Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973–1976

11. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹

Washington, February 20, 1974.

SUBJECT

• Foreign Ministers Meeting in Mexico City—February 21–23, 1974

As you know, I am going to Mexico City on February 20 to meet with the Foreign Ministers from the hemisphere. The conference is being held in response to our suggestion last October that we engage in a new dialogue with the other nations of the Americas. It follows a meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Foreign Ministers at Bogota last November, where an eight-point agenda was drawn up containing matters which they wish to discuss with us.

While our bilateral relations with the nations of the Hemisphere have improved markedly and are now quite good, our contacts with them in the hemisphere’s multilateral forums have generally been characterized by confrontation. The present atmosphere is perhaps more positive than at any time in the recent past and there seems to be a good chance that at this meeting we can have a serious discussion of our multilateral relationships and restore the sense of shared purpose that existed in the past.

There will only be three or perhaps four formal speeches: the opening address by President Echeverria, responses by the U.S. and a Latin American Foreign Minister, and a closing speech currently scheduled to be delivered by Brazilian Foreign Minister Gibson Barboza. The rest of the two and one-half day conference will be held in executive session and will center around the eight points the Latins want to discuss (Tab A) and the two we have added (energy and the world situation).

We plan to approach the conference in terms of an “Agenda for the Americas,” (Tab B) which would provide a vehicle for us to face current global challenges together. We would respond to their requests in this fashion and try to meet their concerns when we can. We would also try to seek greater reciprocity and more support from them in matters on which our interests coincide. We would announce our willingness to participate in developing a statement of principles governing inter-American relations which the Mexicans and others have been pressing for. This would give new meaning to our “special relationship” with nations of the hemisphere and at the same time present an opportunity to gain acceptance of principles of interest to us, such as access to scarce commodities and fair treatment for foreign investment. Finally, we would propose the establishment of a mechanism to assist in settling investment disputes. Our specific proposals, in brief, are as follows:

1. A U.S. trade policy for Latin America. We would propose to increase significantly our consultation and coordination of trade policies with the Latin American countries. We would attempt to adjust U.S. trade positions to accommodate Latin American interests in the context of the multinational trade negotiations, seeking also to gain support for U.S. positions and obtain trade concessions of commercial interest to us. We would agree to review our generalized trade preference product list with them. We would propose consultations with the Latin Americans on access to scarce supplies prior to proceeding to international forums for discussions of this issue. Finally, we would seek a more constructive role for the Special Committee on Consultation and Negotiation of the OAS, which we originally proposed and the Latins are now anxious to give more authority.

2. A program in the Americas to meet the energy crisis. We would review the results of the Washington Energy Conference with the Foreign Ministers, discuss how they can participate in ongoing consultation, express our readiness to discuss the energy issue in regional forums, and announce our willingness to participate in the regional effort to speed development of new energy resources and cooperate in technical collaboration. Lastly, we would suggest examining the possibility of expanding the role of the Inter-American Development Bank to help meet problems arising out of higher oil prices in an effort to draw into the Bank’s system surplus Venezuelan oil revenues and those from other wealthier Latin states.

3. A new inter-American effort to define principles of international interdependence. We would commit ourselves to work out a statement of principles governing inter-American relations in the context of the newly emerging international environment. These would include a reasonable level and use of supporting assistance, support for private investment flows, access to markets and raw materials.

4. Investment dispute settlement procedure. We would propose establishment of a conciliation commission to find out facts, interpret international law, and make recommendations for settlement.

The detailed proposed courses of action are enclosed at Tab B. They meet the concerns which Peter Flanigan raised (Tab C) about State’s original draft proposals (Tab D) and in general incorporate the views of STR, Treasury, and Commerce.

1. Summary: Kissinger briefed Nixon on proposals he planned to present at a meeting of Latin American Foreign Ministers in Mexico City.

   Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Confidential. Sent for information. Marked: “The President has seen.” Tab A (the Latin American Foreign Ministers’ proposed agenda for the Mexico City meeting), Tab B (the agenda proposed by the United States), Tab C (a February 15 memorandum from the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs, Peter Flanigan, to Nixon regarding U.S. strategy for the Mexico City meeting), and Tab D (a February 12 memorandum from Rush to Nixon providing background information on the meeting and an outline of the proposed U.S. strategy for the event) are attached, but not published.