102. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
4059. Subject: The Secretary’s Meeting With Argentine FonMin Pastor
1. (C–Entire text).
2. Summary: FonMin Pastor complimented the Secretary on his UNGA address.2 They discussed the Havana NAM Summit, assistance to Nicaragua, Soviet troops in Cuba, the Human Rights Commission visit and the effect of Human Rights on US/Argentine relations. End summary.
3. The Secretary met with Argentine Foreign Minister Pastor on September 24. Also attending were Argentine Ambassador Aja Espil, Under Secretary Newsom and ARA Deputy Assistant Secretary Eaton.
4. Secretary’s UNGA statement. The Foreign Minister complimented the Secretary on his UNGA speech, particularly his call for greater cooperation to combat terrorism; his reference to the Tokyo round3 to which Argentina had been the first country to adhere; and his focus on the refugee problem. In this regard, he informed the Secretary that Argentina had already received the first group of Indochinese refugees. The Secretary expressed very great pleasure at this news.
5. NAM Summit.4 Pastor said Argentina was not only a friendly country, but also an ally to the U.S. Argentina had sought to support US-favored positions at the NAM Summit in Havana, particularly against efforts to undermine the inter-American system and on Puerto Rico. This is not just for the benefit of the US but because of a coincidence of policies between our two countries. The Secretary expressed his appreciation for Argentine efforts in Havana and said that while he was unhappy with many of the conclusions of the Havana Summit Communique, he was pleased that much of the language of the document affecting the hemisphere was changed. He was also happy that [Page 335] the position advocated by President Tito of maintaining the movement’s true non-alignment had prevailed.
6. Nicaraguan assistance. The Secretary was happy to report to the Foreign Minister that since their last meeting in Quito5 the US had been able to proceed with humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Nicaragua and that we had been able to reprogram funds from other areas. We were considering also a supplemental budget for not only Nicaragua but also El Salvador, Honduras and possibly Guatemala. These funds would be keyed to the efforts of these countries to address the problems which they face, particularly in moving toward more democratic societies. The US had found itself somewhat hamstrung, however, in dealing with emergency situations, and he intended to seek a contingency fund for economic and military assistance in unexpected crises. Pastor said Argentina had decided to give important assistance to Nicaragua, not in financial aid, however, but food aid. His country would give “many thousands of tons” of wheat to Nicaragua. Argentina was distrustful of not only the radicals, but also the moderates in Nicaragua. The Secretary said, however, that if an effort was not made to support the moderates we would yield the field to the radicals which would not be in the interest of the region. Pastor asked what type of military assistance was contemplated. The Secretary clarified that the contingency fund to which he referred was for worldwide use; however, in Central America an example of US assistance would be helpful in providing spare parts of aircraft engines to El Salvador.
7. Soviet troops in Cuba. FonMin Pastor recalled that Argentina had been the first Latin country to extend naval and air assistance in the 1962 missile crisis. Argentina, therefore, was concerned about the presence of Soviet combat troops in Cuba. The Secretary said that immediately upon confirmation that the brigade was there the fact was made public and the US entered into discussions with the Soviet Union. The US was seeking rectification of the situation and had taken the position that the status quo is unacceptable. We are seeking a solution based on changes in the status quo which are satisfactory to us.
8. Meeting of American armies. Pastor asked what position the US would take regarding Nicaragua’s presence at the meeting of American armies to take place in Colombia. The Secretary said we would favor Nicaragua’s presence.
9. IAHRC visit. The Secretary asked how the visit of the Human Rights Commission,6 which he termed a positive step, had gone. Pastor [Page 336] said the visit had been “very satisfactory in general terms” because the GOA had given full facilities to the commission which was able to conduct its business freely. He believed the report would be objective, normal and reasonable. He said, “we do not expect applause or congratulations, but understanding.” He felt it would be difficult for the members of the commission to understand the difference between the situation today and that obtaining in the 1973–75 period in Argentina and to note the economic progress which has been made.
10. Human Rights in US/Argentine relations. Pastor said it was important for the US to differentiate between what is temporary or circumstantial and what is permanent. He said the war against subversion had been a real war and Argentina had suffered an influx of subversives from Uruguay and Chile. “Every war,” he pointed out, “has its dead, its missing in action, and its prisoners.” Argentina, however, was traditionally a country which respects Human Rights and constitutionality; it would have to overcome “this sad period.” It was important for the US to understand that the problem is not permanent. National Security had to take priority over Human Rights; now that the former is guaranteed, Human Rights abuses would end rapidly.
The Secretary said he appreciated the conviction with which Minister Pastor had spoken. The US was concerned, however, about recent disappearances and hoped they would be cleared up.7 Pastor said the Secretary “could be assured of that.” He also expressed the hope that Human Rights in Argentina would not become an issue in the US electoral campaign. “We do not want to be pushed away from the US because we coincide in all issues,” he said. The Secretary responded that the US speaks of these issues “as a friend, putting the cards on the table.” We had a mutual concern on these issues and did not wish these issues to divide us.
11. Recommend Department repeat to AmEmbassies Buenos Aires and Managua. Above text has been cleared with ARA DAS Eaton.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Records of Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State, 1977–80, Lot 84D241, Box 9, Vance EXDIS memcons 1979. Confidential; Exdis.↩
- The text of Vance’s September 24 address is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, November 1979, pp. 1–6.↩
- Reference is to the Tokyo Round of multilateral trade negotiations (1973–1979) that took place in Geneva.↩
- The sixth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement took place in Havana, September 3–9.↩
- See Document 101.↩
- In telegram 7875 from Buenos Aires, September 21, the Embassy assessed the Commission’s September 5–20 visit: “Though their visit may have made human rights an issue for many hitherto unconcerned or uncaring Argentines, it is less certain it changed very many minds or contributed to a cessation of the practices that have earned Argentina a reputation as a major human rights violator and have strained US-Argentine relations.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790432–0933)↩
- In telegram 8067 from Buenos Aires, September 28, the Embassy reported that it had recorded “a total of 13 people who have disappeared since August 1 and not reappeared.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790445–0215) In telegram 6707 from Buenos Aires, August 16, the Embassy noted that “the repression is continuing along recognized and previously reported lines, but with a sharp reduction in intake of victims.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790372–0975) In telegram 8074, October 1, the Embassy reported Viola’s comments regarding recent disappearances. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790449–0862)↩