711.31/12–648
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Assistant Chief of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs (Krieg)
Subject: Continuance of Relations between Venezuela and the United States.
| Participants: | Dr. José Rafael Pocaterra, Venezuelan Ambassador-designate to the United States |
| Dr. Antonio Casas-Briceño, Counselor of the Venezuelan Embassy | |
| Mr. Paul C. Daniels, Director for ARA | |
| Mr. William L. Krieg, NWC |
Dr. Pocaterra has just arrived from Venezuela and called to acquaint Mr. Daniels with his views and those of the provisional Venezuelan Government on the subject of continuance of relations with the United States.
Dr. Pocaterra commenced by saying that he had visited Caracas about a month before the coup d’état which overthrew Gallegos and had returned to his post as Ambassador at Rio de Janeiro with the definite impression that a political upset was imminent. He said, however, that he did not wish to discuss Venezuelan internal affairs and the justification for the revolution, but would hand Mr. Daniels a memorandum1 setting forth his views on this subject as well as the related matter of resuming relations.
[Page 138]He said that in his mind the important thing in hemispheric relations was unity. He stated that this had been recognized at the Bogotá Conference by the passage of Resolution 35 and pointed out that continuity of diplomatic relations is a most important factor in maintaining this essential unity. He added that, as it has publicly stated, the provisional Venezuelan Government will govern itself in conformity with its international obligations, and he said he could testify as an eye witness to the fact that quiet reigns all over the country and that life in Caracas has resumed its normal tempo.
Mr. Daniels explained that he was receiving Dr. Pocaterra in his purely personal capacity as a distinguished Venezuelan of outstanding accomplishments. He said that the events in Venezuela were naturally causing a great deal of preoccupation on the part of this Government, and it was a pleasure for him to exchange views with any representative Venezuelan citizen. Dr. Pocaterra said that he understood the informal nature of his reception. In reply to a request that Mr. Daniels acknowledge in writing the receipt of his memorandum, Mr. Daniels said that this would depend on many things including reasons of protocol, but that he would in any case give the memorandum his serious consideration.
Mr. Daniels then asked Dr. Pocaterra whether there had been any foreign influence involved in the Venezuelan revolution. Dr. Pocaterra denied categorically that there had been any such interference and stated that it was a purely domestic matter; that the Army had placed Acción Democrática in power and that they had now removed it.
Mr. Daniels then asked whether the revolution in Venezuela had been, in Dr. Pocaterra’s opinion, a part of an international movement to set up military dictatorships in Latin America. Dr. Pocaterra assured Mr. Daniels earnestly that such is not the case and added that, as a man who had suffered under the Gomez dictatorship,2 he would not lend his name and influence to any such movement.
Thirdly, Mr. Daniels inquired whether, in Dr. Pocaterra’s opinion, the American oil companies had been involved in the revolutionary events. Dr. Pocaterra reiterated that it was a purely Venezuelan matter.
Mr. Daniels then stated that it was not within his power to give Dr. Pocaterra any assurances regarding the continuance of relations with the Venezuelan Government. He assured him, however, that all questions would be resolved in a spirit of good faith and in the desire to maintain the closest and most friendly relations between the United States and the Venezuelan people.