221. Letter From President Eisenhower to President Frondizi1
Dear Mr. President And Esteemed Friend: I have given your recent letter and accompanying memorandum the prompt attention which I promised in my initial message.
Your views command particular respect in my eyes and in the councils of this Government, and in this instance they have provided a major point of reference for me and for my advisors in our continuing review of what the United States should be accomplishing by its efforts in support of the hemispheric objectives which our two Governments share. We in the United States seek peace and freedom and progress for all the world, with resources which, although large, are not limitless; and I think that the very range of our endeavors tends at times to distort the assessment of what we have achieved and of what may perhaps have been left undone.
The courage with which you and your Government have faced the economic problems which beset your country, Mr. President, has been impressive. We know that, notwithstanding short-range political disadvantages, your essential economic decisions have been made with a determination to have Argentina help itself to the greatest degree possible. The evidences of this quality in your Government have been influential in the shaping of the policies of my Government, which have been and continue to be directed toward close and productive cooperation with your Government. To the fullest extent feasible, the United States Government will continue to support the interrelated programs of financial stabilization and economic development which are embodied in your Government’s forward-looking policies.
In order to define Argentina’s requirements and to evaluate prospective projects, it would appear appropriate for discussions to be held promptly between those officials of our two Governments most [Page 637] directly concerned with this matter. The Under Secretary of State, Mr. C. Douglas Dillon, is now in Bogota at the meeting of the Committee of 21 and, if you agree, this may provide an opportunity for your representative to discuss this subject with him. This could be useful in preparing for further discussions which we would be pleased to have with your Minister of Economy, Eng. Alvaro C. Alsogaray, if he visits Washington in late September, as I understand he is scheduled to do in connection with meetings of the governing bodies of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This would not preclude, of course, the presentation by your Government of detailed proposals through any other official channels.
Imbued with the purpose of responding to the needs of our friends in this hemisphere for continuing social development, the United States has now embarked, as you know, on a new program of financial cooperation in that vital field. I assume, Mr. President, that your Government has also been giving consideration to ways in which we might be of appropriate assistance in this regard.
I think that you will also be interested to learn that my Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Ezra T. Benson, is planning to travel in South America during October, and I hope that he will have an opportunity during this trip to exchange views with you respecting United States policies and measures affecting agricultural commodities and their marketing. Since there is full recognition here of the crucial importance of earnings from agricultural exports to Argentine recovery efforts, I am particularly desirous of eliminating misunderstandings and misinterpretations in this field.
Please be assured, Mr. President, that there is complete realization within this Government of the importance of your Government’s current economic program and of the necessity that it be carried to a successful conclusion.
With warm personal regard,
Sincerely,