Office of the Historian

27. Memorandum of conversation, October 10, between President Kennedy and Foreign Minister Martinez1

October 10, 1961
[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Interview—President Kennedy and Chilean Foreign Minister Carlos Martinez Sotomayor

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Mr. Wymberley DeR. Coerr, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs
  • Mr. F. van Reigersberg, LS interpreter
  • Sr. Carlos Martinez Foreign Minister
  • Ambassador Walter Muller

1. Recent Political Changes in Chile

The Foreign Minister explained to the President the significance of the entrance of the Radical Party into President Alessandri’s Administration. Together with the Conservatives and Liberals, the Administration now has more than 60% of Congress behind it. The Radical Party is of the “democratic left” and has tenets very close to those of President Kennedy. The Alessandri Administration fully endorses the Alliance for Progress, and new Radical support means added support for the Alliance.

2. Alliance for Progress

The President said the US is prepared to give important help to Latin America during the next ten years, towards economic and social development. But it will be necessary to show the Alliance is a joint effort, with sacrifices from both sides, if the Congress and the American people are to support the Alliance.

The Foreign Minister described the new Chilean Ten-Year Development Plan, and told how it coincides with the President’s ideas. Commissions comprised of Congressional representatives of the three Administration parties are currently studying planned legislation in agrarian reform, tax reform, customs revision, and administrative reorganization.

[Facsimile Page 2] [Typeset Page 66]

3. Economic Development

Under the Chilean Ten-Year Plan, per capita income would increase 25% in the decade. The Foreign Minister hopes this can be increased, as the people expect rapid social and economic progress and their patience is running short. He thanked the President for the favorable position taken by the US regarding a possible IBRD-sponsored consortium, which would aid the GOC in the Ten-Year Plan.

4. Land Reform in Chile

The Foreign Minister explained the program would be in stages, beginning with the GOC dividing public lands for distribution to the peasants. Second, the government would expropriate private lands which were not being utilized to the optimum. However, division of large estates must not lead to small, uneconomic holdings. Agricultural villages will be built complete with schools and credit institutions. Agrarian reform must be for the purpose of implementing social change, as well as improving the economic situation.

5. Cuba

According to the Foreign Minister, the US-sponsored invasion attempt had been a serious mistake, lowering US prestige. Opposition in Cuba to Castro seems to be increasing, for both political and economic reasons. More and more internal troubles will weaken Castro and eventually bring his downfall. It would be a serious error to take collective measures through the OAS.

The President asked the Minister’s opinion on whether measures similar to those taken at San José against the Dominican Republic could be taken by the OAS if executions in Cuba continue.

The Foreign Minister believes the two situations are different. Nevertheless, if executions were to continue, consultations might be held very privately at the Foreign Minister level to determine if sanctions would be appropriate and, if so, their extent.

  1. Recent political changes in Chile; Alliance for Progress; economic development; land reform; Cuba. Confidential. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Chile, October–December 1961.↩