INTERVIEW WITH DR. RAMON CEREIJO, ARGENTINE MINISTER OF FINANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R008300520003-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: August 15, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

? Ap r v;d For-Release 2001/03/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R008300
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GLASSIFIGAIION
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- CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Argentina
CONFID TT 1.'
SUBJECT Interview with Dr. Ramon 0wriii jo., Argentine
Minister of Finance
PLACE
ACQUIRED
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REPORT NO.
CD NO.
DATE DISTR.
15 August 1951
NO. OF PAGES 2
0. OF ENCLS.
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DATE OF ' ~SUPO'LEMENT TO
INFO.
DO NOT CIRCULATE REPORT NO.
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1. Dearing July 1951 Dr. Re a Cereijo, Argentine Nini tsr of Finances
in a lengthy., unofficial, and "off the record" conversation with a
friend, expressed the views presented in the paragraphs below. During
this conversation Dr. Cereijo exhibited an optimistic and confident
attitude,, which seemed to indicate that he still retains the good will of
President Peron and his wife. Cereijo stated in a blunt manner that he
has every reason to believe he will continue in his present position
for another six years.
2. U11hen asked if it is true that Argentina has secret agreements or treaties
with other Latin American countries., Dr. Cereijo replied that this is not
so. He said that if one examines the treaties and international agree=
meats in effect today,, especially tnose treaties which govern the foreign
policies of the participating countries and to some extent their internal
policies, one can note that a considerable proportion of the agreements
are the result of o:en international conferences and not the result of
secret negotiations between any two countries, and added that even the
bilateral treaties of commerce and navigation, or of arbitration, are
usually parts of a s eries of identical treaties negotiated with ally
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interested nations. He further declared that diplomatxe repre:~sn
of Argentina seldom endeavor to negotiate secret agreements because the
world has progressed beyond that stage of international political
relations.
When asked for his opinion concerning North American-Argentine relations,
Dr.. Cereijo stated that it is his belief that those relations will
improve in the future, but that the improvement depends more upon the
United States than upon Argentina This vi ? cis- uot- elaborat . on by
Dr. Cerei~. H e continued by saying that relations between the United
States and Argentina are of the utmost importance to the rest of Latin
America because relations between any two countries, whether friendly or
othendse, are a matter of concern, to the remaining countries. The
various Interests of those countries,, such as political., economic, and
military matters, are so closely interwoven that a disturbance in relations
between any two countries now inevitably reacts upon the interests and
relations of other countries. He is of the opinion that relations between.,
the United States and Argentina will improve following the next Argentine
presidential 'election.
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4 , When questioned concerning his opinion as -to a favorable oute a ms of United
StaterArgentine commercial relations,, Dr, Cereijo stated that "an agreement
will be reached if the United States of America wished to avoid war with
Soviet Russia and if President Peron requires heavy machinery and dollars".
He admitted that Argentina is now in dire need of dollars. According to
Cereijo, Argentina"intends to ntinue building up her heavy industry during
the next six,yearse Concerning cattle and agricultural piano, Dr, Cereijo
stated that the Argentine Government is dissatisfied with the progress made thus
far and that landoamers are not collaborating, nor are the "peone", as he
described the farm workers.
With reference to Dr. Cereijeaa opinion concerning Argentine eiea relations,
he stated that, although this is out of his depart is he believes relations
between the two countries will continue along the already established cold.,
impersonal lines. Ht peraonahy does not trust Russia and stated that President
Peron shares his views on this subject. He added that, although Itissia is still
a backward country and filled with suspicion, it owes Its present strength to
the flexibility of the Como ist system; that now that Russia is a power in inrld
relations Argentina'?cannot afford to ignore herd He continued that ftussiae with
her at background of Oriental culture cost fined with the energy and initiative
of the Russian people, has come through an era in which the centralisation of
authority is an outstanding factor,
In answer to a question as to whether he believed Argentina is faced with a
financial crisis, Dry Cerei jo stated he does not think sop He did state that
a small.'crisis might occur in the near future and he has so reported this to the
Cabinet. Nevertheless, he stated the Argentine Government is prepared for any
financial emergency,
When asked to confirm or deny the report that the Mot= de Control del Estado'
(Office of State Control-DOGE), the Banco Central (Central Bank), and. t"i a.; nis
.tries of ftnanaee and Economy currently are being investigated by governmient
authorities,' Dro Cerei.Jo stated the report is true but would not elaborate an
this point.
So When asked it he believes that President Peron will actually run for President
in the coming elections, he .replied that not only will Peron run for Presidents
but that his wife will run for Vice-Presidseento He advised' that the Sub-Secretariat
has just recently ordered more propaganda for that purpose, When asked for his-
opinion concerning ,Peren "' a 'chalices of winning the elections, he replied, "Well,,
wa u ree in power"'.
9, When asked if he believes World War III will start in the near future, Dr, Cereijo
stated that the Cabinet is of that belief. He gave the Impression that he is
pessimistic concerning the possibility of avoiding another World Wara Drs Cerei3o
repeated the well-known Argentine declaration that no Argentine troops will be
sent to Korea,
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