Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

608. Memorandum of Conversation¹ ²

San Clemente, August 20, 1969, 11:10 a.m.

SUBJECT:

• Memorandum of Conversation between President Nixon and Departing Ambassadors to Australia, Barbados, Canada, Iceland, Peru and Romania.

PARTICIPANTS:

• President Richard Nixon
• Ambassador Walter L. Rice, Australia
• Ambassador Eileen Donovan, Barbados
• Ambassador Adolph W. Schmidt, Canada
• Ambassador Luther I. Replogle, Iceland
• Ambassador Taylor G. Belcher, Peru
• Ambassador Leonard C. Meeker, Romania
• Colonel Alexander M. Haig, NSC
• Mr. Nicholas Ruwe (Made introductions and departed during substantive discussions)

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Peru.]

Peru

The President reviewed the extremely difficult situation which Ambassador Belcher would face in Peru and the need to strike a balance between firmness and an understanding of the growing nationalist trend in that country. Ambassador Belcher stated that he believed there was little chance of the downfall of Velasco despite earlier indications that a coup might be in the offing. The President agreed and emphasized that improper handling of the US role in the IPC crisis could drive Velasco into a Nasser stance which we would hope to avoid. At the same time, the President noted it was essential that we not create a Nassarist model in Peru which could be duplicated by the other Latin states. He stated that his policy up to now had been characterized by careful, measured responses to Velasco’s actions and suggested that there may be signs that Velasco was beginning to realize that a confrontation with the US might not be in the best interest of Peru.

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Peru]

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 792, Country Files, Latin America, Peru, Vol. 1, Through June 1970. Secret. An attached August 26 note indicated Haig dictated the memorandum and Kissinger saw it before it was filed. The meeting took place in the President’s Office at the Western White House in San Clemente. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting took place on August 19 from 11:58 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)
2. President Nixon declared to the Ambassadors to Australia, Barbados, Canada, Iceland, Peru, and Romania, as well as Haig that it was important that other Latin American nations not replicate Velasco’s “Nassarist” model. Nixon also hinted that there were “signs” Velasco was beginning to realize that a confrontation with the United States would not be in the best interest of Peru.