810.50 Rio de Janeiro/12–1448
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of River Plate Affairs (Tewksbury)
| Participants: | Dr. Domínguez Cámpora—Uruguayan Ambassador |
| Mr. Daniels—Director, ARA | |
| Mr. Tewksbury—RPA |
Dr. Domínguez Cámpora devoted considerable time to a discussion of the implementation of the Rio Treaty and to the appropriate procedure to be followed in the handling of the present case of Costa Rica by the Organization of American States.1
Dr. Domínguez Cámpora also made reference to reports that the United States favored the formation of an Austral bloc and possibly even supported Argentina in this. I assured Dr. Domínguez Cámpora that this Government regarded each of the other twenty American republics as completely independent from a juridical and political point of view and that this Government fully respected this independence. I pointed out that this Government has at no time given any indication of supporting a nation which was seeking to extend its influence over its neighbors. Dr. Domínguez Cámpora said that he felt very much reassured at my statement and would pass this on to President Batlle Berres.
The Uruguayan Ambassador then reverted to his discussion of the [Page 754] Rio Treaty and specifically inquired what the position of the United States would be in the event of an armed aggression by Argentina. I replied that, in the case of a clear-cut military aggression, the United States would be guided by its obligations as set forth in the Rio Treaty and would lend assistance. Dr. Domínguez Cámpora then mentioned the fact that, in the case of armed aggression, there were two types of assistance provided under the Treaty (Art. 3): (1) immediate assistance and (2) assistance after consultation; and he asked if I would indicate which type of assistance the United States could be counted on to lend. I remarked that specific conditions might govern this situation and that I would want to give careful thought to the subject before giving him a definite answer.