Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

362. Memorandum of a Conversation, Washington, March 12, 1957¹

Washington, March 12, 1957

SUBJECT

• U.S.–Brazilian relations

PARTICIPANTS

• President Eisenhower
• Ambassador Peixoto of Brazil
• R. R. Rubottom, Jr.—Acting Assistant Secretary of State

Ambassador Peixoto stated that he had just returned from a visit to Brazil and that President Kubitschek had requested him to seek an appointment with the President to convey the Brazilian President’s personal greetings and pleasure at the President’s continued recovery.² He also was asked to reaffirm the very high esteem in which the President and the people of the U.S. are held by President Kubitschek and the people of Brazil. The President replied that he greatly appreciated this message from President Kubitschek and was especially pleased to have the chance to talk to the Ambassador. The President alluded to his two meetings with President Kubitschek and his deep satisfaction at having had the opportunity of knowing him personally.

The Ambassador then handed a letter to the President from President Kubitschek.³ He read the letter and commented to the Ambassador that, with respect to the paragraph expressing the hope that the high degree of cooperation of the past between Brazil and the United States could be continued, he could absolutely assure President Kubitschek that this coincided with our own aspiration. The Ambassador mentioned, apparently with reference to the content of the letter, that Brazil wanted the U.S. to cooperate in the defense of northeastern Brazil.

The Ambassador recalled having called on President Roosevelt more than 15 years ago to state to the latter on behalf of President Vargas that, in the event the U.S. found itself in war or other difficulty, it could count on Brazil’s full support. The Ambassador declared that President Kubitschek had requested him to assure the President that Brazil continued to hold this position and that, in the event of any world emergency, Brazil would be at our side. The President expressed his gratification at this renewed pledge of President Kubitschek on behalf of Brazil.

Ambassador Peixoto mentioned Brazil’s intense interest in obtaining 24 C1–MAV–1’s type freighters for coastwise traffic. Mr. Rubottom explained that the Ambassador and he had discussed this Brazilian request on several occasions and that the Department was following the matter very closely although specific legislation was required to effect the sale of the vessels which were also much in demand by several other countries. The President acknowledged Brazil’s need for such freighters in view of her tremendous coastline and stated that he was sure that the U.S. would cooperate to the best of its ability in order to help Brazil meet its requirements.⁴

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Secret. Drafted by Rubottom.
2. In a memorandum to Eisenhower, dated March 6, Under Secretary of State Christian A. Herter recommended that the President meet with Ambassador Peixoto since he had “strongly supported” the U.S. position in the Fernando de Noronha negotiations. In addition, he pointed out that a meeting with Peixoto “would support negotiations now in progress for establishment in Brazil of an Army communications center and three Coast Guard Loran stations.” (Ibid., Herter Papers, Chronological File)
3. This letter responded to President Eisenhower’s communication of December 14, 1956, regarding the guided missiles tracking station (see Document 348) and made reference to the defense negotiations scheduled to begin soon in Washington. A copy of the letter is in Department of State, Central Files, 732.5–MSP/3–1957.

4. On March 14, Siracusa drafted a reply to Kubitschek; it was forwarded to the President for his approval on March 19 under cover of a memorandum from Dulles. Eisenhower approved the letter without change on March 21. (Ibid.) It was transmitted to the Embassy in telegram 844 to Rio de Janeiro, March 21. The letter reads in part as follows:

   “The conclusion of an agreement to establish a guided missiles tracking station on Fernando de Noronha Island was most gratifying to me and I sincerely appreciate the personal actions you took to bring this negotiation to a prompt and mutually satisfactory conclusion. As you are aware, this installation will play an important role in the development of weapons vital for the defense of Brazil and the United States, as well as of the entire free world. Its establishment on Brazilian territory is an important step toward realization of this great purpose.” (Ibid., 711.56332/3–2157)