Office of the Historian

347. Telegram From the Ambassador in Brazil (Briggs) to the Department of State1

Rio de Janeiro, December 13, 1956—11 p.m.

600. Saw President Kubitschek this evening for one hour and obtained assurance Fernando de Noronha matter will be brought to conclusion soonest (i.e., “within next few days”) with qualification however that he may decide, on recommendation advisors, to submit project to Congress for approval, procedure which if undertaken he later admitted would lead to further and perhaps interminable delay.

My initial statement to President as follows: I informed him my visit pursuant urgent instructions take up matter of highest importance, namely protracted delay which my government has encountered in arranging for certain facilities in field of hemisphere defense collaboration, including Fernando de Noronha. Reminded President that when first spoke to him last July he expressed agreement in principle and directed discussions be undertaken with Foreign Office. I said it is only because Itamaraty2 discussions unproductive that I again coming to him.

. . . . . . .

At end of conversation President said he would try arrange meeting tonight with Foreign Minister and legal advisors preliminary to Cabinet discussion and assured me he aware both importance and urgency my representations and that I could confidently expect reply “within few days”. Should War Minister return tonight from southern trip President would attempt unite Military Ministers and Foreign Minister and NSC in separate meetings this weekend. President (1) further declared he unwilling let matters dangle; (2) reiterated his sincere belief in US-Brazilian cooperation all along the line.

Comment follows next telegram.3

Briggs
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 732.5–MSP/2–1356. Secret; Niact.↩
  2. The Brazilian Foreign Office.↩

  3. Telegram 601 from Rio de Janerio reads in part: “Recommend Kubitschek be given his requested ‘few days’ during which we can continue to press him (i.e., message from President).” (Department of State, Central Files, 732.5–MSP/2–1356)

    In telegram 495 to Rio de Janeiro, December 14, the Department of State informed Briggs that at his suggestion the delay in reaching a facilities agreement had been brought to President Eisenhower’s attention. At the President’s authorization, the Department instructed Briggs to convey a personal message from Eisenhower to Kubitschek, urging the Brazilian President to “find means to assure that the construction of this essential facility will be allowed to begin without further delay so as not to imperil the schedule for testing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.” (Ibid.)

    In telegram 606 from Rio de Janeiro, December 15, Briggs reported that he had seen Kubitschek that morning and read to him the substance of the President’s message, which the Ambassador believed had been most helpful in the present situation. (Ibid., 732.5–MSP/2–1556) Briggs transmitted to the Department the text of the letter which he read to Kubitschek in telegram 607, infra.

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