835.504/135: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Armour)
A–1697. The Department presumes that the companies affected will take up with the appropriate Argentine authorities the decree of [Page 532] October 21 concerning telecommunications to which you refer in your 2607 of November 3.
In the circumstances it would not seem necessary for you at this time to approach the Argentine authorities on this matter. However, for your own background information and in the event that in the future you should deem it advisable to approach the Argentine authorities on the application of the decree the following is the general attitude which the Department believes you might appropriately take:
The Argentine Government has, of course, the legal right to require that only Argentine citizens shall be employed in Argentine telecommunication systems. On the other hand in the United States there is no similar legal requirement and communication companies in this country may and in fact do employ aliens. The only restriction is that the Federal Communications Commission may only issue radio operator’s licenses to American citizens. We have been informally advised by the British Embassy here that there is no requirement in Great Britain that communication companies should not employ aliens.
It is quite obvious that the sudden dismissal of communication technicians of alien nationality from Argentine communication companies would have a very serious effect on the companies concerned and the individuals dismissed. Therefore, while this Government admits the strict legal right of the Argentine Government to replace foreigners with Argentine nationals in existing communication systems it is earnestly hoped that the proposed change will only take place in a very gradual manner so as to cause the least possible economic disturbance to the companies and individuals concerned. It is also hoped that in any event, if found to be necessary, any company affected by the decree will be allowed to employ technical advisers of foreign nationality.
The matter has been discussed informally with the British Embassy here which is telegraphing the British Embassy in Buenos Aires to seek its views in this matter. In view of the similarity in interests of our two countries with regard to the application of the decree of October 26, I believe it would be helpful if you kept in close touch with your British colleague so that the two governments may maintain parallel and similar positions in this case.
Please continue to keep the Department advised by telegraph of all developments and if necessary request further instructions.