Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

582. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, December 12, 1956¹

Washington, December 12, 1956

SUBJECT

• Venezuelan Ambassador’s Call to Receive Note on Military Equipment

PARTICIPANTS

• Dr. César Gonzalez, Ambassador of Venezuela
• R.R. Rubottom, Jr., Acting Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs
• Carl E. Bartch, OSA

At Mr. Rubottom’s request, Ambassador González called this afternoon and was handed a note dated December 8, 1956,² approving the Results of the Planning Talks between the United States and Venezuela, and stating that we were prepared to provide credit facilities for the purchase of military equipment for Venezuelan defense units described in the four Annexes to the Results. Mr. Rubottom carefully reviewed the text of the note and informed the Ambassador that the planned $180 million program extending over the next 10 years was dependent not only upon the year-to-year Congressional appropriation of funds to finance it, but also upon annual NAC approval. He explained that the NAC had the responsibility, at the highest level, of reviewing all financial programs of the United States Government.

Mr. Rubottom told the Ambassador that the program had been approved only after efforts extending over many months. He said frankly that there were some who felt that the granting of a credit of this magnitude to Venezuela to purchase military equipment would tend to create an armaments race in Latin America. He said that we did not share this view, and, aware of Venezuela’s strong economic position, are confident that our Government’s approval of the program would only increase the solidarity existing between our two Governments.

The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the note, adding that it was the best Christmas present he could receive. He did not raise any objections to the note or to the credit terms we offered to Venezuela.³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 731.5–MSP/12–1256. Secret. Drafted by Bartch.
2. Not printed. (Ibid., 731.5–MSP/12–856)
3. On February 5, 1957, Ambassador Gonzalez handed Bernbaum note No. 179, dated February 5, 1957, approving the results of the Military Planning Talks concluded at Caracas on March 13, 1956, between military representatives of the United States and Venezuela. The note also accepted the credit facilities offered to Venezuela in the Department’s note of December 8, 1956, for the purchase of U.S. military equipment to implement the defense objectives assigned to Venezuela. (Ibid., 731.5/2–557)