800.5018/9–2647: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Argentina
907. Secret for the Ambassador. Present circumstances are believed by Dept to counsel advisability of a request to Arg FonMin 30 and/or to Pres Perón personally for wholehearted Arg cooperation and participation in world-wide distribution cereals and basic foodstuffs. Unless you see serious reason why this should not be done, you are requested to make an earnest suggestion along following lines:
Estimated decline of 21,250,000 tons in US corn crop will be only partly ameliorated by an estimated increase of 6,782,000 tons in wheat crop. Even though US should find it possible by taking drastic internal [Page 308] measures to export same amount cereals as during past year, i.e., approximately 14.5 million tons, crop failures in Europe will leave Western and Southern European countries with an estimated 3.5 million tons less than last year. This will bring about necessity for reducing consumption levels in those countries which are already alarming low—e.g., 2100 calories a day in France.
In present world circumstances, it has been a source of encouragement and reassurance to US Govt to feel that Arg Govt is taking a place of international leadership commensurate with the great moral and material resources Arg nation and people. This was exemplified by Pres Perón’s recent message bespeaking international cooperation in reconstructing war-torn nations. That expression was warmly received by US Govt. If Arg candidacy for Security Council which is being supported by US Govt results in her election, Arg will have further opportunities for leadership in international affairs.
US Govt earnestly hopes that Arg Govt will give a further expression of its international leadership by assumption of a full share in work International Emergency Food Council. IEFC has been found by participating nations to be an invaluable instrument for allocation of basic food exports in emergency conditions in which it is particularly important to make certain that food supplies are carefully but promptly allocated in close proportion with seriousness of needs. IEFC does not control prices but only distribution. If Arg Govt wishes participate IEFC, US Govt will do its utmost to expedite this action.
In your discussion this suggestion, suggested you emphasize that this is a means by which Arg leadership in international affairs could be given currently great world-wide significance. Moreover, it would seem to be a measure that should be particularly popular among large Italian-born population Arg who must have an especially deep sympathy for current plight people of Italy who face prospect of food scarcities more drastic than last winter.
- Juan Atilio Bramuglia.↩