212. Memorandum of a Conversation, San Carlos de Bariloche, February 28, 1960, 2:15 p.m.1
PARTICIPANTS
- US
- Secretary Herter
- Assistant Secretary Rubottom
- Argentina
- President Frondizi
- Foreign Minister Taboada
- Ambassador Del Carril
- Minister Orfila
SUBJECT
- Argentine Military Budget
The President said that he was much concerned about the drain on his budget caused by the armed forces. He hoped to reduce their budget deficit by reorganizing and reducing the size of the armed forces, especially the army. It is still necessary to have sufficient forces, adequately trained and equipped, to help maintain internal order. Argentina plans to reduce the twelve months’ conscription period to [Page 618] six months and to develop a cadre of well-trained professional soldiers. This will require that they have modern arms and good transportation.
The President recalled that the 12½ million dollars credit extended by the U.S. to Argentina last year for defense purposes had gone principally to the Air Force and Navy with only a small amount for the Army. They had had to pay 10 percent down with the balance due in three years, this constituting a heavy drain on their limited funds. The Secretary pointed out that modern equipment costs far more than old-style equipment would and that the personnel using the equipment require a longer, and hence more expensive, period of training. Mr. Rubottom recalled that the credit extended last year had originally been intended to be approximately equally divided among the three services. He expressed the hope any future discussions regarding military subjects, and especially if purchases were involved, would be carried on through the Ambassador and not through the attachés of the separate services.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1596. Confidential. Drafted by Rubottom. See also Documents 209–211 and 213.↩