Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

824.00/9–249: Telegram

The Chargé in Argentina (Mallory) to the Secretary of State

confidential
niact

Buenos Aires, September 2, 1949—6 p. m.

759. Yesterday had appointment Foreign Minister¹ but broken and saw Under Secretary. Touched on Bolivian situation in passing and clear he uninformed.

Deptel 564, September 2 [1] and La Paz telegram unnumbered August 31 arrived very opportunely.² Late last night, Foreign Office stated President³ would receive me 10 a. m. today. President had Bolivian Ambassador and Foreign Minister present. President immediately began by speaking at length of diffusion Perónist ideas in other countries, especially contiguous, saying no embargo on ideas but what succeeded in Argentina not necessarily applicable elsewhere. Stated had no interest what happened other countries. Refuted flatly charges he endeavored foment revolt Chile, Peru. Said revolt Chile easily purchasable five million pesos but Argentina uninterested. However, other countries appeared resent Argentina’s successes. Stated bluntly there was bad faith in Chile and Uruguay and that charges of Argentine intervention affairs other countries fomented by them. Stated had ample documentary proof exhibiting large photostat chart diagramming Junta Americana Defensa de la Democracia on which name John Griffiths noted.⁴ Said activities could grow same way as notorious Caribbean Legion⁵ and eventually profit Communists. Stated bad faith and activities other countries unfortunate and if continued grow, he might be forced take measures. Stated with reference Bolivian situation, his information that Governments Chile and Bolivia arranged concordant representations their Ambassadors in Rio and Washington implicating Argentina in Bolivian uprising. Said this likewise bad faith. Said in view above, had requested presence Bolivian and myself for amicable discussion. Preferred work things out without discord. Said Bolivia aware Argentine measures for internment etc. exiles others in Argentina and he unable take additional measures unless he closed Bolivian frontier. This, he said, would serve no good purpose.

Bolivia[n] related border incidents passage people to Bolivia stating had no doubts good faith and word President but appeared there had been lack compliance orders and vigilance lower echelons. As conversation developed, President successively called in Chief Federal Police Bertollo, Acting Minister War Lucero and head Gendarmery Martini. In lengthy discussion details, each officer maintained strictness orders and probity of men but explanations weak especially General Bertollo as Bolivian Ambassador able cite people, dates, places. This discussion ended in Perón’s orders for increased vigilance.

Bolivian Ambassador pointing out esteem for Perón among laboring classes other countries said President’s name often used incorrectly and rebel groups Bolivia stated Peron ready aid them. Made specific point rebels statements that aircraft and munitions would be flown from Argentina to Bolivian rebels. Argentines said this not possible. Ambassador requested increased vigilance all airfields etc., and orders given Minister Air increase vigilance.

Bolivian Ambassador made reference Argentine press, noting overnight change tone certain newspapers previously friendly Bolivia. Perón countered with long explanation absence control press Argentina and some previous attacks in Bolivian press on Argentina.

Bolivian, whose statements and conduct throughout were firm and clear, reiterated his faith in words and statements of President but left little doubt preoccupation of some possible assistance to rebels and kept harping on personalities, exiles etc., I then entered conversation saying I was unaware any initiative Chile Bolivian Governments against Argentina as President declared and that while discussion numerous details of great interest, position of US was as always interest in maintenance peace and lack interference internal affairs other countries. I said audience with President and Foreign Minister opportune as had this morning received communication my Government’s concern Bolivia and instruction bring to attention Argentina our traditional stand and hopes no other country would interfere domestic affairs Bolivia. Mentioned rumors outside help or interference. Mentioned need for some calmness and took opportunity without specifically mentioning Argentine Ambassador to relate events contained La Paz unnumbered telegram, August 31, saying representatives other countries La Paz should also maintain calm and not interfere pointing out danger de facto recognition belligerence etc. All, especially President Peron, heartily agreed. Finally, Bolivian Ambassador summarized conversation again touching on need real vigilance Argentine authorities to which President Peron replied by clear declaration that Argentina had not and would not interfere domestic affairs other countries.

Perón apparently sincere in statement and frank exchange may clear air between Argentina and Bolivia. However, my impression Perón resents role of whipping boy assigned him and could react strongly if anything resembling campaign directed against Argentina. Argentine good faith may remain to be shown but at this point, little basis prove complicity.

Sent Department Niact 759, repeated La Paz, Santiago, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro.

Mallory

1. Hipó1ito Jesus Paz.
2. Neither printed. The unnumbered telegram referred to was presumably a repeat of telegram 493, August 31, from La Paz, which gave a very brief summary of the incident recorded in telegram 494 from La Paz, supra. In telegram 493, Mr. Espy expressed apprehension about possible Argentine recognition of the state of civil war in Bolivia and the belligerency of the MNR forces, which might then lead to Argentina’s supplying arms to those forces (824.00/8–3149). In telegram 564, September 1, to Buenos Aires, the Embassy was instructed to discuss at an early appointment with the Argentine Foreign Minister the question of U.S. concern over the Bolivian situation and particularly the possibility of foreign influence therein (824.00/9–149).
3. Juan D. Perón.
4. Mr. Griffiths, Cultural Attaché and Special Assistant in the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, 1941–1946, had been accused by the Argentine Government in 1948 and 1949 of being involved in a plot to assassinate President and Mrs. Perón.
5. A group of political exiles and military men from countries in the Caribbean area with the alleged aim of overthrowing certain dictatorial governments in the area.