Office of the Historian

835.00/2552: Telegram

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

Washington, March 7, 1944—2 p.m.

397. The Department considers that your action in not seeing Perón is completely correct in as much as any such meeting might be interpreted by the other American Republics as an indication that we are having official contacts with the present Argentine regime, particularly since the other American Republics have instructed their diplomatic representatives not to do so. As you point out in your 660, March 6, 9 p.m., such a meeting might also be interpreted as a willingness to bargain. It is felt that this Government has already made its position sufficiently clear. If Perón is anxious to obtain the “true facts” on our attitude, the Argentine Foreign Office can furnish him with abundant material over the past year.

The British have indicated a complete willingness to cooperate with us and Mr. Eden91 is making a statement tomorrow.

The Department has asked the Combined Boards92 to review their findings. You will be notified of the results. In the meantime please consider the desirability of adopting any economic or other measures at this time.

Stettinius
  1. Anthony Eden, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩
  2. For a list of the Combined Boards on which the United States was represented, see Department of State Bulletin, January 16, 1943, p. 67.↩