140. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) to the Secretary of State 1

SUBJECT

  • Meaning of Argentine Elections for US-Argentine Relations

Arturo Frondizi has won the Argentine presidency, control of Congress and the governorships of all provinces by landslide proportions.2 He and his Intransigent Radical Party were supported by a conglomeration of elements, which included ultra-right wing nationalists, [Page 466] Catholics, Peronists and Communists. He denies making any “deals” for such support, despite persistent rumors to the contrary, and it remains to be seen if he has any political debts he feels he must pay.

The immediate question is how he will use this overwhelming mandate to tackle serious economic and social problems ahead. His campaign was opportunistic, as he tried to win a variety of voters by being all things to all men. His intentions are therefore unclear. He is a product of the old-line, middle class Radical Party which has traditionally favored nationalism, neutrality and tended toward statist economic policies. In the campaign he advocated a strong labor movement, nationalization of public services and state exploitation of natural resources, especially oil, but hinted in private that this was only a campaign posture. His attitude toward us is equally ambiguous. He has attacked “imperialistic capitalism”, but says privately this means Great Britain not the United States. He denies that he is anti-United States and says he will deal with us in concrete business-like fashion.

Whatever his real attitudes, it is clear he must face up immediately to serious problems, the most immediate and crucial being economic ones. In formulating policies to meet them, he cannot avoid a careful assessment of his regime’s relationship to us, and he will surely weigh carefully the advantages to be gained from cooperation with us. At the same time he will be subject to nationalistic, traditional and other counter-pressures. Very likely the USSR may seek to use the economic stress to her own advantage. It is perhaps no exaggeration to say that Argentina will be at a cross-roads when Frondizi is inaugurated May 1.

In the circumstances, a frank exchange of views between us and Frondizi as soon as possible seems highly important. Suggestions on this score will be the subject of a separate memorandum.3

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 735.00/2–2658. Confidential. Drafted by Vaky. A notation on the source text indicates that the Secretary saw it.
  2. On February 23, in elections to elect a President, Vice President, Congress, and provincial and municipal officials, Arturo Frondizi and his Intransigent Radical Party won the presidency and large majorities in the Congress and all the provincial councils. A more detailed report of the election and reaction in Argentina was transmitted in despatch 1302 from Buenos Aires, February 25. (ibid., 735.00(W)/2–2558)
  3. The February 28 memorandum, sent to Dulles, recommended that Frondizi be invited to the United States for an exchange of views with administration officials. (ibid., 735.11/3–958) Dulles approved the memorandum and after receiving the President’s approval, a formal invitation was extended to Frondizi. On March 11, however, the Argentine President informed the Embassy in Buenos Aires that he could not make the trip for 4 or 5 months. (Telegram 1331 from Buenos Aires, March 11; ibid., 735.11/ 3–1158)