<--PREV Doc #258  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #260 Document #259; June 22, 1953 To Juan Domingo Peron Series: EM, AWF, International Series: Argentina The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part II: Settling into "the long pull"; May 1953 to August 1953 Chapter 4: Striving for Unity   Dear Mr. President:1 I am happy that my brother, Dr. Milton Eisenhower, is presenting this message to you personally on my behalf. I am particularly pleased, moreover, that he is leading a group of highly qualified officials of the Government of the United States who can discuss with you and your associates problems which are of mutual concern to our two countries and to both you and me.2 The people of the United States have long had a sympathetic interest in the people of Argentina, and the friendly relations between our two countries have been carried out in many constructive ways. I am confident that there are ways in which it will be possible further to strengthen the cooperative relationships between our two Governments and peoples. You may be sure that it is the firm intention of this Government to encourage all aspects of our mutually beneficial relations.3 With my best wishes to your Excellency, Sincerely 1 For background on Peron, president of the Republic of Argentina since 1946, see Galambos, Chief of Staff, no. 1272, and Columbia University, no. 166. A similar letter was sent to the presidents of nine other Latin American republics (all correspondence in AWF/I). 2 Milton Eisenhower, accompanied by four State Department officials, would tour ten countries of Latin America from June 23 to July 29 (for background see nos. 89 and 159). His mission, as outlined by the President, was to assure the governments of these countries that "sound economic, military, political, and cultural relationships" were important for the future; to gain a "broad continental perspective of those conditions which affect the relationship of the United States with the republics of Latin America"; and to consider what changes in United States policies might lead to "meaningful unity" (U.S. Department of State Bulletin 29, no. 752 [November 23, 1953], 695). Although relations with Argentina had been strained for a decade (see Galambos, Chief of Staff), a softening in Peron's approach to the United States had begun after Eisenhower's election (State, Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. IV, The American Republics, pp. 432, 440). The inclusion of Argentina on Milton Eisenhower's itinerary was threatened, however, by restrictions placed against American news agencies in May (New York Times, May 10, 12, l953). The President expressed strong feelings about the visit to Secretary Dulles. "Why crawl on our knees," he said, "to a man who kicks us in the teeth?" (Telephone conversation, June 16, Dulles Papers, Chronological Series). In a later memorandum to the President, Dulles made a strong case for the the Argentine visit, citing the endorsement of prominent newsmen and "numerous other American interests" (State, Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. IV, The American Republics, p. 440). In fact, the abbreviated visit produced an extraordinary welcome, including "red carpets, colorful bands, military honor guards, and other courtesies" (Milton Eisenhower, The Wine Is Bitter, p. 64). The trip, according to an internal State Department memorandum, also led to a slowdown in propaganda attacks, freedom for U.S. newsmen, and a "much stronger stand against communism . . . in both statement and action" (State, Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. IV, The American Republics, p. 451). For Milton Eisenhower's report of the mission see U.S. Department of State Bulletin 29, no. 752 [November 23, 1953], 695-717. Peron would write the President after Milton Eisenhower's visit (Peron to Eisenhower, July 20, AWF/D-H) about the "frank talks" held and his desire to develop the "best possible relations between our two countries, since I firmly believe that there are currently no reasons why matters should stand on any other footing." Eisenhower would respond on August 5 thanking Peron for the cordiality extended to his brother and for several gifts, among them a globe "which, I am told, originated in Moscow and symbolizes the desire of the Kremlin to rule the world. . . . As my brother said to you, there will be no attempt to paint this globe red, white, and blue" (WHCF/OF 116-J-1). Eisenhower would write again this same day with added thanks for an alligator bag sent to Mrs. Eisenhower (AWF/I: Argentina). 3 For further developments see no. 523. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Juan Domingo Peron, 22 June 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 259. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/259.cfm <--PREV Doc #258  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #260

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