201. Paper Prepared in the Department of State1
Washington,
November 15,
1963.
SUBJECT
- The President’s Meeting with the Argentine Vice President
Dr. Carlos Humberto Perette, Vice
President of the Republic of Argentina, has accepted an invitation from
Mayor Robert King High of Miami, Florida, to visit Miami from November
17 to 23 to participate in “Argentine Week”, sponsored by the City of
Miami. Perette will be seated on the platform at a dinner given in
President Kennedy’s honor in
Miami at 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 18. Perette has been informed that
the President will see him for a brief, informal conversation in a
manner convenient to the President. We believe it important to our
relations with the new Argentine Government that the President meet with
Perette, as Ambassador McClintock has recommended.
Perette’s political career has been notable for the opportunism and
extreme nationalism he has displayed. Although the Vice President in
Argentina does not usually play a major policy-making role, Perette is a
controversial politician who has been the leader of the ultranationalist
elements who are pressing Argentine President to take immediate action
to annul the oil contracts.
Dr. Perette speaks English.
The following are enclosed for use by the President in connection with
Perette’s visit to Miami. The Secretary has not had an opportunity to
review this memorandum.
Attachment
SUBJECT
- Talking Points to Use With Carlos
H. Perette, Vice President of Argentina
- 1.
- The United States was gratified that the Argentine elections
last July were conducted in accordance with the highest
traditions of representative
[Page 418]
democracy and we wish the new Government
of Argentina well.
- 2.
- We believe the revival of public confidence following the
elections and the installation of the new Argentine Government
provide an opportunity for the country to work its way rapidly
to improve its economic situation and resume a position of
leadership in the hemisphere. We respect and admire the
declaration in President Illia’s inaugural address that the Argentine
Government is determined to make better use of its own
resources. We were also pleased that at the same time he
expressed such strong support for the Alliance for Progress. We
believe it is clear that it is not President Illia’s intention to take the
ultranationalistic view that Argentina should “go it alone”.
While this view might appeal to some political groups in
Argentina, it would have unfortunate long-term effects on both
Argentina and all her friends in the hemisphere, as the history
of the Perón era demonstrated.
- 3.
- We believe the record of United States relations with
Argentina, particularly during the difficult year and a half
preceding the inauguration of the Illia-Perette Government indicates our real
desire to be helpful. Dr. Perette may not
be aware that the United States Government provided more than
$290 million in loans or refinancing arrangements to Argentina
during this period. We also encouraged private United States as
well as foreign governmental and international lending
institutions to help Argentina during this difficult period.
These actions on our part undoubtedly helped the interim
Argentine Government prevent the country’s economic recession
from spreading into a deep depression. This stabilization of
economic conditions also had important political results as
well, since it made it possible for elections to be held in a
reasonable atmosphere.
- 4.
-
It is our hope that Argentina, as a leading power in the
hemisphere and as a country which has maintained an
exemplary reputation for its actions relating to
international business, will continue to set a good example
for other countries which are less well endowed.
The appropriation bill for our contribution to the Alliance
for Progress is now before the United States Congress. The
Congress and the people of the United States are deeply
concerned over the fact that, while the United States
Government has been fulfilling its financial commitments ($1
billion a year) made at Punta del Este, private funds
considered necessary to support an adequate level of growth
in Latin America have not been forthcoming. The fact of the
matter is that actions motivated primarily by domestic
political considerations in a number of Latin American
countries have seriously diminished the flow of private
foreign investment to Latin America and have caused domestic
Latin American investors to send large sums abroad.
[Page 419]
In these circumstances, we would regard it as a great
misfortune if Argentine Government’s action on the oil
contracts would take a form which the United States people
and Congress would regard as expropriatory.3
- 5.
-
The United States Government would like to continue to be
helpful to Argentina. We know that other friendly
Governments take a similar view, and we understand that
private United States firms would increase their investments
in Argentina if they were assured of political stability and
reasonable treatment.
We have never questioned the right of Argentina to manage its
own natural resources. However, if this is done in an unwise
way and American firms do not receive just treatment, the
United States Government can not call on its taxpayers to
get the Argentine Government out of economic
difficulties.
- 6.
- We have no indication that Perette will wish to discuss civil
aviation matters. However because of his special interest in
this subject and as a result of a request by Mr.
Feldman a background paper on United
States-Argentine civil air relations is enclosed.4
