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

93. Telegram 217488 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Brazil¹

Washington, November 4, 1973, 0356Z.

217488. Subj: Consultations with Brazil. Ref: Brasília 7372. For Ambassador Crimmins.

1. We have carefully considered your thoughts expressed reftel concerning an apparent feeling of dissatisfaction by the GOB with the state of our consultations. We share that concern and had been becoming somewhat uneasy ourselves even before arrival of your telegram. The somewhat reserved reception given our first approach on Chile and what seemed to us to be a rather perfunctory reply to Secretary Kissinger’s personal letter to Gibson Barboza bringing Gibson up to date on what had happened in New York during the latter’s absence and requesting Gibson’s advice regarding attendance at the Bogota Foreign Ministers’ meeting made us wonder if something was going wrong. We are perhaps more aware of this here because of the contrast between Gibson Barboza’s response to Secretary Kissinger’s request for advice on attending the Bogota Foreign Ministers’ conference and those received from Mexico and Argentina which were lengthy, warm and personal messages containing carefully considered and thoughtful comments.

2. In view of the importance which all of us in USG give to especially close relations with the Brazilians, we want to make sure that the dialogue does not suffer from lack of initiative or input from our side. We appreciate your specific suggestions for provision of various additional materials. We are looking at what is available, which may not already have been sent to you, and will forward as much as possible of the instructions and memoranda concerning decisions and attitudes in the three or four areas of particular interest to your consultations, i.e., restructuring the OAS, Argentina, Cuba and Chile. In this connection we are also assembling a review of the steps we have taken to date, or are in process, to assist the Chilean Government to be sure that you are fully apprised of them when you meet with Gibson Barboza.

3. We will also undertake a more energetic campaign with Ambassador Araujo Castro and his Embassy staff here in Washington to share with them more fully some of the concerns and considerations which are governing our actions as we move through the problems of the hemisphere.

4. Your suggestion to Gibson Barboza for a follow-up on the New York meeting with Secretary Kissinger seems to us to provide another basis to strengthen the consultation process. You can explain to Gibson that in part as a result of his advice, the Secretary decided not to proceed at this time with his idea for a special mission to Latin America to make recommendations for new policy approaches. The Secretary did ask on that occasion for the GOB’s thoughts on our approach to Latin America and we are still interested in the response to that question. We are proceeding here with a review of our relations with Latin America, including restructuring of the OAS. Because Gibson Barboza will not be present at Bogota and his views will not be reflected there, we will be interested to know in a private way what his views are in this matter. Indeed, we are interested in his views on the wide range of subjects of mutual interest and are hopeful you will be able to obtain them.

5. We hope these considerations will be helpful to you and urge that you continue to share with us your thoughts on the progress of our consultations with the GOB.

Kissinger

1. Summary: Thanking the Ambassador for his suggestions, the Department suggested possible approaches he could use to improve the dialogue with Brazil.

   Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 772, Country Files, Latin America, Brazil, Vol. 4, 1973–1974. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Bowdler, approved by Kubisch and Eagleburger. In telegram 7372 from Brasília, October 29, Crimmins reported that the Brazilian Government was dubious that the United States really desired a special relationship with Brazil. Crimmins recommended close policy coordination between Brasília and Washington on regional issues, in particular on Chile. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840121–2657) The Kissinger-Gibson Barboza correspondence has not been found.