Office of the Historian

103. Memorandum of conversation, July 24, between President Kennedy and President Arosemena1

July 24, 1962, 4 p.m.
[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Alliance for Progress

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Carlos Julio Arosemena, President of the Republic of Ecuador
  • Anthony J. Hervas, Interpreter

President Kennedy greeted President Arosemena and his party in his office and was presented with an album of photographs of the city of Quito by Mayor-elect Jorge Vallarino, and a gift for Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy from Mrs. Vallarino. After the exchange of greetings, all those present with the exception of the two presidents and the interpreter, Mr. Hervas, left the President’s office.

President Kennedy opened the conversation by saying that he agreed with the statement made by President Arosemena during their previous meeting on July 23 at the White House to the effect that there has been a great increase in the expectations of the peoples of this Hemisphere. He added, however, that no one has a perfect solution for the difficult problems to be solved, and pointed out that in this country also there are differences of opinion which result in changes of the political party in power.

The hope was expressed by President Kennedy that it will be possible to carry out in this Hemisphere a common effort toward progress. He noted that it is necessary to secure support for the Alliance for Progress program as well as financing for the Inter-American Development Bank. He added that it also is essential for Ecuador to adopt reform measures necessary to insure the success of these programs.

[Facsimile Page 2]

President Arosemena expressed his agreement with President Kennedy’s remarks and added that he realized that there were problems within the United States arising from differences of opinion within and between the two major political parties. He also expressed his appreciation of the difficulties which must be overcome in achieving domestic support for United States foreign aid programs.

In reply, President Kennedy observed that there are two factors essential to the success of our joint undertaking, whether it be called [Typeset Page 254] the Punta del Este Agreement, the Alianza Para el Progreso or Operación Pan Americana; our countries must be linked together in a common effort and within each of our countries the necessary efforts must be made to adopt essential reforms and progressive legislation. These efforts must be given adequate momentum and support.

President Arosemena stated that he agreed completely and that there was no difference in their views on this subject. He added that President Kubitschek of Brazil had originated this concept and that President Kennedy was carrying it out. He observed that this program offered President Kennedy an opportunity to assure his place in history. He further stated that Ecuador would cooperate to the fullest extent possible within its limitations.

President Kennedy referred to the feeling within the Hemisphere that, with the exception of the period of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Administration, the United States has been identified with reactionary forces in Latin America rather than with progressive elements. He expressed the hope that the United States would be better understood in the Hemisphere for its positive contributions.

The meeting was concluded when President Kennedy presented an autographed copy of his latest book to President Arosemena.

  1. Alliance for Progress. Confidential. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, NSF, Country Series, Ecuador, April–August, 1962.↩