Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, American Republics, Volume V

258. Memorandum From the Ambassador in Brazil (Briggs) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)¹

Washington, October 30, 1958.

SUBJECT

• Call on the President²

I called on the President early this morning and made the following observations:

The President’s prompt and cordial response last June to President Kubitschek’s letter not only produced an excellent effect at that time but has also provided us with continuing dividends. In particular, our response to the “Operation Pan America” suggestion, followed by the Secretary’s visit, had done much to stem the tide of virus nationalism, which has in fact appeared to recede and was not an issue of prime consequence during the electoral campaign terminating early this month.

Future development with respect to “Operation Pan America” of course remain to be seen, although it is evident that the excellent preliminary foundations have been laid. I observed that we should not under estimate the attractiveness to Brazil and other Latin American countries of Kubitschek’s thesis that under-development is the root of all evil, that under-development exists at least in part because of U.S. “neglect” of Latin America since the war, and hence the way to solve that problem is to obtain additional U.S. aid. I said we would undoubtedly hear more of this at the meeting to be held next month.³

I also remarked that although important measures in the economic field have been taken by the new Finance Minister,⁴ nevertheless Brazil probably faces difficult economic sledding during the next few years and Brazil will come to us in 1959, probably early in 1959, for additional assistance. I expressed the view that, notwithstanding the clouds on the near horizon, my confidence in the future of Brazil remains unimpaired.

I likewise made a brief reference to the Brazilian elections, indicating that the results were more favorable, in terms of Brazil’s future and Brazil’s relations with the United States, than we had anticipated.⁵

The only other subject discussed was woodcock.

In view of the early hour of the appointment—8:30 a.m.—reporters were scarce. I was waylaid by Ken worthy of UP and the France Presse representative, who asked only routine questions including my travel plans. I indicated that the President and I had discussed Brazilian-American relations and said they are in excellent shape. I answered in the affirmative the question whether Operation Pan America had been discussed.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.32/10–3058. Confidential. Drafted by Briggs.
2. In an October 23 memorandum to the President, Acting Secretary Herter stated that Ambassador Briggs would be on consultation in Washington, October 27–31, and had asked for a brief appointment with the President. (ibid., 611.32/10–2358)
3. Reference is to the First Meeting of the Special Committee of the Council of the Organization of American States To Study the Formulation of New Measures for Economic Cooperation (Committee of 21) at Washington, November 17-December 12. Documentation on this meeting is ibid., File 363. For text of the remarks made before the Committee by Under Secretary Dillon on November 18, see Department of State Bulletin, December 8, 1959, p. 918.
4. Lucas Lopes.
5. On October 3, Brazil held elections for a new Chamber of Deputies, one-third of the Federal Senate, 11 state governors, and numerous state and municipal assemblies. The elections resulted in little change in the strength of political parties in the Congress. Documentation on the elections is in Department of State, Central File 732.00(W).