501.BB/12–346: Telegram
The Chargé in Spain (Bonsal) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—12:05 a.m.]
1699. Following is text of note verbale handed to me by Spanish Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs today re Connally Resolution in United Nations General Assembly:
Minister for Foreign Affairs presents compliments to American Embassy and has honor set forth following:
- (1)
- Spanish Government expresses regrets to United States Government re terms motion presented American delegation before Political Security Committee United Nations Assembly in which are expressed completely inexact ideas re Spanish people and Government which offend Spanish nation.
- (2)
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(a) Spanish people rejects adjective Fascist applied it in aforesaid resolution since regime has no relations totalitarian systems as it is regime respecting fundamental liberties human personality and in which exercise of authority adjusted rules of law.
(b) Spanish people know regime set up July 18, 1936, not imposed through force. People achieved regime through own effort and at price its blood in struggle against Communist tyranny which had seized country and was dominating it through crime. Proof legitimacy is fact that all world nations except Mexico and Russia and including United States recognized national regime as soon as civil war ended and have maintained normal diplomatic relations 7 years.
(c) Spanish people denies regime owes existence alleged Axis countries. Foreign volunteers in Nationalist ranks did not reach 2 percent total strength as is demonstrated pay and ration rolls in archives campaign. On other hand these volunteers only admitted National Army after proof arrival Communist international brigades in ranks Red Army.
(d) Spanish people do not admit statement its regime unrepresentative since during 10 years Spanish nation has given full enthusiastic [Page 1083] proofs not only of consent but of support its Government and is demonstrating loyalty in spite incitements to rebellion received from abroad and notwithstanding machinations against its peace and security concocted other side Pyrenees.
(e) Spanish people denies regime obstructs participation Spain in United Nations if latter respects as it should principle sovereignty and independence of peoples. No nation has so many rights to contribute to work of peace as Spanish nation which in addition age old international tradition has been able in spite of difficulties to remain neutral in two world-wide conflagrations this century and during last of these specifically thanks present Government.
(f) Spanish people rejects accusation its Government does not respect individual liberties. In Spain basic liberties, human personality are defined, respected and protected: personal security; true religion; liberty education and teaching; liberty of labor and as for political liberties, those which regime recognizes are much more sincere and far above pretended democratic protestations of some of countries bearing initiative in accusation.
(g) Spanish people repels energetically intervention internal affairs: accusations from abroad against institutions, excitement to subversion and rebellion and dictation from abroad of road which it must follow.
- (3)
- Consequently Spanish Government strongly regrets that without doubt because of lack of information or perhaps as concession to circumstances American delegation in Assembly of United Nations, Spain being absent has expressed itself in terms which, although they will not produce any positive effect, offend Spanish nation because they are unjust.