Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The American Republics, Volume IV

710.5/11–553

Minutes of a Meeting Between Representatives of the Department of State and the Department of Defense, Held in the Pentagon, November 5, 1953

top secret

November 5, 1953

• Those Present:
  • Defense
    • U.S. Delegation, IADB:
    • Major General Robert M. Webster (USAF)
    • Rear Admiral Milton E. Miles (Navy)
    • Colonel William Massello (USA)
    • Captain Joseph W. Leverton (Navy)
    • Colonel Willis F. Lewis (USAF)
    • Lt. Colonel James M. Hall (USA)
    • Major George W. Williamson (USAF)
  • State
    • ARA—Mr. John M. Cabot, Assistant Secretary
    • AR—Mr. Edward A. Jamison
    • AR—Mr. Robert M. Sayre

Subject:

• Second State-Defense Meeting on Latin American Military Relations

General Webster opened the meeting by reminding those present that the primary objective was to review and collaborate in the preparation of the military portions of the Second Progress Report on NSC 144/1.¹

General Webster then stated that the U.S. Del. had reviewed the second draft² prepared by Department of State and desired to offer certain suggestions. He pointed out that the narrative style was susceptible to debatable expressions of opinion and lacked the concise, factual type of statements that could be easily read and understood.

[Here follows discussion of proper drafting style of reports for the National Security Council.]

A U.S. Del. re-draft³ of the State Department second draft was then examined. This re-draft contained only minor deletions and additions and Mr. Cabot after a cursory review stated he thought there would be no objections to the proposed amendments.

Admiral Miles asked that the portion of the re-draft dealing with the proposed Permanent Joint Board Defense Brazil–U.S. be further amended to clearly indicate that any delay in the establishment of this Board was on the U.S. side and that the Brazilians had not in any way impeded progress. It was agreed to incorporate appropriate wording in the final draft to cover this point.

The reference in the report to renewal of mission agreements with Guatemala was then discussed. Adm. Miles asked if it was a fact that the USAF desired renewal. Mr. Sayre stated that both the Army and Air Force had concurred in extension of the Missions and Embassy Guatemala had been instructed to take an opportune moment to bring the matter up with the foreign office but that there had been no positive action to date. Mr. Cabot said he had some misgivings regarding this course of action, pointing out the mixed reaction that the people in the U.S. and our anti-communist friends in Latin America could have upon learning that we were taking steps to extend this type of military collaboration with a government so completely dominated by antagonistic elements.

Colonel Lewis expressed the opinion that those military persons who would receive the training the U.S. proposed were not Communists. Mr. Cabot agreed that this was probably true and that this cold logic supported the action but that his misgivings had been in the psychological and propaganda area.

General Webster then made reference to a draft statement of policy and staff study that had been prepared by the Department of State for consideration by the NSC planning board. This document deals with U.S. objectives and courses of action with respect to Venezuela.⁴ It was pointed out that this 46 page document had been received by the U.S. Del. only that morning and that comment and recommendations had been requested within two working days. It was suggested that in the future the U.S. Delegation be permitted to collaborate in the drafting of the military portions of such studies in the early or formative stages; or that in any event, a copy of the drafts be expeditiously transmitted to the U.S. Delegation simultaneously with those going to NSC.

Mr. Cabot stated that he was not informed with respect to the document under consideration but that he was in agreement that better coordination should be effected and that he would see if arrangements couldn’t be made to provide the Department of Defense with a draft of these papers before they were submitted to the NSC.

Colonel Lewis said that while he had not had an opportunity to study the Venezuelan paper, he had noted that the subject of higher priorities for equipment requested by Venezuela was discussed. He pointed out that the priority question would pose a very difficult problem. Adm. Miles in discussing priorities pointed up the need for a priority criteria explaining that the terms “high priority” had no real meaning for those responsible for implementation. He suggested that it might be desirable to establish a degree of priority by relative rank. Thus the priority granted Venezuela might be stated as after Denmark, and before Brazil, etc.

Colonel Lewis stated that by JCS decision, all priorities for Venezuela were on a case by case basis and that no other country in Latin America enjoyed even that distinction. No further discussion of this problem was had because those present had not had an opportunity to study the draft.

General Webster then stated he understood Mr. Cabot wanted to discuss grant aid for Nicaragua. Mr. Cabot asked if a decision on this subject had been reached and was told that JCS had made recommendations to the Secretary of Defense⁵ that would perhaps be reflected in a letter from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of State in the next few days.⁶

Mr. Cabot then turned to a discussion of aid to El Salvador explaining that in some official circles the Salvadorans seemed to think we had let them down. El Salvador had requested price and delivery information on a rather substantial amount of equipment. After the requested data was furnished actual orders were placed for a very insignificant quantity. Col. Massello stated that the U.S. Army has agreed to furnish all equipment ordered by El Salvador and suggested that El Salvador simply did not have the money to purchase as much as it desired.

It was agreed that El Salvador probably expected a grant of the equipment on their list which they had not offered to buy. Mr. Cabot observed that the Salvadorans had some time ago made inquiry about grant aid and indicated they would not be agreeable to a bilateral military pact except on a secret basis which is not in accord with U.S. legal requirements.

Mr. Cabot expressed concern regarding the publication of a historical report⁷ pertaining to Latin America during World War II. He expressed the thought that the U.S. would experience difficulty obtaining bases and facilities in the Latin America area if we talked too much with respect to our past relationships with the various governments. Mr. Jamison said that he had first seen a draft of the proposed document with a restricted classification about a year ago and that he had at that time advised that the document contained much that would be politically embarrassing to the Latin American governments if published. Specific reference for example was made to the secret agreement with Brazil dated 1942.⁸ Adm. Miles suggested that the Department of State refuse to coordinate until such time as a decision by the JCS had been made. Col. Hall said he had recently talked with Col. O’Connor⁹ of the Historical Branch about this document. Col. O’Connor had stated that the comments they then had from Col. Hill, former Chief of the Latin American Branch, G–3, Department of the Army, and from the State Department were being used to prepare a “sanitized” draft. Col. Hall had suggested to Col. O’Connor that this “sanitized” version be referred to the U.S. Delegation for its consideration.

Mr. Jamison then asked if there had been any further developments with respect to the establishment of shipping control stations in Latin America. Adm. Miles reported there had been no substantive progress. The present problem still appeared to be equipment and he felt in all probability those nations participating in the plan would expect grant of the required radio transmitters. He thought such an expectation would be reasonable but that he had been unable to obtain from within the Department of Navy necessary funds.

Mr. Jamison then raised the problem of providing personnel required by the Venezuelan Air Force for training in operations and maintenance of Canberra aircraft recently purchased from England. It developed that the Venezuelans who now have 6 aircraft of this type have, in accord with the provisions of the mission agreement now in force, requested permission to employ British military technicians to accomplish this training. It was agreed that the encroachment by the British into this area was generally not desirable. Col. Lewis pointed out that as of this date, the U.S. only has one Canberra and that furthermore, the one aircraft we have is substantially different in all respects except configuration from the Canberras that have been delivered to the Venezuelans. Col. Lewis suggested that it might be possible to augment our present mission strength with personnel who have had experience in operation and maintenance of USAF twin-jet type such as the B–45. No decision was reached in this area.

Adm. Miles then asked if the Department of State had any knowledge of recent procurement by Brazil of transport type vessels manufactured in Japan. He described recent activities of an agent for the Japanese shipping interests who has a rather unsavory reputation. Adm. Miles stated that he had no objection to Brazil buying this type of equipment from Japan, as a matter of fact, thought it might be a good move on their part. He was afraid however that Brazil might be dealing with an individual who was unscrupulous and that this relationship might eventually result in difficulties for Brazil.

Mr. Sayre said that he would make an attempt to get further information on this story and give it to Adm. Miles direct.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.¹⁰

1. NSC 144/1, a report titled “United States Objectives and Courses of Action With Respect to Latin America,” dated Mar. 18, 1953, and the referenced progress report, dated Nov. 20, 1953, are printed on pp. 6 and 26.
2. Not found in Department of State files.
3. Not found in Department of State files.
4. The draft statement of policy, entitled “United States Objectives and Courses of Action With Respect to Venezuela”, dated Oct. 22, 1953, is printed on p. 1653. A copy of the staff study accompanying the draft statement is in S/P–NSC files, lot 61 D 167, NSC 144/1.
5. On Oct. 24, 1953.
6. Acting Secretary of Defense Kyes wrote to Secretary Dulles on Nov. 17, 1953. For information concerning the letter, see the editorial note, infra.
7. Presumably a reference to an early draft manuscript by Stetson Conn and Byron Fairchild for a volume in the series U.S. Army in World War II, eventually published as The Western Hemisphere: The Framework of Hemisphere Defense (Washington, 1960).
8. Apparent reference to the defense agreement between the United States and Brazil, signed at Rio de Janeiro, May 28, 1942; for information on the negotiation of the agreement, see ibid., pp. 317–319. For documentation concerning an attempt to revise the agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1951, vol. ii, p. 1184 ff.
9. Col. George G. O’Connor, Chief of the War Histories Division, Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army.
10. An appended distribution list is not printed.