191. Telegram From the Embassy in Argentina to the Department of State1
2050. Pass to Army, Air, AFCIN, Navy. Reference: Embassy telegram 2047, June 21.2 While immediate threat to government’s stability passed, military ferment continues to degree not yet clear.
Office of Secretary of War last night issued press communiqués saying that in meeting at War Secretariat evening of June 19 attended by all commanders of units in federal capital and Greater Buenos Aires and presided over by CINC Army, participants confirmed total support Secretariat of War in defense constitutional order. Communiqués said relief Director and Sub-Director Motorized Antiaircraft Artillery School in Mar del Plata due entirely to matters related to military discipline.
In contrast with side statement June 20, Correo de la Tarde, which edited by Naval Captain Manrique former chief Aramburu’s military household and which customarily criticizes government severely while warning against revolution, summed up political situation as follows:
Tired of being used in repressive role by government which does not inspire confidence so far as concerns really democratic solutions, armed forces (with moral support of other forces) make demands and adopted attitude of passive rebellion.
Government tried to discipline them but obliged to give way on at least one point, resignation Under Secretary War. But it relieved generals who presented demands.
Army units expressed solidarity with their leaders since correctness their position recognized when Under Secretary’s resignation accepted. Army withdrew support from government despite solidarity expressed to War Secretary by army commanders Buenos Aires.
Navy maintained position of defense constitutional legality, making clear this independent person who occupies presidency by election or by succession in event post is vacated. Air Force adopted same attitude.
Various military leaders, including some who outstanding in liberating revolution, named as leaders of reaction against government policy.
[Page 581]Practically all armed forces in knowledge that principal reason for having reached this unhappy state was government’s devious policies, unwilling to accept sacrifice of said eminent leaders as price of maintaining government which does not inspire confidence that it will maintain order and defend democracy in country.
Conviction reached country must be directed along road of pure democracy, without infamous alliances with agents of dictatorship or Communists, but now, without delay. Continuity present government only an accident, desirable out of respect for constitutional order but not at price of abandoning or postponing objective referred to.
Government’s claim crisis overcome inexact. Meanwhile, efforts to use labor front against military continue.
Nationalist elements, including General Bengoa, trying to take advantage of situation. Trying to use Peronists through Frigerio. Country can no longer tolerate political Machiavellianism and integrationist infamous alliances.
Only thing government can do is recognize situation, maintain President in office which he has no right to abandon, but reorganizing Cabinet, eliminating extra constitutional advisors, intervene provinces in which republican form of government not respected, and prosecute Machiavellianism and integrationism.
Government must do these things now. If it does not, process will continue inexorably and President will be solely responsible for destruction constitutional republic.
Comment: It is not known how large a group in and out of military Correo de la Tarde represents. It represents Gorial elements as well as elements affiliated with People’s Radical Party and conservative interest (known locally as oligarchs), all of whom support democracy in principle especially if their candidate wins, but insist on excluding Peronists from benefits in contrast to attitude of such persons as Frondizi, Solano Lima and Alsogaray who, while anti-Peron, seek to reabsorb Peronists into political community.
Intemperate language reveals contempt of government. Defense of Rial, Ossorio Arana et al places paper on side of those who plotted overthrow Frondizi.
Meanwhile, certain elements People’s Democratic Party as well as leaders Christian Democrats, left-wing Socialists, and President’s own party have come out publicly in support constitutional government. Traditional press, in general, has not commented editorially. La Prensa this morning, however, came out in support constitutionality.
Meanwhile, government acting cautiously in case of plotters. This may reflect lack of assurance of general support among military.
Alsogaray, who has commented accurately on political and economic situation in past, has referred publicly to two phenomena among military—first, general intranquility in face of conditions in [Page 582] country and, second, efforts of Golpistas. He says Golpistas do not represent 5 percent of armed forces but intranquility is genuine. He said Golpism practically dead until revived by events which led to resignation of Reimundes.
Alsogaray takes view preoccupations military are genuine and in a sense justified. He supports government program but says government not carrying it out energetically enough and military worried over effect on internal order. He mentioned charges of graft and loss of public support which placed power in hands of unions and armed forces. Alsogaray, like Correo de la Tarde, says government must make fundamental decisions promptly if order to be preserved.
De Pablo Pardo, Foreign Office legal advisor who believed connected with nationalist elements in armed forces, Friday told me he believes Frondizi will have to make more changes in government, including Minister Defense, Secretary Energy, and leadership government banks. He also anticipated pressure of Congress to enact legislation providing for succession presidency in case office vacated.
Some persons expect Alsogaray will be named Minister Economy.