723.2515/1974: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Poindexter)
21. Department does not understand that your conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs and President Leguía which you report in your No. 18, March 2, 9 p.m., makes any change in situation. If you think it important or necessary in order to eliminate any possible misunderstanding, you may explain to President and to Minister for Foreign Affairs that it is the Secretary’s view that an acceptance of our tender of good offices with a condition annexed cannot be accepted by the United States, that it is equivalent to rejection of offer as made … He wholly approves position you took in your recent conversation. It is clear that the United States cannot undertake to guarantee any settlement, and that all speculation over ways to accomplish that aim indirectly is futile.
At same time, I am sure you appreciate importance of leaving no doubt in minds of President and Minister for Foreign Affairs that tender of good offices stands, and that the Secretary will receive any later indication of its acceptance by Peru in spirit and on terms in which offer has been made.