Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The American Republics, Volume V

611.3531/927: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina ( Armour ) to the Secretary of State

Buenos Aires , August 31, 1939—11 a.m.
[Received 12:45 p.m.]

142. Department’s telegram number 134, August 27 [24] 7 p.m. I brought the contents of this telegram to the attention of the Foreign Office, leaving with them a memorandum embodying the principal points and have now received a reply of which the following is a translation:

“With reference to the Embassy’s memorandum of the 26th instant, the Minister of Foreign Affairs agrees that the discussion of the general terms of the commercial agreement between the Argentine Republic and the United States may begin immediately.

In this respect, it believes it is necessary to establish forthwith that the discussions will have to take place on the basis of the Embassy’s memoranda of June 29²² and August 20²³ last and of the memoranda of the Argentine Government of the 12th²⁴ and 22nd²¹ instant.

It takes pleasure in stating also that the Argentine officials are actively studying the situation of merchandise originating principally or in important measure in the United States. With this purpose there has been made publicly known a list of articles for which there is considered the possibility of granting concession of customs character, in order that the persons or entities directly interested may set forth their points of view concerning the advisability of including such articles or not in the negotiations, and make any suggestion with regard to the manner, the extent and the nature thereof. For briefs to be presented it has been established that these must be submitted before midday of October 4 next. The date on which the corresponding hearings will take place has not yet been fixed, but, in order not to delay the negotiation, all the necessary measures will be taken so that such hearings may terminate, at the latest, simultaneously with those to be held in the United States.

In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial resolutions of November 29, 1938, the Permanent Inter-Ministerial Commission of Economic Policy will participate in the negotiations, and this Chancellery is disposed forthwith to set the date for the first meeting of officials who, as representatives of the Government of the Argentine Republic and the United States, will study the general clauses of the new treaty of commerce which it is planned to conclude.

Buenos Aires, August 29, 1939.”

Armour

22. i. e., the memorandum of June 28, p. 234.
23. See telegram No. 131, August 19, 10 p.m., to the Ambassador in Argentina, p. 251.
24. Ante, p. 246.
21. See telegram No. 135, August 22, 9 p.m., from the Ambassador in Argentina, p. 254.