as rapidly as possible to the conclusion of agreements with the United States in this field and … that the Atomic Energy Commission which has been set up in Brazil negotiate new agreements for the sale of thorium and exploration of uranium in lieu of those which have been canceled.
. . . . . . .
He showed to me a press statement that he intended to issue when he left my office, and I agreed that it would be satisfactory.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 832.1901/9–1056. Confidential. Drafted by Holland on September 11.↩