Office of the Historian

113. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Venezuela1

Washington, May 19, 1961, 8:28 p.m.

1085. Embtel 1080.2 Meeting May 19 with Ambassador Mayobre Berle reviewed substance Depcirtel 17553 and indicated problem seems to be narrowing to questions: (1) timing and procedures for MFM and (2) substantive actions to be taken. Said might be disadvantages mixing political question with objectives Montevideo meeting IA-ECOSOC and consensus necessary for meaningful action prior July 15 seems unlikely. Expressed view attitudes LA Governments and public opinion must be allowed jell favor multilateral action respect Castro.

Berle mentioned Colombian proposals of which Venezuelans aware and said appears most LA Governments could agree course compatible thinking Betancourt, Lleras Camargo and US. Exceptions Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador and Chile. Suggested Gov might help persuade Brazil and perhaps others adopt more positive viewpoints.

Bowles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/5-1861. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Officer in Charge of Venezuelan Affairs John J. Ingersoll, cleared by Jamison and Berle, and approved by Director of the Office of the East Coast Affairs Harvey R. Wellman. Repeated to USUN for Stevenson.↩
  2. Telegram 1080 from Caracas, dated May 18, reported that President Betancourt had decided that a Foreign Ministers meeting on the Cuban problem should be postponed until after the IA-ECOSOC meeting. (Ibid., 737.00/5-1861)↩
  3. See footnote 1, Document 112.↩