93. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Argentina1
250739. Subject: Secretary Vance’s Meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Montes.
1. Secretary Vance met with Argentine Foreign Minister Montes on September 29 in New York. Ambassador Ros and Ambassador Aja Espil of Argentina and Under Secretary Newsom were also present. Foreign Minister Montes raised the Humphrey/Kennedy Amendment and the Treaty of Tlatelolco and offered Argentine assistance on Middle East efforts.
2. Montes noted that during the meeting between Vice President Mondale and President Videla in Rome,2 it was agreed that certain steps were to be taken by the United States and then by Argentina. He had been informed of the increased flexibility in the US Ex-Im Bank3 and thanked the secretary for this. The next step, was up to Argentina. He left in Buenos Aires a draft of the positive reply to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IAHRC) and Videla plans to reply before the deadline. Montes hoped that if the IAHRC goes to Argentina it will be as objective as possible.
3. Montes noted that the Humphrey/Kennedy amendment goes into effect October 1. For many years the U.S. has supplied Argentine military equipment and training. The cut off of spare parts will be particularly difficult. Perhaps the next step would be for the U.S. to review the situation and determine if legally spare parts could be supplied to Argentina. Ambassador Newsom noted that the Brooke [Page 304] Amendment makes it possible to release some goods where the contract was made before the Humphrey/Kennedy Amendment. We had reviewed some cases and had released some items, including helicopters and periscopes. Newsom added that the USG had looked at a number of items in light of legislation and inequities to manufacturers. Consultations with Congress, however, indicated the authors of the amendment took a strict view with regard to military supplies, especially spare parts. Newsom said that the United States recognized the hardship for Argentina but must await an improved situation and congressional action. Montes noted that in terms of the political relationship spare parts were very important. Secretary Vance said he would look into the issue.4
4. Montes noted that there was some concern in the United States and especially in the State Department with regard to the Treaty of Tlatelolco.5 He explained the process of ratification. The Foreign Ministry sent a draft to the defense and economic ministries and then the treaty was sent to the president. The president returned it to the Foreign Ministry for changes and the treaty was sent to the defense ministry on August 14 for signature. It then went again to the presidency. From there it was sent to the administrative and legislative commission for approval. Montes indicated it would then require presidential signature to complete formal legal ratification. He emphasized that in accordance with Videla’s instructions, all steps in the ratification process would be taken as expeditiously as possible.
5. The secretary briefed Montes on Camp David and Montes congratulated him on the success. Montes related that when he spoke with President Ceausescu in Romania, the Romanian leader said that Argentina could use its good offices effectively with both the Arabs and the Israelis. Montes personally had spoken to both the Jewish and Arab communities in Argentina and offered to speak to the ambassador if the secretary though that would be useful. The Secretary said he would be grateful if Montes would speak to the ambassadors in Buenos Aires.
6. Montes said he personally had taken steps to improve relations because he felt that US/Argentina relations were fundamental to both countries and noted commercial relations were on the right track. Secre [Page 305] tary Vance expressed the desire to move the relations between the two countries in a positive direction and was pleased that the Mondale/Videla meeting had been constructive.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Records of Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State, 1977–80, Lot 84D241, Box 10, EXDIS 1978 Memcons for Vance. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Pfeifle; cleared by Ruser, Newsom, and Vaky and in S/S; and approved by Perry. Vance was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly.↩
- See Document 90.↩
- Reference is to the Ex-Im Bank financing of the Allis Chalmers project for the Yacyreta dam. In a September 26 memorandum to Brzezinski, Mathews noted, “Christopher has approved 30 of the 70 requested IMET slots for Argentina. I have discussed this with Pastor and we both agree that coming so soon after the export policy announcement and the change in the Allis Chalmers decision, this could trigger the conclusion that the US has made a major reappraisal of its human rights policy, at least with respect to Argentina.” She continued, “I see the need to send some positive signals but haven’t we already done that? In the past few weeks we have approved many spare parts and safety related munitions list items, as well as Commerce list items. Now we have reversed the Ex-Im decision. These steps seem to me more than adequate in the circumstances: IMET seems just too much.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor, Country Files, Box 1, Argentina, 9–12/78)↩
- In an October 4 memorandum to Perry, Hughes noted, “ARA drafted memo on 9/30 from Newsom to Christopher stating that Humphrey-Kennedy prohibits transfer of spare parts; memo included an L interpretation supporting this view. Newsom requested D’s concurrence to inform Argentines of this fact.” (National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Records of Cyrus Vance, Secretary of State, 1977–80, Lot 84D241, Box 10, EXDIS 1978 Memcons for Vance)↩
- See Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XXVI, Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Document 443.↩