Office of the Historian

177. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Spain1

Washington, March 21, 1962, 4:22 p.m.

914. Refs urtel 1209 and Buenos Aires to Dept 1680 repeated to Madrid niact 9.2 We appreciate considerations raised urtel 1209 and also doubt any approach to GOS would be effective. We would like to give sympathetic response to President Frondizi however and have consequently asked our Ambassador to tell him we have requested our Embassy Madrid to explore what it may be possible to do in response to his request.3 If upon further consideration you feel that approach at appropriate level in Spanish Government might be helpful in situation described BA telegram 1680 you are authorized in your discretion to make it.

Despite statement Foreign Office official (Embtel 1299 June 7, 1961)4 Peron so far had kept his word to refrain political activity, we have received reports he has remained in contact with Peronista organizations in Argentina with some Peronista leaders having visited him in Spain.

You will understand any approach to GOS should be handled so as to minimize possibility public disclosure U.S. interest.

Report your conclusions and any action you may take.5

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 735.00/3-2062. Top Secret. Drafted by Wellman, cleared in EUR/WE, and approved by Martin. Repeated to Buenos Aires.↩
  2. In telegram 1680 from Buenos Aires, March 20, McClintock reported a conversation with Frondizi who asked the United States urgently to approach Generalissimo Franco. Frondizi wanted Franco to prevent Juan Peron, in exile in Spain, from sending instructions to Peronist militants in Argentina to incite riots, strikes, bombing incidents, or other demonstrations against the Frondizi government. In telegram 1209 from Madrid, the Embassy recommended against direct representation to Franco as it was unlikely to lead to success. Instead, the Embassy proposed to make the approach to the Foreign Office. It was not hopeful of strong Spanish cooperation. (Both ibid.)↩
  3. In telegram 1701 to Buenos Aires, March 21. (Ibid.)↩
  4. Not printed. (Ibid., 735.00/6-761)↩
  5. In telegram 1246 from Madrid, March 23, the Embassy reported that it took up the “Peron problem” with Foreign Minister Fernando Maria Castiella who agreed that Peron should maintain silence, assured the Embassy that Peron had agreed to do so, and that Peron was not sending instructions to Peronists in Argentina. Castiella stated that Spain was sympathetic to Frondizi. (Ibid., 735.00/3-2362)↩