711.23/11–848
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Daniels) to the Acting Secretary of State
Subject: Resumption of Diplomatic Relations with Peru.
Background
Our Ambassador in Lima has received a note (Summary in Tab A1) from the new Minister of Foreign Affairs notifying us that a Military Junta of Government has been established in Peru. The attached telegram (Tab B) contains the text of a note of acknowledgment which our Ambassador is instructed to deliver to the Foreign Minister, thereby establishing diplomatic relations with the new regime.2 A second telegram (Tab C) informs our other Embassies in Latin America of this action.3
All the factors usually taken into consideration in such cases have been weighed in making this recommendation. The Embassy in Lima is in full agreement with it.
In the absence of any compelling reason to the contrary, it is desirable for the United States to maintain diplomatic relations with all Latin American governments. This attitude is in accord with Resolution XXXV of the Bogotá Conference which declares that the continuity of diplomatic relations among the American republics is desirable, and that maintenance of such relations does not imply any judgment upon the domestic policy of another government.
[Page 113]Adoption of that resolution at Bogotá was in large measure motivated by a desire of the American Governments to separate the question of maintaining normal diplomatic relations with other American governments from the question of approval or disapproval of any newly established government. The Bogotá Resolution was also intended to simplify the whole process of establishing relations with new governments, and to this end avoids use of the formal term “recognition”.
On the basis of the general policy set forth in Resolution XXXV, the United States in April 1948, appointed an Ambassador to Nicaragua, whose government we had not recognized for almost a year. Likewise, when a new government seized power in Costa Rica last spring, we instructed our Embassy there, in May, that on the basis of Resolution XXXV they should continue relations with the Costa Rican Government despite the change. Similar action was taken with regard to a forcible change of government in Paraguay in June.
To date, of the American Republics, Argentina and the Dominican Republic have announced that they are maintaining relations with Peru; the Bolivian Foreign Minister has told our Ambassador in La Paz that his government will continue relations with Peru; and the Peruvian Foreign Office has announced that the Paraguayan Ambassador has stated that his country will continue official relations. (Spain’s Ambassador to Lima has informed Ambassador Tittmann that relations between his government and Peru are continuing.)
The Chilean and Uruguayan Governments have indicated they wish to think things over a while because of their disapproval of the seizure of power by the military in general.
The draft press release (Tab E),4 to be issued after our reply has been delivered to the Peruvian Foreign Minister, makes special note of the fact that under Resolution XXXV establishment of relations does not imply approval of the government’s internal character.5
Resumption of relations with Peru does not complicate the position we have taken in the Palestine case where the Provisional Israeli Government was recognized as the de facto government of a completely new state.
Recommendation
That the attached telegrams be signed and the press release initialed.
Concurrences
NEA UNA L