151. Memorandum of a Conversation, White House, Washington, June 23, 19581

SUBJECT

  • Courtesy Call of New Argentine Ambassador on President Eisenhower

PARTICIPANTS

  • President Eisenhower
  • Sr. Dr. Don Barros Hurtado, Ambassador of Argentina
  • ARA—Mr. Rubottom

Mr. Rubottom introduced the new Argentine Ambassador, Dr. Barros Hurtado, to the President, whereupon they exchanged envelopes containing the required protocolary documents.

The President inquired regarding the general situation in Argentina. Ambassador Barros Hurtado replied to the effect that President Frondizi had started off well and should consolidate his political forces within the next six months. He commented on his long acquaintance with the President and stated that he expected to reflect fully the latter’s high regard, as well as that of the Argentine people, for the United States during his mission here. He recalled that he had known the United States well during the past 25 years after many visits, including a visit to the Columbia University during the Presidency of Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, and later, during the incumbency of the President while he was head of that University.

The Ambassador then handed the President a personal letter from President Frondizi.2 There being no English translation attached, Mr. Rubottom translated the key paragraphs referring to: (1) the economic problems in the hemisphere and in Argentina, and (2) the effect of these problems on international relations.

The President expressed general agreement with the significance of the economic problems in the hemisphere, then added that he still felt that there was a lack of comprehension on the part of Latin America as to the extent of United States economic support for the area. He pointed out that the United States itself has many economic and political problems and that the Government is not always able to do as much as it would like to do in the way of assistance. The [Page 486] President requested the Ambassador to express appreciation to President Frondizi for the letter and said that he would be replying to it shortly.

The Ambassador rose to depart and observed to the President that he was delighted to find him in such good health and that he felt that the whole world owed him respect and appreciation for the leadership role he had been carrying out.

  1. Source: Department of State, President’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 66 D 149. Official Use Only. Drafted by Rubottom.
  2. Not found attached to the source text. For President Frondizi’s letter to President Eisenhower and Eisenhower’s reply, see Department of State Bulletin, August 4, 1958, pp. 209–210.