Telegram from Brazilian Delegation at the 17th Session of the UN General Assembly (Afonso Arinos), New York

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

TELEGRAM

RECEIVED

12 022

FROM THE DELEGATION OF BRAZIL AT THE XVII SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS—NEW YORK

ON/7/8/X/62

SECRET

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

Meeting of Chancellors. Interview with the Polish Chancellor.

46—SUNDAY – 21hs15 – Minister Geraldo de Carvalho Silos and I had today, by invitation, an interview with the Polish Chancellor [Adam] Rapacki, who was accompanied by Ambassadors [Josef] Winiewicz and Beustajn. The intention of the Polish minister was to hear the Brazilian delegation in respect to the informal meeting in Washington. I gave him an account that, not without touching on certain details of importance, did not go beyond which could be found published in the news sections and [augerido] in the editorials of the North American press. The Polish government seems seriously preoccupied with the consequences of what Rapacki called the “economic blockade” of Cuba, giving the impression that they fear Soviet retaliation which could prejudice their own commercial interests and the relative political flexibility which Poland enjoys in the context of the socialist countries. Rapacki told us expressly that the closure of maritime routes to normal commerce might be followed by similar measures as for land routes in other regions. He gave credit to our thought that he reported watching carefully over the measures of isolating commerce of the Iron Curtain countries, including many of the nations of Eastern Europe. I tried to give him the impression that the current severity against Cuba may diminish after the American elections or with the progress of negotiations in other fields, including in the disarmament but he did not seem to me at all convinced. He told us that after the conversation that he had with Fidel Castro and other leaders, in his recent visit to Havana, he stressed the impression that the Cubans are in a phase of intense internal discussions to choose its own direction within the socialist orbit…they are very [ciosos] of the intellectual independence and withdrawal of everything that appears with a rigid external orientation even unsolicited advice. He gave the impression that Cuba could evolve in any case into a type of the Yugoslav regime. We are surprised with this declaration, but it was [foi feita nos têrmos em que] with us like I have indicated. To end the conversation I made the gestures solicited in your telegram, secret, no 18, the Chancellor responded that he will inform his government about the fact and afterwards will give an answer whether here or in Rio de Janeiro.

EXTERIORES