4
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT to PRIME MINISTER.
T. 1679/4. 26.8.44.
Your 766.*
We are watching with sympathetic interest your efforts to
get Argentina in line with our appetites, and we hope your efforts
will be crowned with success.
I have no doubt that a satisfactory meat contract will be
arranged. After all, they must sell their beef and no other diner
is in sight.
*T. 1655/4.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT to PRIME MINISTER.
T. 1709/4. 1.9.44.
In connection with the Argentine meat negotiations you have
no doubt seen the message to Buenos Aires from the Argentine
Ambassador in London, in which the Ambassador warned his Government
that its difficulties were "no longer centered on suspension
of relations with the United States" and that Argentina
was being placed "in a position of isolation vis-a-vis the
Allied and friendly nations." He added that according to
a "big meat packer the Allied nations are now in a position
to do without Argentine meat for six months with no trouble at
all and for twelve months with some sacrifice." The Ambassador
also said that his information tallies with that from the Argentine
commercial counselor in Washington and with the view expressed
for some time past by the Ambassador himself that the United
Nations may make fewer purchases from Argentina.
Since we know that the Colonels are falling all over themselves
to get you to buy their meat. I am confident that you will agree
that the Ambassador's message was an extremely bad piece of news
for them.
All the evidence that has come to my attention reinforces
our belief that you are in an excellent position to use the negotiations
to support the whole Allied stand in this hemisphere against
this broad Fascist movement. You will certainly have no trouble
on the beef and mutton matter in any event.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT to PRIME MINISTER.
%T. 1917/4. 11.10.44.
We have been informed by Winant that the Ministry of Food
now intends to conclude a four-year contract for the exportable
surplus of Argentine meat with prices firm for the first two
years. Winant does not state whether the proposal of the Ministry
of Food has been approved by the Government.
I feel very strongly that the conclusion of any contract at the
present time would seriously prejudice our entire stand and would
create the impression in Argentina, throughout the American Republics
and in this country that we are not stranding together on this
important problem. Your people here in Washington have undoubtedly
informed you that the position which we have taken toward Argentina
has the overwhelming support of our Press and of all sectors
of our public.
You will recall that your people negotiated for ten long months
before you signed up your last contract with Argentina, and that
was done before the Colonels took over in Buenos Aires
For the reasons which I have expressed to you on several occasions,
and which I recently expressed publicly, I hope you will continue
on a month-to-month basis for some time to come. I feel that
we can break this problem if we present a firm united stand during
the weeks immediately ahead.
PRIME MINISTER to PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
T. 1923/4. 13.10.44.
Your No. 628*
I have given instructions to the Food Minister that no long-term
contract is to be negotiated for the next couple of months or
so and that we are to proceed meanwhile on a month-to-month basis,
during which time we can discuss matters further. We are worried
for fear that French, Belgian and presently the Dutch will come
into the market with plenty of gold. Nevertheless we shall make
no arrangement at present time but later on I must address you
again on the subject.
*T. 1917/4.