Office of the Historian

415. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Peru1

Washington, March 24, 1962, 6:01 p.m.

723. Following is summary of conversation with President concerning political situation in Peru:

Ambassador Loeb outlined the political situation in Peru. He said that an APRA victory was possible2 and that the Peruvian military had indicated that they would not accept such a victory and might attempt to prevent an ARPA assumption of power through military force.

It was agreed that it was not in the United States interest to have a military takeover in Peru if APRA won and that we should try and prevent military intervention in case of an APRA victory.

The President agreed the Ambassador should inform key members of the Peruvian military that we appreciated the traditional friendship of the armed forces with the United States and respected their vigorous and effective anti-communism. However, they had to realize that the United States was committed in the hemisphere, and in the eyes of its own people and Congress, to the support of non-communist constitutional governments throughout the hemisphere. Therefore, if APRA won and the Peruvian military threw them out it would be extremely difficult for us to recognize a government installed by the military or to continue our aid program with such a government.

The President said that the extent to which the US position was pressed would depend upon the discretion of the Ambassador as to the point at which implied threats would become counterproductive of the goal of halting a military takeover in the event of an APRA victory. In line with this the Ambassador was authorized to go as far as stating that it would be “impossible” to recognize a government installed by the military or to continue our aid program with such a government. Furthermore, the Ambassador was also authorized to refer to the fact that he had discussed these matters with the President and other high government officials. If the Ambassador felt it necessary to quote the President directly or to have a Presidential instruction which he could read to Peruvian officials he was to request this from the Department.

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 723.00/3-2462. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Goodwin; cleared by Belcher, Poole, Bromley Smith, and S/S; and approved by E.M. Martin.↩
  2. Presidential elections were scheduled in Peru for June 10.↩