800.76 Monitoring/576
The Chargé in Argentina (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram no. 503 of March 4, 5 p.m.,38 in which it was stated that the Argentine authorities could [Page 521] not permit the “intervention” of our Military Attaché in connection with the clandestine radio program. Further inquiry on this point elicited an informal undated memorandum (received on March 5) from an official of the Foreign Office, a copy and translation of which are forwarded herewith.39
From this it is indicated that not only will the Military Attaché be excluded from active participation but that it might be awkward to deliver the equipment40 to the Argentine authorities on a loan basis only. This latter subject was discussed in detail in the Embassy’s strictly confidential despatch no. 9124 of February 27.39
As soon as a definite reply is received concerning the disposition of the equipment now in possession of the Military Attaché, an informal discussion will be had with officials of the Posts & Telegraphs Department to work out a system of collaboration. However, as stated in the last paragraph of the Embassy’s strictly confidential despatch no. 9237 of March 4,39 it is rumored that changes may be effected in the administration of the radio-communication section of the Posts & Telegraphs Department, and this might delay a satisfactory solution of the matter.
Respectfully yours,