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

501.RA/5–349: Telegram

The Chargé in Peru (Pierrot) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Lima, May 3, 1949—1 p. m.

255. ReDeptel 139, May 2.¹ Foreign Minister Díaz Dulanto summoned me this morning to state that he is informed by Alvardo in Montevideo² that great pressure being brought on him including by American Embassy to induce Peru invite commission investigate Peruvian labor conditions similar invitation extended by Venezuela. Foreign Minister wished me convey to Department following:

(1) That personalities prominent in present ILO conference at Montevideo are unsympathetic to present Peruvian Government and using ILO conference as vehicle for embarrassing this government.

(2) That apparent undue influence of members Uruguayan Government in ILO conference partly responsible for present active efforts embarrass Peru since diplomatic relations do not exist between the two countries. Foreign Minister added that Montevideo was poor choice for seat of ILO conference for this reason so far as Peru is concerned.

(3) That Peruvian Government will not invite investigation and if delegation named by conference to conduct such investigation it would not be admitted to Peru.

I expressed to Foreign Minister our practice and belief in trade union freedom and abhorrence of deprival freedom of association inherent in ILO Constitution and UN Charter as expressed Deptel 139. However, since he insisted no prisoners held on charges labor union activities and that union leaders imprisoned are included among large number others who with them are charged with and being tried for complicity in October 3rd revolt³ I spoke to him along lines of last paragraph Deptel 139.⁴

Foreign Minister pointed out that arrests for October 3rd revolt including some labor leaders were made by Constitutional Bustamante Government and not by Odría administration.⁵

In response to specific inquiry as to grounds on which Peruvian Government would refuse to permit ILO investigation of labor conditions in Peru, Foreign Minister replied that Peruvian Government would consider such actions as intervention in Peru’s internal affairs.

Foreign Minister pointed out that Junta’s labor policy is supported by majority of labor in Peru and opposed mainly by professional APRA organizers and agitators; that country’s interests has suffered from work stoppages resulting from strikes under previous government; that Junta’s legislation has provided means for considering labor demands without resort to strikes and that under present government this system has worked satisfactorily without economic disruption and that in practically all cases government commission investigating labor demands has granted wage increases satisfactory to labor. Minister added that any ILO sponsored investigating group would be prejudiced against Odría administration and that any information on labor conditions here needed by ILO might be obtained from foreign embassies, particularly American, which have ample means for procuring complete and impartial information.

Sent Department, repeated Montevideo.

Pierrot

1. Not printed. This telegram was also sent to Montevideo, as telegram 108, and its contents are summarized in footnote 5 to the memorandum by Mr. Rusk, dated June 2, p. 800.
2. The Fourth Conference of American States Members of the International Labor Organization met at Montevideo from April 25 to May 8, 1949.
3. Reference is to an unsuccessful revolutionary attempt at Callao on October 3, 1948 by naval and civilian elements.
4. This portion of telegram 139 indicated that it should not be the United States position at Montevideo that the ILO had authority to intervene in domestic affairs, nor that labor leaders were entitled to rights beyond those enjoyed by other citizens (501.RA/4–3049).
5. Late in October 1948, the government of President José Luís Bustamante y Rivero had been overthrown by an armed forces revolt led by General Manuel Odría, who became President of the Military Junta of Government in Peru. For documentation on U.S. recognition of the Odría regime, see Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. ix, pp. 111 ff.