Editorial Note

Documents in files 731.5622 and 731.5811 for 1950 indicate that on July 7, 1950, the Department, on the recommendation of Ambassador Donnelly, approved the extension by the Department of the Air Force of an official invitation to Lt. Col. Felix Roman Moreno, Chief of Staff of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, to visit the United States. Since the previous February the Defense Department had favored this invitation, partly for reasons of protocol and partly to stimulate the interest of the Venezuelan Government in United States jet aircraft.

Previously the State Department, while willing to approve the sale of such aircraft to Venezuela under certain circumstances, had wished to separate this issue from that of military visits, or at the least to ensure that Colonel Moreno’s visit be under private instead of public auspices. In a memorandum to Mr. Miller of May 15, Willard F. Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, had said in part: “The Department has strong political reasons for not wishing to invite leading Venezuelan military officers to the United States. This is particularly true at the present time when the recent strikes in the oil fields and among other unions in Venezuela have revealed the deep and widespread dislike of the military government in Venezuela on the part of large sectors of the people.” (731.5622/5–1550)

In recommending reversal of this policy, Ambassador Donnelly stated in part: “Since Air Force invited other chiefs LA air forces to visit US as their guests, I feel similar courtesy should be extended Moreno. I have some doubt he would accept invitation by private [Page 1041] interests, but he would be highly honored receive invitation from Air Force. Further he been led believe invitation would be extended by General [Hoyt S.] Vandenberg [Chief of Staff, United States Air Force].” Ambassador Donnelly added in part that Colonel Moreno was “definitely” friendly to the United States and that he would play an important role in plans for protecting the oil fields in the event of serious emergency and in implementing any program for joint action with the United States in case of war. (Telegram 12 from Caracas, July 6, 731.5811/7–650)

For the Department’s policy regarding sale of jet aircraft to Venezuela, see the memorandum of June 1 from Mr. Miller to John Foster Dulles, Consultant to the Secretary of State, scheduled for publication in volume I.