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

834.00/2–149: Telegram

The Department of State to the Embassy in Paraguay

confidential

Washington, February 7, 1949—4 p. m.

7. Dept suggests fol factors be considered in your recommendations re continuance normal relations urtel 39 Feb 1 since there is some question whether suspension relations wld effectively encourage democratic processes or increase polit stability.¹

1. According urtel 39, new elections wld be limited to Colo Party. These may prove as unrepresentative as González election, thus making them doubtful reason for later resumption relations.

2. Urtel 39 reports elimination González apparently popular and new Govt more broadly supported. Slight not suspension relations fol announced policy follow Constitutional forms be regarded indirect support of González?

3. Constitutional procedure in appt temp successor González similar that followed after Morínigo deposed. Prompt notification was given Frutos² Govt of continuation relations. Are not reasons equally applicable and even more justifiable this instance where various factions apparently encouraged by actions thus far taken and inclusion various elements in Cabinet?

4. Dept impressed by report Braz as well as Arg has contd relations new Parag Govt.

5. Parag Emb informally urging early action.

Your further comments entire problem urgently requested, particularly in light Para 3 Bogotá Res 35.³

Acheson

1. Telegram 39 not printed. In it, the Chargé in Paraguay (Randolph) recommended to the Department that the United States should defer continuing normal relations until Paraguay complied with the promise of the provisional government to hold elections (834.00/2–149).
2. Juan Manuel Frutos, President of the Supreme Court, had become Provisional President of Paraguay in June 1948 upon the ouster of President Morínigo.
3. The text of the resolution is printed in Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. ix, p. 98; paragraph 3 recorded the declaration of the Bogotá Conference “that the establishment or maintenance of diplomatic relations with a government does not imply any judgment upon the domestic policy of that government”.