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1553159
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July 14, 1975 - Ford, Argentina Ambassador Rafael Maximiano Vazquez
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1553159
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document
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July 14, 1975 - Ford, Argentina Ambassador Rafael Maximiano Vazquez
citationUrl
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Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006
Scowcroft, Brent, 1925-
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Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)
Ford Administration Memoranda of Conversations
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Argentina
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1553159
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14
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1975-07-14
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7
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1975
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14
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1975-07-14
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7
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1975
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File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
PARTICIPANTS:
President Ford
Rafael Maximiano Vazquez, Argentina Ambassador
to the United States
Lt. General Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant to
the President for National Security Affairs
DATE AND TIME:
Monday, July 14, 1975
4:00 p.m. (Presentation of Credentials)
PLACE:
The Oval Office
The White House
Vazquez: I am honored. We are happy to be with you. You have proved
your friendship to Argentina on many occasions. [The press entered] We
hope to support the United States and to make the Americas a solid bloc.
President: We welcome you here. I knew your predecessor well. [The
press left the room.] We are looking forward to working with you and your
country.
Vazquez: I was here before in New Orleans, two years in New York. I have
two daughters born in America. One daughter is now in Georgetown. I won't
take more of your time because I know you are busy.
President: Please give your President my regards. I know these are
difficult times and hope you will wish her my best.
Vazquez: We are maturing. Before, whenever we had a crisis, we would
think of changing governments. Now we are not.
DECLASSIFIED
FORD
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, Wn 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES, state Review 3/10/04
GERALD
MADA DATE 5/21/04
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Rafael Maximiano VAZQUEZ (VAHS-kehs)
Appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina
Ambassador Vazquez, age 55, is a career officer in the Argentine
Foreign Service. He has spent nine years at posts in the United
States during his career, including Washington as Minister-
Counselor (1969-1971). Since January of 1974 he has served as
Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. Ambassador
Vazquez is noted for his attractive personality and sense of humor.
He is married and has five daughters. He speaks fluent English.
Argentina and U.S.-Argentine Relations
Argentina is an extraordinary anomaly. Rich in land, resources
and population, and free from many of the social and racial problems
that have afflicted other nations in this century, it has always
appeared destined to join the ranks of countries like Canada and
Australia, with which it has much in common. Yet, despite its
natural advantages, Argentina has failed to reach its potential. At
the root of its failure has been its inability to develop durable
political institutions.
Argentina's latest experiment with democracy is in serious jeopardy.
General Juan Peron was elected President in 1973 with 62 percent of
the vote. On his death last July he was succeeded by his wife,
then Vice President, who became the first woman President in this
hemisphere's history. Her tenure as President is now precarious.
The broadly based, ideologically heterogeneous Peronist movement
which supported General Peron split asunder in the aftermath of
his death, and power gravitated to Mrs. Peron's confidant and
Social Welfare Minister, Jose Lopez Rega. For a variety of reasons
Lopez Rega has aroused almost universal antipathy in Argentina. In
addition, faulty economic policies created distortions and shortages
which produced labor unrest and dried up new investment. Foreign
reserves have fallen $1 billion over the past year. Inflation is
running at an annual rate of more than 100 percent, and the fiscal
deficit is enormous. Acts of terrorism and counter-terrorism continue
at a high level and accentuate both political and economic problems.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
2
An effort by Mrs. Peron on June 28 to implement an austerity
program by rolling back highly inflationary wage increases
provoked a general strike against her government by the Peronist
labor movement, coupled with demands for the removal of Lopez
Rega. She was forced to back down to the demands of labor,
restoring the wage increases and dismissing Lopez Rega from his
formal positions. He may continue, however, to exercise
influence over her.
Though U.S. interests in Argentina have been decreasing, our
overall bilateral relations with Mrs. Peron's government have been
cooperative and friendly. Her government has taken a
constructive attitude towards U.S. positions in inter-American and
world affairs. While some small investment and trade problems
exist, there are no major bilateral issues between Argentina and
the U.S. at the present time. We have been able to respond
positively to Argentine Foreign Minister Vignes' requests for
support for Ambassador Orfila's candidacy for Secretary General
of the Organization of American States (OAS); for moral support
for. Argentine efforts to obtain large-scale financing from private
U.S. banks; and for additional AID housing guarantee loans.
Argentina, in turn, was helpful in arranging for the Cuba issue
to be deferred for consideration at the upcoming conference in
Costa Rica rather than at the OAS General Assembly in Washington.
Points You Might Raise
-- I am pleased to welcome you to Washington, a city with
which you are already familiar from your past diplomatic
experience here. I hope you will find your stay here a
both pleasant and productive one.
-- We look forward to maintaining frank and friendly relations
with Argentina and to continuing the open dialogue within
the Hemisphere as we face mutual problems and opportunities
in a spirit of cooperation and respect.
-- Please convey my best wishes to your President and to the
Argentine people.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
N
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DECL ASSIPIED
E.O. 12058, SEC. 3.5
BY. in
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98. STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES state Review 3/10/04
NARA DATE 5/21/04
LIBRARY