Office of the Historian

209. Memorandum of a Conversation, San Carlos de Bariloche, February 28, 1960, 2:15 p.m.1

February 28, 1960, 2:15 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS

  • US
    • Secretary Herter
    • Assistant Secretary Rubottom
  • Argentina
    • President Frondizi
    • Foreign Minister Taboada
    • Ambassador Del Carril
    • Minister Orfila

SUBJECT

  • The Cuban Situation

The President inquired about the Cuban problem, recalling that he had discussed this subject with Messrs. Mann and Rubottom nearly a year ago in Buenos Aires. The Secretary said that the Cuban situation was worsening; the Communists were moving into key positions in a government beset by disorganization; property rights were being ignored; intervention in both agriculture and other industries was rampant; the Cuban problem adversely affected all the Americas and should be treated within the inter-American system.

Mr. Rubottom brought up the problem created by the continued interference by Cuba in the affairs of the other American Republics, especially through the official Cuban Government press agency,

[Page 615]

Prensa Latina. He reiterated the fact that Cuba was an inter-American problem and not one solely for the United States. The President and the Foreign Minister responded immediately to the reference to Prensa Latina, saying the agency was clearly meddling in Argentine affairs by the provocative material it disseminated not only outside Cuba but inside Argentina itself.

To the President’s query about sugar, the Secretary described the history of our sugar legislation and the historical relationship between Cuba and the U.S. with regard to this commodity.

The President expressed approval of our policies toward Cuba and said that great care should be taken in preparing any action ultimately to be taken, and also with the timing of such action.

The Secretary expressed appreciation for the role of the Argentine Ambassador at the time of the difficulties of Ambassador Bonsai. He said we might send the Ambassador back to Cuba, since the Cuban Government had sent a satisfactory note, although this was not yet decided. The President and the Foreign Minister concurred in the view of the Secretary that all of the governments in the Americas should expand their exchange of information regarding Cuba.

  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1596. Confidential. Drafted by Rubottom. Memoranda of other subjects discussed during the conversation were prepared separately and are printed as Documents 210–213. A memorandum of a brief conversation on the 11th Inter-American Conference, designated US/MC/5, is not printed.↩