822.00/9–447
Memorandum of Conversation, By Mr. George H. Owen of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs
| Participants: | Ambassador L. Neftali Ponce of Ecuador |
| Mr. Sheldon T. Mills | |
| Mr. James Espy | |
| Mr. George H. Owen |
Ambassador Ponce of Ecuador called at the Department this afternoon at his request. He stated that, according to the latest information from Ecuador available to him, the government of Mariano Suarez Veintimilla, constitutionally designated Vice President under Velasco’s administration, was, unquestionably, in effective control of the country with a cabinet of distinguished Ecuadorans.
He added that there probably remained some differences originating in conflicting views of certain Army officers, but that these were undoubtedly of minor importance and that public opinion overwhelmingly is in support of the Suarez government. He stated that he had heard of the reported movement in Guayaquil or Ambato under Colonel Girón but that it was not clear whether Girón was acting in opposition to Suarez or not, since Girón is reported to have announced that he had taken charge of the government of the Guayaquil area by order of Colonel Angel Baquero, who is the minister of Defense of the Suarez Government.
Señor Ponce then read the attached memorandum No. 201, dated September 4, 1947,13 which states that Constitutional order, momentarily deranged, has been restored in Ecuador. The memorandum describes the coup of Colonel Mancheno as a “censurable act of force” which has been rejected by public opinion, and that Vice President Suarez, from the very beginning of Mancheno’s regime had requested that the Government be transferred to him in accordance with the Constitution, which Colonel Mancheno refused to do; that this movement to re-establish constitutional order has now triumphed completely. The memorandum then states that the Council of State, on [Page 671] September 3, 1947, has called on Suarez to assume the Presidency in accordance with the Constitution and has convened the National Congress for September 15. The Memorandum concludes with an assurance that the restoration of the constitutional regime has been welcomed with general approval.
Mr. Mills inquired whether a statement such as this memorandum had been made to other governments. Ambassador Ponce replied that he was leaving the memorandum with the Department in accordance with a circular instruction which the Ecuadoran Foreign Office had sent to all the Ecuadoran Missions in the American Republics. He added that he was also instructed to say that the Government of Suarez maintains that, since constitutional government has been restored, the matter of recognition is now solved and relations between Ecuador and other countries should be considered normal.
It was made clear to Señor Ponce by Mr. Mills that the memorandum was accepted informally, without implication of any decision on behalf of the Department on the matter of recognition, since the Department would have to study this matter in the light of current developments. Señor Ponce agreed that the Department was, of course, within its rights in wishing to study the matter of recognition further in the light of these events.
Mr. Mills inquired whether it was suggested that matters be held in abeyance until September 15 when the Congress convenes and takes appropriate action under the provisions of the constitution. Señor Ponce replied that, while it is true that Congress actually has the last word in deciding the issues involved, the decision of the Council of State of September 3, calling on Suarez to assume the Presidency may be considered decisive since the Council of State is established by the Constitution to determine constitutional questions.
Mr. Espy inquired as to what Señor Ponce considered to be his personal status as Ambassador. Señor Ponce replied that he had sent his resignation on the day following Mancheno’s assumption of power, but that no action had been taken on his resignation, and that since the lawful government has been re-established, he considers himself to be the regularly appointed Ambassador of Ecuador.
Señor Ponce also pointed out that one further difficulty may arise in the event that former President Velasco should enter Ecuador and wish to be reinstated as President. Ponce believes that there would be considerable opposition to this and that further difficulties would then have to be expected. He stated that it was unlikely that Velasco would succeed in entering Ecuador since the group in power in Guayaquil had specifically denied him permission to land there.
- Not printed.↩