[Enclosure—Translation]
Memorandum From the Representative of the
Argentine Republic (García Arias) to the
Chairman of the Governing Board of the Pan American Union
(Hull)
The Argentine Government has been observing with concern the
situation confronting the American concert of nations as a result of
the attitude assumed by some of the governments toward the Argentine
Republic, a situation that creates divisions incompatible with the
traditional spirit of fraternity existing between peoples united by
proximity, origin and ideals, and foments artificially a heretofore
unknown atmosphere of disunity. Above all, it is a condition that
implies the continuation of the suspicions which seriously threaten
the spiritual solidarity of the nations of America.
In such a delicate situation, the Argentine Government, conscious of
the righteousness of its position, reaffirms unreservedly its
determination to safeguard the rights of the country which it has
the honor to represent. But that determination does not prevent it
from again declaring that it does not close the door to an
understanding based on honorable grounds. On July 26th the Argentine
Foreign Ministry expressed its decision to maintain, in so far as it
might be compatible with the dignity of the country, the
conciliatory spirit which animated it. “In such circumstances,” it
added, “we can only wait, calmly and steadfastly, certain of the
justness of our position and the rectitude of our actions. In thus
defending our own rights we make the greatest contribution to the
strengthening of juridical order as the universal and irreplaceable
rule of conduct between States.” Although similar conciliatory
aspirations have been repeatedly expressed in other countries of
America, the problem persists unchanged. Because of that fact the
Argentine Government, as further evidence of its spirit of harmony,
is addressing itself to your Government to explain the measures
which in its judgment may even today assure the indispensable unity
of the American family.
There is invoked against Argentina a presumed non-compliance with its
commitments, an allegation that involves a problem of interest not
to one country or group of countries, but to the entire
Continent.14 The laborious
development of the Pan American system has resulted in the
establishment, for just such cases and as a formula of solidary
action and a guarantee of equality of treatment, of the procedure of
consultation. The most adequate instruments of this procedure are
without doubt the consultative meetings of Foreign Ministers agreed
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upon at the Lima
Conference,15 for, to
engage in systematic consultation outside of a conference, would
imply an alteration of the spirit of the agreement. It is therefore
desirable to seek, within the framework of Pan American agreements,
a satisfactory solution of the present misunderstanding. The
traditional Argentine attitude in favor of the pacific and legal
settlement of conflicts and the absence—at the present time—of any
other international organization, justify this course.
For the reasons set forth above, the Argentine Government has the
honor to inform you that it has this day requested the Governing
Board of the Pan American Union to convene a Meeting of Foreign
Ministers to consider the situation that has been created. At this
Meeting all the American countries without exception would have an
opportunity to express their points of view. They would thus possess
all the necessary elements to enable them to act with a full
knowledge of the case. A correct formulation of the problem could
take into consideration only the acts in the international conduct
of a country and not the presumed intentions attributable to one or
another of these acts. In making this proposal the Argentine
Government is fully aware of the great importance of its action. In
fact, it is not usual that a country should wish to consider,
jointly with its peers, a fundamental aspect of its international
conduct. But Argentina can do it without impairment of its dignity.
In the first place this attitude conforms with its best diplomatic
traditions of sincerity and frankness. As it has nothing to hide, it
has nothing to fear. In the second place, the exceptional period
through which the world is passing requires exceptional
understanding and generosity of spirit. We are at the close of one
of the most critical periods in the history of humanity. Peace and
harmony, which must be its fruit, cannot be brought forth from
division or rancor. The great and difficult problems which nations
must solve, require the whole-hearted collaboration of all. From
that collaboration, Argentina, which fully appreciates the
responsibilities of the moment, expects no selfish advantage from
either the political or the material point of view. But it believes
that no true and stable order can be established in the American
community on the basis of the arbitrary exclusion of one of its
members.
There is one point on which the Argentine Government desires that
there should be no possibility of an erroneous interpretation. This
refers to the effect of the present misunderstanding on the internal
organization of Argentina. As has just been said, this Government
would view most cordially any initiative tending to emphasize
collaboration
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between the
nations of the Continent, but it considers that in no case can the
adoption of internal measures related to the juridical and
institutional organization of the country, be the subject of
international negotiations. That would be a dangerous basis for the
reciprocal respect that must exist between States.
In conclusion, the Argentine Government is confident that the
fraternal spirit that inspires the foregoing observations will be
shared by all the American Governments and that the Meeting which is
proposed will serve to assure harmony and mutual respect among the
nations of the Continent.
Washington,
October 27,
1944.
