810.74/663: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:02 p.m.]
2588. Department’s 1966, December 17, 7 p.m. After consulting with British Chargé d’Affaires it was decided to read Harbord’s message to Hayes and obtain latter’s opinion on desirability of transmitting it to Aguirre. Hayes flatly stated that it would not have desired effect. He said local directors would question Harbord’s authority to make such request and that it would have to come from Hallauer17 addressed to the company for Aguirre’s attention before it would receive proper consideration. Even then he doubted if Board would take such action without previous approval from Argentine Government as otherwise there would be certainty of further official intervention. With regard to Transradio Chilena action he pointed out that it was Chilean Government which took initiative. His general remarks confirmed observations made in Embassy’s 2081, October 24, noon, and he added that Aguirre might resign rather than attempt to carry out such action on company’s initiative.
As mentioned in Embassy’s despatch 7779, December 17,18 now en route both this and British Embassies made representations to the [Page 182] Argentine Government on December 11 regarding the 700 code words weekly by radio accorded to each diplomatic mission. Yesterday the German, Italian and Japanese diplomatic representatives separately visited Foreign Minister to complain that decree placed them at disadvantage. Foreign Minister replied that although it was intention to maintain existing regulation their claims would be brought to the attention of the President.
It now appears that December 2 decree will be interpreted broadly to allow transmission of coded radio messages by unofficial entities also provided code is in common use and other provisions of decree complied with.
Referring to Department’s airgram A–369, November 16,19 we would be in much stronger position to press for total elimination of coded messages by radio if we could show Argentine Government copies of any subversive messages sent by local Axis missions.