Telegram from Ambassador to Mexico on President Tito’s Visit to Mexico

SECRET

No. 1(I)(ii)/63

Date: October 16, 1963

FROM: P.L. Bhandari, Ambassador to Mexico

TO: Shri B. Sanyal, Director (Western Division), Ministry of External Affairs

My dear Director:

President Tito of Yugoslavia left Mexico for the United States this morning after a State visit lasting 13 days. The strictly official part of his programme confined to the first four days of his stay in the capital (the rest of his time was divided between Guadalajara and Acapulco), and this followed the usual VIP pattern. One noteworthy feature of Tito’s visit was the elaborate reception accorded to him and the large crowds which greeted him everywhere – in marked contrast, I understand, to his reception in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. Cynics say that the crowns were “hired” and that Tito’s welcome in no way compared in spontaneity with the reception given to our Prime Minister in 1961 or to President Kennedy last year; such comparisons are odious, and the fact remains that it was a most successful visit and that the enthusiasm with which he was received surprised even Tito himself.

2. President Tito made few public utterances, but he gave a brief news conference in Acapulco, in the course of which he stated that he had no intention of acting as “middle-man” between President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev: He said that Soviet-US problems were something which should be discussed by the two countries concerned. He said that personal contacts between officials of eastern and western countries could do much towards bringing about understanding among peoples and easing world tensions, and he cited President Lopez Mateos’ visit to Yugoslavia and his own tour to Mexico as examples of how two countries, geographically distant and with a different language and different background, could understand each other and work together for the common goal of peace. He lauded Mexico’s proposal, now before the United Nations, to guarantee the principle of non-intervention, and said that Yugoslavia would propose a European Nuclear-Free Zone as President Lopez Mateos had done in Latin America.

In his conversations with the Mexican President, complete agreement was expressed on the following international viewpoints:

1. Perspectives of peace have improved, and the partial nuclear test ban treaty is an indication of a new climate in world affairs;
2. The world’s small nations must cooperate with the major powers in seeking concrete measures of a new climate in world affairs
3. Differences between the political and economic systems of nations are not an obstacle to peace: acceptance of the policy of peaceful co-existence is growing
4. Disputes among nations must be solved through peaceful negotiations and with respect for the independence of each nation and non-intervention in internal affairs; and
5. General disarmament must be fostered as a means of alleviating tensions and freezing funds for economic development.

Joint Communique attached to document

The following is the full text of the joint communiqué signed in Acapulco on Tuesday October 15 by President Adolfo Lopez Mateos of Mexico and President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia.

The President of the Federative Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, accompanied by his wife, made an official visit to Mexico from October 3 to 16, in keeping with the invitation extended by the President of the United Mexican States Adolfo Lopez Mateos during his official visit – accompanied by his wife, to Yugoslavia, March 29 to April 1, 1963.

The President of the United Mexican States and the President of the Federative Social Republic of Yugoslavia thus had a new opportunity to confer and discuss international affairs of special interest to the two countries and examine the changes occurred in the world since their first conference in Belgrade.

The talks were carried out on the same plane of absolute equality and in the spirit of frankness, friendship and understanding which characterized the talks of the two Chief Executives in the capital of Yugoslavia.

Taking part in the conferences were the Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico Manuel Tello and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia Kocha Popovic.

Recalling the joint communiqué subscribed in Belgrade April 1, 1963, the two Presidents reiterated their determined support of the principles and objectives contained in such a statement, which remain fully in force.

On the problem of disarmament they were able to confirm with satisfaction that the objectives contained in the document in question have begun to materialize as a result of the conclusion reached in the city of Moscow by the plenipotentiaries of the United States of America, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in signing a treaty forbidding nuclear testing in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water. This treaty was open to signature by all countries.

After noting that Mexico and Yugoslavia, firm in their desire to contribute to any constructive measure that would bring about general disarmament had, proceeded without delay to sign the Moscow Treaty, the two Chiefs of State expressed the hope that all countries will accept the treaty.

At the same time, the two Presidents agreed that the Moscow Treaty is only one step towards the ultimate goal and that it is necessary that all nuclear powers, with the cooperation of the other countries that form part of the 18-nation committee and, in general, all members of the United Nations to continue untiringly towards the consolidation of the objectives reached thus far and towards ultimate and complete disarmament.

They expressed their satisfaction over the progress achieved thus far in the United Nations towards an agreement that will prohibit placing nuclear weapons in space.

Both Chiefs of State feel that, considering the spirit now prevailing in international relations, conditions are such that many of the causes of friction now existing can be removed and peaceful solutions found to all that could endanger peace.

They reaffirmed their conviction that peace and collaboration between peoples can be based only on a strict respect of independence, self-determination and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.

They agreed also that it would be convenient, to bolster confidence among members of the international community and strengthen peace, if the United Nations would take the necessary measures to adopt a general agreement on non-intervention and determine clearly the principles of International Law relating to friendship and cooperation among countries.

The two Presidents paid special attention to the development of international trade and again expressed the view that every effort should be exerted to make sure that interchange of goods is undertaken under remunerative conditions to all. They stressed the need of guaranteeing to under-developed countries not only the right to receive fair prices for their goods but also more favorable access to international financing sources and to science and technology so as to step up their development programme.

In this vein, the Presidents of Mexico and Yugoslavia expressed confidence that the next conference of the United Nations on trade and development will constitute a decisive step towards the goal.

Both Chiefs of State reiterated the support by their governments in the principles of the United Nations Charter and renewed their decision to continue to do everything possible to strengthen the world organization in the realization of its noble objectives for peace, security and the progress of humanity.

They also agreed to stress the importance of efforts by the United Nations to help subjugated peoples achieve their independence and participate, under terms of absolute equality, in the activities of the international community.

President Lopez Mateos and President Tito, finally, examined the relations that unite Mexico and Yugoslavia and were pleased to confirm that these are characterized by a spirit of friendship and mutual respect. They noted with satisfaction  that interchange between the two countries had increased considerably, especially as a result of the agreements adopted during the visit by President Lopez Mateos to Belgrade. A joint commission, made up by government officials and representatives of Mexican private enterprise on the one hand and representatives and representatives of Yugoslav economic organizations on the other, held their first conference in Mexico and as a result of their discussions, the plenipotentiaries of the two countries signed a protocol amending the commercial treaty of 1950. The purpose of this document was to increase trade and establish the necessary facilities both insofar as the mechanism of payment is concerned as in the extension of credits.

The notable progress achieved moved the Chief Executive to instruct their respective collaborators to promote the exchange between the two countries, both in the commercial field as well as in cultural and scientific activities.

Finally, President Lopez Mateos and President Tito agreed that their exchange of visits underline the cordial relations that exist between the two countries and permit a better understanding of common objectives, opening new fields of cooperation between Mexico and Yugoslavia. This not only will benefit the two nations but also permit them to contribute to the cause of world peace.