Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980 Volume XXIV, South America; Latin America Region

100. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, July 27, 1979

SUBJECT

• U.S.-Argentina Relations

PARTICIPANTS

• Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David D. Newsom
• Argentina Ambassador Aja Espil

During the course of a luncheon conversation, Ambassador Aja Espil stressed the need for a continuing dialogue with his country. He noted that it had been more than a year since my visit to Buenos Aires and a considerable time since the important meeting between Vice President Mondale and President Videla in Rome.²

Some new contact at a high level was necessary in order to give support to the moderate elements in Argentina at a time when the military were reacting to a series of “shocks.” He mentioned the Nicaraguan situation and the Argentine vote in favor of our resolution at the OAS.³ Also adverse from the military’s standpoint were the recent visits of John Oakes of the New York Times—who wrote two articles critical of the regime on May 15–16⁴—and a delegation from the New York Bar Association. The problem with the military will be further aggravated by the results of the upcoming visit of the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission.⁵

The Ambassador emphasized that the vote on behalf of our resolution should be seen by us as a positive step to be acknowledged. He acknowledged that there were still human rights problems, but said there had been progress in the release of prisoners and the reduced number of disappearances. He acknowledged that the Timmerman case and the inability of the government to account for the disappeared remained serious problems.

He suggested that Ambassador Vaky might consider a visit to Buenos Aires after the inauguration of the Bolivian President in La Paz on August 6 (if this takes place).⁶ He suggested, also, that the Secretary receive the new Foreign Minister, Pastor, who will be in New York from September 22 to 26. He said “even a half hour” would be very important.

The Ambassador said it was important, particularly in view of the OAS vote to explain to the Argentine government our view on the Nicaraguan situation. The military reaction to this had been further aggravated by the appearance last week in Managua of a Montonero leader who proclaimed that “what has happened in Managua will happen next in Buenos Aires.”

I responded by agreeing to discuss the matters he had raised further with Ambassador Vaky. I said we wanted good relations with Argentina, but that some of the matters he had raised clearly stood in the way. I asked whether, for example, it would be possible to make any progress on Timmerman. He said, “perhaps at the end of the year.” He said Timmerman, unfortunately, talks too much and says the wrong things as far as the military is concerned.⁷

On Nicaragua, I suggested that Argentina had close relations with some of the Andean states, such as Venezuela and that his government might want to talk to these countries. I said we were trying to take a less central role and to leave such matters as much as possible to the Latin American states directly interested. The Ambassador acknowledged this, but insisted that his government still considered us “the key.”

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, David Newsom Files, 1978–81, Lot 81D154, Box 14, Latin America. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Newsom. The meeting took place in the Embassy of Argentina. The time of the luncheon is not indicated in the memorandum. Copies were sent to ARA, HA, S/P, S, D, P, and the Embassy in Buenos Aires.
2. See Documents 80 and 90.
3. Additional documentation is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XV, Central America.
4. “Argentina’s Terror,” New York Times, May 15, 1979, p. A19; “Vanished in Argentina,” New York Times, May 16, 1979, p. A27.
5. The IAHRC visit, originally scheduled for May 1979, was postponed until September due to scheduling conflicts of members of the Commission. (Telegram 163619 to all American Republic diplomatic posts, June 24; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790286–0608)
6. See Document 147.
7. In telegram 6082 from Buenos Aires, July 26, Castro reported on his meeting with Camps. Camps said: “Timerman was a dangerous subversive as he had poisoned the minds of young people by his Marxist writings in La Opinion.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790339–0880)