852.00/11–1946: Telegram
The Chargé in Spain (Bonsai) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 207:15 a.m.]
1650. In course lengthy conversation yesterday Foreign Minister confirmed previous statements that as long as Spanish Government subject to outside pressure it is unable to take steps along path of political evolution which government believes desirable. He repeated that events past year and particularly Communist-inspired maneuvers in UN have delayed progress here. He made plea for greater understanding on part of western countries and expressed thought some of US at last beginning to realize extent Communist menace. Attitude in general was confident as to ability regime to defend itself from internal enemies and defiant re outside pressures. In many ways he echoed Franco’s AP interview. (Embtel 1632, November 14, repeated London 410, Paris 411).76
[Page 1080]I set forth to Minister as clearly as possible our policy, concluding that present Spanish regime could not anticipate either normal relations with US or participation in international activities.
Minister indicated that attitude that present is not appropriate time for political evolution here based upon following factors in addition general international situation:
- (a)
- Recent bombings and shootings in Madrid indicative of need for close control of subversive elements in order to avoid return to civil war conditions (Minister spoke feelingly of his own civil war experiences and of assassination several of his relations).
- (b)
- Since French elections Spanish intelligence services have received information indicating unfriendly activities originating in France, such as contraband trade in arms, munitions and infiltration agents, will be shortly much intensified. Specific data on this subject to be furnished me shortly. Situation said to make impossible any reduction Spanish armed forces on frontier.
- (c)
- Spanish Government worried at evidences Communist influence even in US and Great Britain. Division in British Labor Party, activities of labor unions in US and particularly TWA strike cited by Minister as evidence this penetration.
Minister also referred critical food situation and scandalous profiteering, expressing hope of improvement due government measures re distribution, excellent olive oil prospects and Argentine trade agreement “which gives us breathing spell”. (Bilbao strike mentioned Embtel 1632, November 1477 apparently settled for present.)
Repeated London 412, Paris 415.
- Not printed. In Associated Press interview on November 14, Franco stated that Spain did not wish to consider possibility of United Nations membership at that time, denied authority of the United Nations Assembly to consider the Spanish problem, and reiterated the position of his regime that the United Nations maneuvers relating to Spain were Soviet-inspired (852.00/11–1446).↩
- Not printed.↩