Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, American Republics; Cuba 1961–1962; Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath, Volumes X/XI/XII, Microfiche Supplement

40. Memorandum of conversation, December 12, between President Allessandri and President Kennedy¹

Part II (of 3)

December 12, 1962, 4:45 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Communists in International Organizations

PARTICIPANTS

• Chile

  • President Alessandri
  • Sr. Alfonso Echeverria, (Interpreter)

• United States

  • President Kennedy
  • Fernando van Reigersberg, LS, (Interpreter)

President Alessandri said he was very concerned about the question of Communists and “fellow-travelers” who work for international organizations. The Chilean Ambassador in Venezuela has reported that six or eight of the 14 Chilean international civil servants stationed in Carácas or working out of Carácas offices are Communists or sympathizers. Asked by President Kennedy as to what organizations are involved, President Alessandri replied that all United Nations agencies were included, and at times the OAS. He singled out ECLA as a nest of Communists, and also mentioned FAO, UNESCO, and the ILO.

President Alessandri said that Chilean opposition politicians constantly are referring to statistics published by these organizations, as being extremely accurate. He said this is not true, since the international Communist movement is interested in casting disrepute on development efforts, and its agents will twist figures around to serve their purposes.

President Kennedy indicated his grave concern with this matter, stating he would inform Assistant Secretary Edwin Martin and ask him to investigate. The question raised was serious enough to warrant close scrutiny. The US also is interested in the movement of students to and from Cuba.

President Alessandri indicated there was nothing the GOC could do to keep its citizens from traveling freely throughout the world. He knows that over 150 Chilean technicians are in Cuba, however.

Many of them might later be hired by international organizations. Since the international civil servants form a small, close group, this group could play a very dangerous role. He said the number of Communists in these international organizations is constantly increasing, and the heads of the agencies do not seem to be concerned.

President Kennedy assured President Alessandrii that he was very much interested in his remarks, and the US would look into the situation. The US also was concerned about student travel to Cuba, and hoped additional and more specific information about this could be obtained from Chile. He noted that at times it is difficult to make clear distinctions between Communists and other groups, and any information that would be of assistance on this would be very helpful.

1. Communists in international organizations. Confidential. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Chile, November–December 1962.