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

289. Telegram 5644 From the Embassy in Peru to the Department of State¹

Lima, August 4, 1973, 0005Z.

5644. Subj: Greene Mission. Ref: Lima 5520.

1. In view of fact that statement on Greene visit provided Lima 5520 was cleared by Council of Ministers, Foreign Office SecGen informed me that our proposed changes would have to be approved by same group. Unfortunately, in view of absence from city of several members as well as difficulty of convoking special meeting this would mean that revisions could not be considered until Tuesday, August 7.

2. This timing most unfortunate in view of scheduled vote at the World Bank as well as Greene’s scheduled arrival in Lima. Under the circumstances and after further discussion with Garcia Bedoya, we decided that Greene visit should be postponed one week, on assumption in intervening time we would be able reach agreement on final text.

3. Garcia Bedoya reluctantly accepted our reasoning for suggesting postponement of vote in World Bank. I explained to him that we would much prefer public announcement of Greene mission prior to vote. This would probably satisfy most interested parties. It would be much more difficult to respond to queries resulting from our affirmative vote if we did not have language which had not been mutually agreed upon. I told the SecGen that we planned to ask for postponement when Peruvian loan came up Tuesday morning. I explained this was customarily approved by the directors on a one-time basis, which meant that the loan would then be considered and voted upon August 14.

4. On the off chance that we can get our text approved over the weekend or on Monday, we have left it that a final decision on requesting a postponement will not be made until Monday afternoon.

Belcher

1. Summary: The Ambassador informed García Bedoya that the U.S. Government would request a postponement of an IBRD vote on a loan for Peru until the public announcement of the discussions to resolve investment disputes.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840114–1731. Secret; Immediate, Nodis. Telegram 5520 from Lima has not been found. In telegram 157090 to Lima, August 9, the Department informed the Embassy that because the Peruvian Government agreed to an announcement, the U.S. Government would vote for a $25 million IBRD agricultural and livestock credit loan for Peru. (Ibid., P840114–1942) The August 9 Peruvian Government announcement of its agreement to investment discussions with Greene is in the Department of State Bulletin, August 27, 1973, p. 310.