811.91235/7–1545: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina ( Braden ) to the Secretary of State

1533. On July 13 John Nasht, Newsweek correspondent, cabled report containing some incorrect though unimportant information on [Page 520] Argentina. At 7 p.m. July 14, policemen Arbutti and González Cane and delegate of Press and Information Secretariat Juan S. Mollard visited Nasht at his hotel to inform him that they were under instructions to obtain by persuasion or by force a written retraction from him. They endeavored to inveigle him into a taxi but finally after his repeated refusal they requested him to go with them to Ministry of Interior. This he refused to do. When exercising his rights as an American citizen Nasht attempted to notify the Embassy by telephone, the policemen made it clear that until he signed statement he would not be allowed to communicate with anybody whatsoever nor to leave the country. A bystander overhearing this conversation unbeknownst to three officials got Embassy on phone. When call came through and receiver was handed to Nasht Secretariat delegate snatched it from his hands and hung up. Feeling that any further resistance was futile Nasht signed statement. Nasht left for Rio this morning’s plane.

Braden