724.34119/312: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell)
178. For Braden. Your 297, December 16, 2 a.m. In view of the considerations advanced by you and the gravity of the situation which has been presented, the Department is willing to authorize you to fly to Asunción as you suggest. I feel, however, that it would not be desirable for you to proceed to Asunción even in your capacity as chairman of the Prisoners Committee accompanied solely by Podestá Costa. You will recall the bitterness of the feeling towards this Government prevalent in Paraguay 3 years ago and that this feeling has only recently been dissipated. In the event that any domestic controversy should later arise in Paraguay as to the course pursued by the Paraguayan Government and should it be claimed that a more conciliatory attitude which President Ayala might take after your visit was owing to undue pressure by this Government through your agency, the same hostility would again flare up. I think this danger can be averted if you are able to arrange to have the Brazilian Delegate, Rodriguez Alves, accompany yourself and Podestá Costa on this mission. From Gibson’s reports and from your own telegrams, Rodriguez Alves has cooperated effectively and loyally in your endeavors to seek a solution of the present problems and it would be highly fitting that the Brazilian Delegate should participate in this mission.
Please discuss this suggestion immediately with Rodriguez Alves and subsequently with the other delegates at the conference. If the Brazilian Government is willing to authorize him to proceed with you, you are authorized to leave with him and Podestá Costa on any date you may agree upon. If the Brazilian Government is not willing to authorize Rodriguez Alves’s accompanying you, cable the Department for further suggestions along these lines.