Telegram from Brazilian Delegation to the OAS, Washington, 9:30 p.m., Wednesday

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

TELEGRAM

RECEIVED

12729

FROM THE DELEGATION OF BRAZIL AT THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES -- WASHINGTON

ON/24/24/X/62

CONFIDENTIAL

DEA/DNU/DAM/DAC/DOr/600.(24h)

961.

Question of Cuba in Council of OAS.

507 – WEDNESDAY – 2130hs – The Council met today, again, in ordinary session, to consider the matter to which was referred in my telegrams 488 and 496. The Council persisted, by decision of the president, to take as the basis of its decisions the press communication of the Informal Meeting [of Foreign Ministers in early October], I made a long declaration protesting against the criteria adopted and whose text was sent by CT [carta telegrama]. Expressing my opinion afterward, about the merit of the motion presented by the American delegation, I said that I was unable to approve it in first place for referring to the “press communication,” a document of which we have not recognized the status as a final act or the basis of deliberation of the Council, and in the second place, for doubts regarding the possibility that the Consultative Commission of Security, still without statutes, can have other functions besides those clearly prescribed in the second Resolution of Punta del Este. At the proposal of Venezuela a modification was made, withdrawing the expression “press communication.” But, even so, I abstained. Accompanying me in abstention [were] Mexico and Chile that supported me fully and still without instructions Uruguay and Ecuador. With this position I wanted also, to demonstrate that our solidarity is not rhetorical [irretorquivel] in that it is substantive, fundamental, but we guard our full freedom of action [except that?] which we consider adjective [adjetivo] and operational.

ILMAR PENNA MARINHO