Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, American Republics; Cuba 1961–1962; Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath, Volumes X/XI/XII, Microfiche Supplement

111. Memorandum of conversation, August 7, between President Kennedy and Foreign Minister Ponce¹

August 7, 1963

SUBJECT

• Farewell Call of departing Ecuadorean Ambassador, the New Foreign Minister

PARTICIPANTS

• The President
• Dr. Neftalí PONCE Miranda, Foreign Minister of Ecuador
• Mr. Ralph A. Dungan, Special Assistant to the President
• Mr. Taylor G. Belcher, Director, Office of West Coast Affairs

Dr. Ponce thanked the President for receiving him on such short notice, saying that aside from wishing to say good-by and thank him for all his kindness and hospitality during his two years here, he was under instructions from his Government to deliver a message from the Junta. He wanted to emphasize the desire of the new Government to work quickly and closely with the United States in achieving the goals of the Alliance for Progress. His Government was hopeful that they could get off to a good start utilizing the enthusiasm and the determination which were now apparent in the country. He said that for the first time it was obvious that there was a will on the part of the Government and the people as a whole to move forward.

The President inquired regarding the pending development programs, and Mr. Dungan said that there were a number in the pipeline which should be able to move ahead rapidly now that the new Government was organized.

The Foreign Minister referred to the fact that a number of very capable civilians were participating both in the Cabinet and in senior administrative positions, and said that with such talent in the Government many of the obstacles which had been apparent in the previous administration would disappear.

Dr. Ponce then read a translation of the message received from the Junta covering the following three points:

1. Cooperation with the United States in the Alliance for Progress.

2. A readiness to join with the United States and other American Republics in moves to control communist subversive activities.

3. A firm desire to reach an early solution to the fisheries problem.

In response to the President’s inquiry as to possible solutions to the problem, the Foreign Minister said only that he was certain there was an area of agreement and that he intended to explore this fully immediately upon his return to Ecuador this week end. He would then engage in further conversations with Ambassador Bernbaum.

With regard to the communist problem, the President expressed his gratification at the willingness of the Ecuadorean Government to move to control subversion. He asked the Foreign Minister to comment on the position of the Communist Party in Ecuador. Dr. Ponce said that the Party itself had been outlawed by the new Government, that it was small and, with the exception of a number of extremists who were very active and vocal, it had not achieved any success. On the contrary, whenever it had attempted some action, it had failed with the exception of certain isolated instances of violence. He felt that with the recent moves to outlaw the Party and challenge its leaders, plus a determination to move forward in the eradication of social and economic evils in the country, the Party had no prospect of prospering.

The President inquired as to Dr. Ponce’s possible replacement here. The Foreign Minister said that agrément had just been requested for Dr. José Antonio Correa, a career diplomat with previous experience at the UN and at Washington.

The President wished Dr. Ponce well in his new job and expressed his pleasure in knowing that someone who knew us and our problems so well would be in authority in Quito.

1. Farewell call of departing Ecuadorean Ambassador (the new Foreign Minister); Alliance for Progress; subversion of Communist activities in Ecuador. Confidential. 3 pp. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Ecuador, July to November, 1963.