710.Consultation (3)A/424
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)
During a conversation in which the Foreign Minister64 reviewed once again his attitude with respect to Argentina, I raised with him the problem created for the CPD65 by Argentina’s representation in the Committee. I said that it seemed obvious that the work of the CPD would be hampered by Argentine membership since the functions of the Committee were clearly premised upon the necessity for break of relations with the Axis powers by each one of the American republics. I therefore inquired the Minister’s attitude towards action by the CPD (without specifying what this action would be) to eliminate the Argentine member of the Committee.
The Minister replied without hesitation that he thought any such action would be a mistake. He referred to his previous comments that President Ramírez66 and the Argentine Government wanted to break diplomatic relations67 and had delayed only because they were uncertain as to method and timing. Steps to eliminate Argentine membership on the CPD would simply have the effect of antagonizing the Argentine Government rather than of presenting them an additional reason why diplomatic relations should be broken. He therefore thought that no further consideration should be given to this idea until there was certainty as to Argentine foreign policy.
- Joaquin Fernández y Fernández, Chilean Foreign Minister, on a visit to the United States.↩
- Emergency Advisory Committee for Political Defense.↩
- Gen. Pedro P. Ramírez, President of Argentina.↩
- For correspondence on concern of the United States at the failure of Argentina to sever political relations with the Axis Powers, see pp. 415 ff.↩