340. Editorial Note

On August 30, President Kubitschek, acting as head of the Brazilian National Security Council, approved recommendations by the Ministerial Committee on Atomic Energy regarding Brazil’s atomic energy policy. Among the recommendations was the proposed cancellation of several agreements with the United States in the atomic energy field. Newly-appointed Ambassador Ellis O. Briggs reported these developments in telegram 242 from Rio de Janeiro, August 31. (Department of State, Central Files, 832.2546/8–3156)

In telegram 247 from Rio de Janeiro, September 3, Briggs commented that the recommendations were “unquestionably nationalistic in tone” and suggested that they had increased the prospect [Page 719] for the establishment of an “atombras” in Brazil. (Ibid., 832.2546/9–356)

Briggs, appointed by the President as Ambassador to Brazil on May 29, presented his credentials to the Brazilian Government on July 24.