835.00/10–3145: Telegram

The Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson) to the Secretary of State

673. Foreign Minister tells me that he himself, substantial majority his advisers, and President7a favor taking initiative inter-American declaration along general lines your telegram 404, October 24, but feel declaration must contain no specific mention of Argentina although obviously directed against Farrell–Perón regime. Foreign Minister hopes to have text ready by Monday for transmission to Department for consideration.

Uruguayans are less apprehensive of military attack than economic reprisals. Foreign Minister points out necessity for prompt assistance in this event, since reprisals adversely affecting economy would be dangerously exploited against Government by strong and aggressive … opposition which is only too inclined to play ball with Perón et al. If Uruguay takes initiative at our suggestion, we must be prepared to render effective assistance in case of reprisals and, pursuant your telegram 404, I have reaffirmed our previous assurances of support. I assume that if necessary means could be found of supplying such products as potatoes, salt, wheat, et cetera, at competitive c.i.f. prices, but wonder what if anything could be done to compensate Uruguayan economy if Perón interfered seriously with indispensable Argentine summer tourist traffic to Uruguay.

Repeated to Buenos Aires.

Dawson
  1. Juan José Amezaga.