710 Consultation 4/11–444: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics Except Argentina
The Foreign Ministers of Colombia and Ecuador have issued press statements to the effect that after consultation between their two countries and Venezuela, they favor acceptance of the Argentine proposal. However, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister has informed our Ambassador that these statements were issued without consulting Venezuela and that his country will make no reply or public statement until a consensus of opinion has been reached after full consultations with the other Republics. The Ecuadoran Foreign Minister has informed our Ambassador that his press declaration was intended to explain Ecuador’s interest in the holding of a meeting of Foreign Ministers and that the Argentine proposal was purely coincidental to this desire. He added that Ecuador had not received any communication either from Argentina or the Pan American Union and would make no reply to Argentina or to the Union until after full consultation with other governments.
Assurances have also been received from remaining Republics, except Guatemala, that they will make no reply either to Argentina or to the Union pending full consultation, and all countries have recognized the undesirability of precipitate action in the matter.
The Department has, of course, been giving most careful consideration to the various aspects of the situation created by the Argentine proposal, but for reasons which can not now be disclosed, it will not be possible for the Department to indicate its views in detail or to discuss possible course of action for another few days.
Cables have been received indicating that the other Republics are anxious to have our views. The Department fully appreciates the difficulties of the position in which you may thus find yourself, but is counting upon you to forestall for the time being any further statements or action on the part of the government to which you are accredited. It is particularly important that you impress upon the government the desirability of avoiding precipitate action, and you may assure the Foreign Minister that the definitive views of this Government will be transmitted at the earliest possible moment.