800.014 Antarctic/9–1649: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
3729. Cecil, assistant head South American Department, Foreign Office,1 told Embassy assistant officer that UK would be pleased if US would, “do the same as last year”, and issue statement welcoming Chilean-UK-Argentine understanding re naval demonstration in Antarctica (Deptel 3250, September 82).
Cecil added as background information that about month ago UK approached Argentina and Chile concerning renewal of understanding with view to evolving less cumbersome procedure than was followed last year. It is UK view that understanding could be renewed in informal manner since understanding is not an agreement and simply “declaration of intent”. Argentina had replied promptly agreeing with UK view, but Chile appeared to be not quite sure that deviation from last year’s procedure constitutionally possible. Cecil did not feel that Chile was dragging its feet but thought Chileans were perhaps slightly apprehensive lest government seem to be by-passing Chilean Congress. Cecil went on to say that the UK hoped to get matter settled within a month or so and would keep US informed.
Sent Department 3729. Department pass Buenos Aires unnumbered, Santiago unnumbered.
- Robert Cecil, Assistant Head of the American Department, in charge of the Latin American Section, British Foreign Office.↩
- Sent also as telegram 297 to Santiago and 573 to Buenos Aires. It reported that the Chilean Embassy had stated that a renewal of the British-Argentine-Chilean declaration of January 18, 1949 (see the editorial note, p. 793) was being discussed. In response to a Chilean inquiry, the Department of State stated that the United States was willing to issue a statement welcoming the renewal of the understanding. The British and Argentine Embassies were also informed of the American position (800.014 Antarctic/1–1749).↩