Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976

17. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)¹

Washington, June 10, 1974.

SUBJECT

• President’s Meeting with Ambassador Hill (Thursday, June 6)

You may be interested to know that the President and Ambassador Hill did discuss U.S.-Argentine relations in apparently some length when they met on Thursday, June 6.

Three subjects were discussed. The President asked about the possibility of a Perón visit, and Hill told him that it looked unlikely except possibly in connection with a U.N. visit in November. In regard to Embassy security, the President told Hill that he wanted all possible precautions taken to see that there were no kidnappings or personal harm to Embassy officials and that protection should be coordinated with the Argentine Government. Finally, the President indicated to Hill his strong objection to issuing any waiver to the Foreign Assistance Act to permit continuation of aid. He said there would be no change in our attitude towards Cuba during this Administration.

ARA officials are aware of the President’s views in these three matters and will take them into consideration in their recommendations regarding our dilemma over the Foreign Assistance Act.

1. Summary: Low reported that Nixon and Ambassador Hill discussed the possibility of a Perón visit to the United States and the security of Embassy personnel in Argentina. Nixon also expressed his strong objection to waiving a prohibition on assistance to countries with vessels engaged in trade with Cuba in order to permit a continuation of aid to Argentina.

   Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, 1974–1977, Box 11, President Ford—Appointments (1). Confidential. Sent for information. Hill was requesting a waiver of Section 620 (a) (3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (75 Stat. 424), which prohibited assistance to countries that allowed their vessels to transport goods to or from Cuba. On a June 5 briefing memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon for his meeting with Hill, the President wrote, “K[issinger]—I have made a decision—no waiver—Bring me a decision on this immediately.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 769, Country Files, Latin America, Argentina, Vol. 3, January 1974–August 1974) In telegram 4196 from Buenos Aires, June 7, the Embassy warned the Department that a termination of assistance under Section 620 (a) (3) of the Foreign Assistance Act would undermine U.S.-Argentine relations and possibly hemispheric relations. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740145–0532)