839.113/12–947
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs (Mills)
| Participants: | Dr. Gonzalo Carnevali, Venezuelan Ambassador |
| Dr. Falcón-Briceño, Minister-Counselor of the Venezuelan Embassy | |
| Mr. Paul C. Daniels, Director for American Republic Affairs | |
| Mr. Sheldon T. Mills, NWC |
Dr. Falcón-Briceño stated that he had told the Ambassador of his conversations with Mr. Daniels on December 5. The Ambassador thereupon spoke with great feeling regarding the “calumnies” of his country by the Dominicans and of threat to Venezuela of the Dominican armament program. He stated all efforts by Venezuela to induce Brazil to cancel the projected sale of armaments to the Dominican Republic had failed.
In reply to a question, he stated that the former Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Dr. Morales, arrived in Rio on Monday, December 8, and he did not have a report of the results of Dr. Morales’ representations to Brazilian Foreign Minister Fernandes. Dr. Carnevali added he would send an urgent telegram requesting that he be kept currently posted on the results of these negotiations. He expressed great pessimism as to the outcome.
The Venezuelan Ambassador then stated he had proof the Dominican government was transferring or had transferred $6,000,000 to Brazil to pay for the armament purchases and arming on such a scale could only be because of designs on some foreign country, probably Venezuela. He also said the private yacht of President Trujillo was already in Rio and probably loading arms at the moment.
(A telegram from the American Consul in Trinidad, dated December 6, reported the Trujillo yacht cleared Port-of-Spain on November 29).
The Venezuelan Ambassador then referred to the circular sent to diplomatic and consular officers in 1945 by the private secretary of the President instructing them to offer the hospitality of the Dominican Republic to political exiles from Venezuela. Dr. Carnevali stated that in Trinidad Venezuelan exiles had flocked aboard the Trujillo yacht.
(The December 6 telegram from Trinidad reports advice from the Colonial Government that there are no dangerous Venezuelan political exiles there).
[Page 137]Mr. Daniels expressed a hope that the tense relations between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic could be eased. He referred to a new departure in Inter-American procedure created by the circular letter which the Venezuelan Ambassador sent to colleagues on the Governing Board of the Pan American Union last Friday.17 Mr. Daniels urged that no precipitate action be taken at the present time which would prejudice pacifying action which might be taken as a consequence of the Ambassador’s initiative.
Dr. Carnevali pleaded for support by the American Embassy in Rio of Dr. Morales’ efforts with the Brazilian Foreign Minister. He suggested the American Embassy ask the Brazilian Foreign Minister for precise information on the armaments covered by the sale. Mr. Daniels was sympathetic but noncommital although he indicated some such approach might be possible.
(Later in the day the Department sent to Rio a telegraphic instruction calling for discreet inquiry and report on the progress being made by Dr. Morales in his negotiations, and information on the precise armaments covered by the Brazilian-Dominican arrangement.)
With respect to the scope of the arrangement, Mr. Daniels suggested that the Venezuelan Ambassador approach his Brazilian colleague, Mr. Carlos Martíns, and request data on the armaments covered by the sale. During such an approach it would also be possible to impress Martins with the serious view which Venezuela took of the sale.
- A copy of the letter of December 4, 1947, which was sent on December 5 by the Venezuelan Representative on the Governing Board of the Pan American Union, not printed, was transmitted in circular instruction of December 23 to Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics (731.39/12–2347).↩