710. Consultation 4/7–847: Telegram
The Chargé in Uruguay (Sparks) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
297. Depcirtel July 3. Uruguayan general attitude reported Embtel 276, June 27.28 Foreign Minister29 states Uruguayan desires Rio treaty [Page 15] to represent advance in efficacy of Inter-American system. He considers draft treaty fails to satisfy Uruguayan aspirations for immediate effective assistance in case of armed attack and that contemplated consultations do not afford desired assurances. He points out decisions are binding only on those concurring and with two-thirds vote seven states could be free to abstain from implementing. He is concerned that if those not concurring included US, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, decisions would be inoperative. He also mentioned long time required for consultations and remarked Uruguay could be completely overrun in 15 days.
In discussion Foreign Minister recognized majority of states probably would be reluctant to make prior specific commitments for military assistance but should not be opposed to requirements for breaking relations, suspension of communications and severance of economic relations. Nevertheless, he holds categorical opinion that treaty should specify definitely military and other measures to be invoked automatically in case armed attack and that without such specific commitments treaty will be viewed as postponement if not step backward in evolution of practical meaning of American solidarity.
I mentioned declared opposition by Herreristas to Rio treaty. Foreign Minister remarked that government could anticipate less internal opposition to present draft than what he proposes but Uruguay adheres to its traditional foreign policy and aspires that treaty represent real contribution to Inter-American system.