835.51/1312: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Argentina (Tuck)

186. Department’s 180, August 12, 2 p.m., and your 342, August 13, 8 p.m. With respect to possible monetary and exchange arrangements, this matter was brought up informally at Habana by Irigoyen and there took place some discussion with members of the United States delegation in which Mr. Irigoyen was told informally that such matters fell within the province of the Treasury. The Treasury Department has since indicated that if Argentina wishes to take the initiative it is prepared to pursue discussions in Washington of possible monetary and exchange arrangements with any representative designated by the Argentine Government. This matter has been discussed informally with the Argentine Embassy in Washington, and the Argentine Ambassador has indicated that he was not a party to the discussions at Habana. The Embassy feels, therefore, that it would be preferable that any informal indication to the Argentine Government that the Treasury Department would be prepared to carry on such discussions be handled through our Embassy at Buenos Aires. You may suggest to the Foreign Office that if the Argentine Government is interested in possible monetary and exchange arrangements with the United States Treasury it designate some representative to carry on discussions in Washington.

Welles