191. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- Minister Alsogaray’s Appointment with President Kennedy
PARTICIPANTS
- President Kennedy
- Mr. Ralph Dungan, Special Assistant to the President
- Mr. Edwin M. Martin, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs
- Minister Alvaro Alsogaray, Argentine Minister of Economy
- Ambassador Roberto Alemann, Argentine Ambassador to the United States
Minister Alsogaray opened the discussion by making three points. First, he explained the history of Frondizi’s attempt to maintain himself in power by favoring first one group and then another with the eventual [Page 399] result that he was distrusted by all. Next, he described briefly the electoral situation which had been the final straw in securing the deposal of Frondizi and his replacement by a civilian government, headed by the next in line of succession. Lastly, he stressed the importance of dealing with the Peronistas as individuals but not dealing with their leaders who were just like Fascists or Nazis.
He then gave a brief summary of the broad economic policies of his regime, stressing its encouragement of private enterprise and freedom from government intervention and activity. He also described his recent discussions to try to reduce the burdensome debt in Argentina resulting from a too rapid expansion. He said they had been entirely successful, resulting in making available some $500 million from public and private sources, none of it new money.
The President expressed his happiness at having a chance to talk to him. He emphasized the importance of the Government’s showing an interest in the welfare of all the people and not maintaining too much of a hands off attitude. He expressed some concern that a too conservative and cautious and deflationary policy would meet the interests and desires of the privileged groups and the bankers but not serve the needs of all the people. A program, which would seem to the people to be meeting their needs was essential, he thought, politically as well as economically.
Minister Alsogaray said he agreed entirely and the Government has its own program for controlling economic developments. It was working closely with unions and was anxious to develop a big housing program to help the masses of people. He was stressing the attitude toward private enterprise of the new Government only in contrast to that under Peron.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Argentina, General, 8/62. Confidential. Drafted by Martin. The time of the meeting is taken from the President’s Appointment Book. (Ibid.)↩