297. Telegram From the Embassy in Brazil to the Department of State1
478. With election of Janio Quadros as next President of Brazil virtually assured, believe we should begin laying groundwork for effective cooperation with his administration during vital 5 years which lie ahead. In this connection we should be able derive advantage from fact that, as happens only once every 20 years, newly-elected US administration will be taking office at approximately same time as new Brazilian Government, thus providing relatively clean slate on which to record forthcoming phase of US–Brazil relations.
Indications are that Quadros plans take round-world trip prior his inauguration January, including visit to US following US elections. This would provide first major opportunity for serious discussion US-Brazil relations with Quadros, in which we believe our own President-elect should play prominent role. We believe moreover Quadros should be invited visit US as official guest US Government and should be treated in manner befitting his importance to US and his undoubted personal sensitivity to US recognition that importance.
Embassy believes this important juncture US–Brazil relations is appropriate time for thorough going reappraisal those relations, having in mind that forthcoming 5 years of Quadros administration may well be most important in history our relationship with Brazil. While Embassy not undertaking at this point make specific suggestions this regard, believe one essential element in any fruitful policy vis-à-vis Brazil must be recognition on our part of Brazil’s preponderant importance in Latin America. Other side of this coin would of course be acceptance on Brazil’s part of sobering responsibilities which are concomitant of national power and leadership. Believe time to put these points across, if we are prepared to do so, would be in early discussion between Quadros and US President-elect.
Quadros victory, marking as it does end of 30 years of rule by Vargas and his political heirs, can be expected result in general house cleaning and extensive replacement incumbents at many levels GOB with Quadros followers. While Vargas heir Goulart seems likely be reelected Vice President, Quadros can be expected surround himself with advisors of his own choosing, whose attitudes on problems of concern to US can have almost as important effect on US interest as attitude of new President himself. This suggests importance of effort [Page 791] on US part to cultivate sympathy and understanding such advisors through judicious use of leader grants and other means. Embassy will submit recommendations this regard in later message.
While Embassy not yet prepared make recommendations re precise form and timing of US invitation to Quadros, we earnestly hope main burden this message can be given serious consideration in Department and decision in principle re Quadros invitation taken in advance in order make possible prompt issuance when optimum circumstances determined.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 732.11/10–660. Secret.↩