22. Memorandum of conversation, November 20, between Kennedy and Ambassador Henderson1

[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Ambassador Henderson’s Mission to Bolivia

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Ambassador Douglas Henderson

The President inquired about President Paz and we discussed generally President Paz’ helpful attitude toward the Alliance for Progress.

I told the President that I had recently been in New York and Pittsburgh discussing the possibility of private investment in Bolivia with American businessmen. The President inquired about business attitudes after the Argentine action on American oil investment. I said that the American businessmen with whom I had spoken generally took the view that the Bolivian climate for private investment could be distinguished from the Argentine situation. We also spoke briefly of the privileged position of some American private investors in foreign countries, particularly in the extractive industries.

The President then inquired about the living conditions in La Paz connecting this with the possibility of a visit by him to Bolivia as well as to Chile and Peru early in 1964. He also inquired about whether a visit to one of the three countries would affect his reception in another. I said that no American President to my knowledge had ever visited Bolivia and that he would be sure of a very hospitable reception there. I suggested that he should consider visiting Bolivia first and then going to Peru before visiting Chile, since Chilean-Bolivian relations at the present time are strained.

The President authorized me to say to President Paz he remembered his commitment to visit Bolivia and that he is considering the possibility of such a visit shortly.

  1. Discussion of Henderson’s mission to Bolivia. Confidential. 1 p. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Bolivia, General, 8/63–1/64.