831.01/12–1548
Memorandum by Mr. George H.
Butler, of the Policy Planning Staff, to the Acting Secretary of State
1
Washington, December 15,
1948.
I am returning to you the file on the case of the recognition of the new
Venezuelan Government. The top paper is a re-draft of the circular
telegram to our diplomatic missions in the other American
Republics.2
[Page 146]
This re-draft has been agreed
to by Messrs. Daniels, Woodward, Mills and me, and is submitted for your
consideration.
Immediately underlying the circular telegram is a letter to you from Mr.
Forrestal which encloses a memorandum from the Secretary of the Army
stating that the Department of the Army believes that the recognition of
the new Venezuelan Government is militarily favorable to the United
States. This letter from Mr. Forrestal reached ARA after you had turned the file over to me and so you may
not have seen it.
Mr. Daniels and I will keep in touch with each other regarding any
instructions you may give to either of us regarding subsequent action to
be taken.
[Attachment]
The Secretary of Defense (Forrestal) to the Acting Secretary of
State
top secret
Washington, December 10,
1948.
Dear Mr. Secretary: With reference to our
conversations concerning the wisdom of recognizing or not
recognizing the new Venezuelan Government, I believe you will be
interested in reading the attached memorandum to me from the
Secretary of the Army, dated 9 December 1948. This memorandum was
prepared in response to my inquiry concerning what, if any, military
implications were involved in the recognition or non-recognition of
this new government.
Sincerely yours,
[Sub-Attachment]
The Secretary of the Army (Royall) to the Secretary of Defense (Forrestal)
top secret
Washington, December 9,
1948.
Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense
Subject: Military Implications of Recognition or
Non-Recognition of the New Venezuelan Government.
From the viewpoint of the Department of the Army there are two major
considerations involved in the recognition or non-recognition of the
new Venezuelan Government: first, the need for an uninterrupted
supply of Venezuelan oil for the United States and second, the
desirability of maintaining a U.S. Military Mission in Venezuela.
The
[Page 147]
new Government of
Venezuela may be expected to provide more adequate security measures
for the oil production area than a reinstated Gallegos Government
which would depend for a part of its support on unions sympathetic
to Communistic aims. Recognition of the new Government of Venezuela
would permit the continuance of the U.S. Army Mission in Venezuela,
and the subsequent influencing of a generally pro-United States
element thereby furthering Venezuelan orientation toward the United
States.
The Department of the Army believes that the recognition of the new
Venezuelan Government is militarily favorable to the United
States.
