835.01/524: Telegram

The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]

1113. President López sent for me today in connection with conversation which he expected Ambassador Turbay would have with the Secretary this morning.

López said that he had instructed Turbay, in view of the fact that he had an appointment with the Secretary today, to take advantage thereof to express to the Secretary the President’s views regarding the growing possibility of disunity in the American continent.…

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… It has been shown during the past months since the non-recognition of the Argentine Government that under present conditions with the war still going on Argentina can get along perfectly well without diplomatic relations with the majority of the other American Governments, and those governments can get along perfectly well without Argentina. When the moment of peace arrives however and Argentina because of her great European connections will again assume a preponderant role in American affairs, the fact [Page 315] that Argentina played a lone role throughout the war will give it a commanding position in continuing to play a leading role thereafter.

He said that there are three policies to follow with respect to Argentina: 1, to recognize and to say we forgive the past; 2, “to be tough”; 3, to continue the present policy which is neither one of the first two.

He said that Colombia has never been especially friendly with Argentina and that he has no illusions regarding the present government. Lopez said however that from a practical point of view he thought consideration should now be given to the relationship of the other American Republics to Argentina in the light of the changing European situation. He said that regardless of what one might wish to think, Argentina has a commanding position politically in South America especially in the south. He wondered whether it might not be preferable, in view of the imminent recognition of Bolivia, to reconsider the position of the continent towards Argentina, taking advantage of the present very favorable trend of events in Europe.…

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Lane