140. Information Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson1
Washington, July 9, 1966.
SUBJECT
- Argentine Situation
The Ongania Government is not expected to make a helpful public statement over the weekend on respect for human rights, peaceful settlement of border disputes and eventual elections.
The Argentine Foreign Minister late yesterday sent word to the Embassy that
- —the question of elections is difficult and requires careful study and precise definition.
- —there is no problem on human rights and peaceful settlement and this will be made clear “in forthcoming actions and statements” (no time indicated).
- —he fully understands that the U.S. is not laying down conditions for recognition.
- —he regrets that our suggestion for a public statement now could not be adopted.2
In the balance of a public statement, we will put off recognition until sometime next week. More than half of the Latin American countries are with us in holding up on recognition. Those who have recognized are: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
WGB
3
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Argentina, Vol. II, 9/64–3/67. Confidential. A copy was sent to Bill Moyers. The memorandum was “sent by wire” to the LBJ Ranch.↩
- As reported in telegram 125 from Buenos Aires, July 8. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 15 ARG)↩
- Bowdler initialed the memorandum for Rostow.↩