182. Despatch From the Ambassador in Argentina (Nufer) to the Department of State 1

No. 839

SUBJECT

  • Secretary of Navy Thomas’ Conversation With President Perón

There is enclosed a copy of my memorandum of the conversation on March 22 between President Perón, Foreign Minister Remorino, Secretary of Economic Affairs Gómez Morales, Secretary of the Navy Thomas, and myself.2

The conversation assumes special significance because of the statements made by President Perón concerning the role of Argentina in the event of a third world war. He said to Secretary Thomas that in event of such a war Argentina, because of its geographic position, would have to play an important role which would become a vital one if the Panama Canal was destroyed. In any event, he said Argentina would have to take a very active part in the defense of the southern Hemisphere.

In a brief conversation with me after the ceremony, in which Secretary Thomas was awarded the Argentine Order of Merit, Perón said that in the next war “Argentina would really have to fight and we want to be as well prepared as possible”.

In his conversation with Secretary Thomas, Perón said further that it would be very useful if conversations could take place between the U.S. and Argentine technical personnel to map out Argentina’s contribution to hemispheric defense in greater detail than provided for in the defense plans of the Inter-American Defense Board. In his later remarks to me he said that he attached great importance to the suggested discussions.

I regard Perón’s remarks as intended to indicate his readiness to discuss bilateral military cooperation between the U.S. and Argentina. He could hardly go further than he did in this conversation to reveal Argentine interest in such cooperation without making an explicit request for negotiations.

Recommendation: This clear-cut initiative by Perón with an official of Cabinet rank affords an excellent opportunity for carrying another step forward our policy of enlisting Argentine support for our defense plans for this Hemisphere and for Argentine solidarity in carrying out our world-wide defense program. Accordingly, if the consideration of this matter, which has taken place pursuant to the [Page 359] Department’s letter of November 15, 1954, to the Secretary of Defense, has reached a sufficiently advanced stage to make this at all possible, I recommend that I be authorized to use Perón’s remarks as a spring board for informally sounding him out on the possible interest of Argentina in a military agreement.3 This could be done in a purely informal and exploratory way along the lines set forth in my Despatch No. 34, July 14, 1954,4 repeated in my Despatch No. 255, September 22, 1954.5

Albert F. Nufer
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 735.5–MSP/3–2355. Secret.
  2. Not printed.
  3. See vol. vi, Document 21. The Department summarized this letter for the Embassy in telegram 700 to Buenos Aires, April 28. That telegram reads in part as follows: “Department interprets Defense views mean very limited funds substantially less than Brazilian program prospectively available implement any military cooperation Argentina. Department desires your views whether foregoing provides basis Ambassador approach Peron to concur his suggestion technical conversations and propose assignment US survey group Argentina near future. Embassy should appreciate US would not be in position this time make any commitment grant aid. Reply urgently but take no other action this matter pending further instructions.” (Department of State, Central Files, 735.5–MSP/3–2355)

    In telegram 651 from Buenos Aires, April 29, the Embassy replied as follows:

    “Embassy considers unfortunate apparent severe limitation funds prospectively available (Deptel 700 April 28). Nevertheless believes Defense reply provides basis approach Peron to concur his suggestion technical conversations and propose assignment US survey group Argentina near future. This is on assumptions (1) purpose of survey as stated by Defense would be make recommendations Argentine force objectives hemisphere Defense, and (2) funds would be sought later to implement any recommendations mutually agreed upon.” (Ibid., 735.5–MSP/4–2955)

  4. Not printed. (Ibid., 735.11/7–1454)
  5. Not printed. (Ibid., 735.5–MSP/9–2254)