242. Telegram From the Embassy in Brazil to the Department of State1

1594. President Kubitschek sent for me yesterday morning and after referring to conversations with President Eisenhower prior to Brazilian inauguration2 and at Panama meeting in 1956,3 showed me [Page 677] text of proposed 4-page letter to President4 for early delivery by Ambassador Peixoto. Letter suggests Brazil-United States consultation with view examining present status of Panamericanism in light experiences of Vice President Nixon,5 in order thereupon take steps to reestablish “continental unity”.

After expressing indignation over treatment of Vice President, message stated that while insults were undoubted work of “insurgent minority” our enemies nevertheless succeeded in striking damaging blow at ideals of hemispheric unity and that their propaganda is now directed toward presenting existing misunderstandings as demonstrations of “prevailing incompatibility” of our hemisphere community life. Letter continues that Kubitschek has no detailed plan to offer but would welcome “early opportunity to confide in President” since he believes it is high time we jointly undertake an examination of fundamentals. We should ask ourselves, letter urges, whether we are doing our utmost to “weld union of our aspirations and interests” as demanded by existing dangerous world situation (end summary of letter).

Although couched in general terms suggestion in letter would clearly encompass primary discussion Commie penetration and activities would not rule out others.

I called yesterday afternoon on Foreign Minister Macedo Soares who stated that although communication not drafted by Foreign Office (see separate telegram),6 he fully informed regarding Kubitschek’s initiative which closely corresponds his own views and that Nunes Leal, chief of President’s civil household would take letter to Washington for Ambassador Peixoto personally to deliver. From Foreign Minister’s comments I gather he is not at this time thinking of inter-American consultation but believes that Brazil regards [it as?] exceptionally difficult for American Government, considers that bilateral exchange of views on executive plane would result in useful clarification. Macedo Soares mentioned that in his judgment most important sentence in letter is one saying that although Kubitschek does not have detailed plan he would welcome opportunity to confide in President [Page 678] Eisenhower. To Foreign Minister this offers opportunity for United States to accept in principle and request Kubitschek’s further views which Foreign Minister added he is now beginning to draft.

In view importance Kubitschek attaches this initiative as well as subject matter, I hope White House appointment for Ambassador Peixoto can be arranged with minimum delay after his request received.

Briggs
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/5–2358. Secret; Limit Distribution.
  2. For documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1955–1957, vol. VII, p. 692.
  3. Reference is to the meeting of the American Presidents in Panama, July 21–22, 1956. For documentation, see ibid., p. 710.
  4. For text of President Kubitschek’s letter of May 28, delivered by Ambassador Peixoto to President Eisenhower on June 5, see Pubic Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1958, p. 464.
  5. Reference is to hostile demonstrations in Lima and Caracas during Nixon’s trip to South America, April 27–May 15, 1958; see Documents 42 ff.
  6. In telegram 1595, May 23, Briggs reported that Brazilian Presidential Adviser Augusto Frederico Schmidt told Wallner that Kubitschek’s letter was the product of a study group which he headed in Catete, the Presidential palace. (Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/5–2358)