Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

710 Consultation 3A/3–2147: Telegram

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

secret

Montevideo, March 21, 1947—7 p.m.

121. For Dreier from Boal. As anticipated Carbajal⁵ interprets CPD terms of reference to include political defense against all totalitarian infiltration including Soviet. He briefs his conclusion with reference to PCD rules approved by Governing Board PAU February 25, 1942, res 17 Rio,⁶ res 42 Mexico City⁷ (because of change in wording made in original Uruguayan proposal from “axis” to “groups of aliens which might become a danger to independence, integrity or institutions” of American Republics. See page 70, Spanish minutes of Conference February 21, 1945⁸).

He has sounded President and Foreign Minister on possibility of Uruguyan consultation with other governments on terms of reference and reports acquiescence by President, reluctance by Foreign Minister without final decision.

He suggested to some CPD members public statement by CPD asserting terms of reference include political defense against all totalitarian infiltration into hemisphere, I think I have talked him out of this. He now proposes CPD inquiry PAU on terms of reference and to renew his effort for intergovernmental consultation via Uruguayan Government. I have been discouraging former as tantamount to latter but with disadvantages. I assume any consultation begun would probably result in abeyance at least until after Moscow⁹ probably until Rio or Bogotá.¹⁰

Matter will come up in CPD March 28. I would like to have Department’s views as long before that as possible. Carbajal view CPD’s scope shared by Peruvian, probably Venezuelan and Brazilian. Opposed by Chilean, probably Mexican, latter absent for month.

Carbajal also said Bramuglia¹¹ receptive to Argentine return to CPD and his view on anti-totalitarian scope CPD’s functions. I have suggested caution on going any further on this pending determination Argentine participation military defense in Rio. Would appreciate Department’s views on this also.

Foregoing summarizes letter¹² today’s courier. [Boal.]

McGurk

5. Juan José Carbajal Victorica, Chairman of the Emergency Advisory Committee for Political Defense.
6. Pan American Union, Report on the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, Rio de Janeiro, January 15–28, 1942 (Washington, 1942), p. 44.
7. Pan American Union, Final Act of the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace, Mexico City, February–March, 1945 (Washington, 1945), p. 80.
8. Not printed.
9. The Fourth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers which met in Moscow, March 10–April 24, 1947.
10. The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Continental Peace and Security, which met at Quitandinha, Brazil, August 15–September 2, 1947, and the Ninth International Conference of American States, which met at Bogotá, March 30–May 2, 1948.
11. Juan Atilio Bramuglia, Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship.
12. Not printed.