STATEMENTS OF ARGENTINE SENATOR ALBERTO DURAND TO PRESIDENT GONZALEZ VIDELA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002200190007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 1999
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: November 24, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

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2 50(lApproved For Rele~~s~V 1 KAL9/fl i EL.Lt P.i,?, 7R0022 REPORT NO. _
INFORMA~I~~t
COUNTRY Chile/Argentina
T CD NO.
q p D~~ 25X1A2g"^'E DISTR. 5 man 1949
SUBJECT statements of Argentine Senator Alberto
to President Gonzalez Videla
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NO. OF PAGES 2
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President Gonzalez Videla of Chile and Argentine Senator Alberto Durand
had luncheon together an 2l November 19118, at which time Durand again
presented Perones assurances that the Argentine participation
25X1A2g in the Chilean revolutionary plot (of.
2. Durand stressed the-'4 all rumors and reports implicating Peron in the plot
were lies of the Argentine Conservatives and Communists, who are united in
opposition to Per.)n. Durand said that Peron is a man of peace, dedicated
to the welfare o ;' the Argentine people, who literally adore their president.
Durand, admitted that a dictatorship exists in Argentina, but he claimed
that this was 'cased an precepts of social justice which are for the benefit
of the great'mass of the people.
3. The Senator stated that Peron is a good friend of President Truman's, who
has merely copied Peron9a program of social justice. Durand averred that
Argentim would fight alongside the United States in case of a war with
the Sova.et Union.
tt. in an'iwer to the President's questions concerning the `.rgentine rearmament
prof'-,am., Durand insisted that the only reason that his country has purchased
morn arms than any other South American country is that the United States
go'r:?ernment would not lend-lease equipeeent to Argentina as it had done to
facing a dollar shortage, but he considered that this was unimportant, since,
not having signed the Bretton Woods Agreement, his country is able to operate
freely in the world market. Durand pointed to the barter.agreements exist-
ing, between Argentina and Venezuela, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rania,
Yuiotlavia, Italy. and SnAin. Re stressed to Gonzalez Videla the mutual
other countries. Argentina had, therefore, to purchase its arms in order
is have an efficient army, navy, and air force. The rearmament program was
;'signed for self-defenses Durand illustrated his point by stating that
'Paraguay at one time had planned to seize possession of one of the northern
provinces of Argentina.
It was explained to the President at this luncheon that no inflation exists
in Argentina, that the cost of living has not increased, and that Argentine
currency is fully backed by gold reserves. He admitted that Argentina is
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benefits to be elrtaine8 by A~al Ur w e nt .beta Ar At Chile.
He explained that recent Ttrbenc res c ors on e e a ion of
cattle to Chile rcre necessary because ofa cattle shortage in Argentina.
7-urand went on tr stress that ''resident Pee in ardently believes in and
stronbly supports. inter-i.:aeri{pan unity and cooperation,
G~ ".'ith respect to the proposed charge of clip Prbentine Constitution, Durand-
told the Chilean President that. this ' oul.1 ho approved during the coning;
year. Ile claimed that one of the chaneeE would be that of prohibiting the
election of con,,ressmen belonbin to. political parties directed from abroad.
The Co'-munist Party would not be declarec` illegal but certai:i measures
would be ' akcn to prevent fomi6;n penetrc.tion in i.roentine.
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Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002200190007-4