711.35/7–2646
The Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs (Braden) to the Ambassador in Argentina (Messersmith)
Dear George: I am terribly sorry that the Department’s telegram No. 898 of July 2, 6 p.m. (to which you refer in your letter to me of July 2699 and in the Embassy’s despatch No. 438 of July 26) caused you the slightest annoyance or gave you the impression that there is any doubt here in respect of your understanding of the basic elements of the problem of Argentine compliance.
We were concerned exclusively as to the possible attitude of the Argentine Government and your assurances in this particular give us the answer. I am sure you will appreciate our desire to be as thorough and prompt as possible in bringing to your attention any and every doubt or reservation which we may entertain at any time on this difficult problem. Only in this way can we obtain the benefit of the Embassy’s views to correct misapprehensions that may develop. I say this because in thirty odd years of cable communications between the United States and Latin America, on important matters, both personal and official, I have learned that it is necessary to spell things out in the simplest and fullest terms and frequently to say what appears to be obvious; otherwise misunderstandings inevitably arise.
It was in this spirit that I gave careful consideration to the cable before it was sent and must accept my full share of responsibility therefor. The cable was discussed with and approved by Briggs, Butler, Spaeth and Mann, and signed by the Acting Secretary.
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Faithfully yours,
- Not printed.↩