100. Notes of the Secretary’s Staff Meeting, Department of State, Washington, August 21, 19591

[Here follows discussion of unrelated subjects.]

3. Santiago Conference

Mr. Rubottom described the conference as very successful and saw the following as the main achievements: (1) reaffirmation of established principle of non-intervention, (2) strengthening of the authority of the Peace Commission (the most important result) and (3) creation of a forum for complaints regarding human rights etc. Mr. Rubottom emphasized the importance of the Secretary’s participation and said he had concluded that we should support the 5 or 6 Latin American Governments following democratic policies compatible with our own goals for the area. The Secretary emphasized the obsession of the Latin American countries with economic development and the need for clarification and priorities to guide us and the other countries [Page 347] in connection with the various organizations created in this connection. Brazil presents special problems in Mr. Rubottom’s mind but we must not allow them to bluff us into ill-considered actions. Mr. Mann agreed with Mr. Murphy that the Communists might use Brazil and suggested we play the game carefully during the remaining fourteen months of the present regime.

[Here follows discussion of unrelated subjects.]

  1. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75. Secret. Prepared by John A. Calhoun. An attendance list of 21 persons is attached to the source text, but not printed.