Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

810.00/12–2249

Memorandum by the United States Representative to the Organization of American States (Daniels)¹

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[Washington,] December 22, 1949.

This morning Mr. Linares, Chargé d’Affaires of Guatemala, spoke to me in regard to the presentation by Cuba of the Caribbean situation to the Inter-American Peace Committee. He said that he had been in touch with Foreign Minister Gonzalez Arévalo, and was under instructions to keep the latter currently informed. He referred to his presence at the last meeting of the Peace Committee on this subject, pointing out that he had not said anything during the whole meeting but was there merely as observer. He asked if I thought the matter would be referred to the COAS under the Rio Treaty.

I said I felt quite sure that the Inter-American Peace Committee would not refer the matter to the COAS under present conditions, although I was unable to predict what the Cuban representative might do. I added the expression of my own opinion that if, by any chance the Cuban representative were to submit the matter to the Council seeking invocation of the Rio Treaty, probably the majority of the Council would not support such action by the Council. I also said I thought the Cuban representative was going too far in attempting to capitalize, through inter-American organizations and for political reasons, on the message of President Trujillo.

Linares seemed to be in entire agreement with the foregoing and added that he had no intention of involving Guatemala in the debate unless, by any chance, the Dominican representative were to make charges against Guatemala. He said that in this case he would, of course, have to defend his country’s position.

I said I hoped this contingency would not arise, and agreed with him that Guatemala was doing well in staying out of the present argument.²

1. Addressed to the Office of Middle American Affairs.
2. On December 29, the Inter-American Peace Committee completed action on the Cuban complaint by approving a communication to the Dominican Government calling attention to the Rio Treaty and U.N. Charter and pointing out that all American Governments had condemned war and were obligated not to resort to the threat or use of force in any manner incompatible with their international obligations and to settle their disputes by peaceful means (839.00/12–3049).