710 Consultation (3)A/9–644: Telegram
The Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:55 p.m.]
838. From Sanders for Spaeth. At meeting yesterday Chilean member absent, Committee by vote of five to one approved communication on membership problem substantially as transmitted in Embassy’s 771, August 15; 775, August 16; 823, August 30.71 It is being [Page 23] transmitted by airmail to Governments and Union today. Text of final paragraph being sent in separate cable and full text in pouch.72
Chiappe sought to prevent action by arguing that Argentina had complied with all her international commitments; that she was cooperating fully with Committee and that perhaps through his negligence Committee was unaware of great extent to which his country had adopted its recommendations; that its defense structure was superior to that of many other republics; that continental unity would be seriously prejudiced by this additional attempt to isolate her and that if Committee had any complaint to make it should address it only to Argentine Government.
Goes Monteiro carried burden of discussion with Chiappe, but other members also took active part in discussion of issues involved. However, Guani, Armendáriz and Arroyo, seeing possibility that Committee might be instrumental in solving entire Argentine problem and apparently impressed by Chiappe’s statement that all his Government wanted was opportunity to cooperate fully in support of American solidarity, suggested privately to me during session that communication be sent in first instance only to Argentine Government to give it an opportunity to make some statement which Committee could send to other Governments.
On my suggestion this possibility was not discussed in meeting. However, in voting in favor of communication Guani expressed hope that before sending it to Governments something might occur which would enable Committee to transmit a more satisfactory document. In conversations with Guani, Armendáriz and Arroyo after the session it became evident that they expected Guani to delay transmission of communication in order that Chiappe might make effort to elicit statement of type mentioned above from his Government.
In individual conversations yesterday afternoon and this morning with Guani, Armendáriz and Arroyo I stressed that this move would offer Argentine Government a further opportunity to maneuver for recognition based on usual promises instead of effective implementation of break of relations and that the step would be highly prejudicial to Committee and to a satisfactory settlement of entire problem. They finally agreed not to delay the communication and Guani will refrain from encouraging Chiappe as indicated.
Preliminary action was initiated Monday morning at informal meeting of Committee members, with exception of Argentine, held in Brazilian member’s apartment. Chilean members sought to frustrate or delay action on ground Argentina had broken relations with Axis and its member could, therefore, support policy of Resolution XVII. Text of proposed communication was offered as joint draft of the other five members (Chilean member later assured me he was not opposed [Page 24] to proposal in principle, but believed Committee should merely present facts of Argentine member’s failure to uphold policy directives and not draw conclusions therefrom regarding his country’s foreign policy. Pursuant to agreement reached at informal meeting Mexican member informed Chiappe of proposal Monday afternoon. [Sanders.]