WESTERN HEMISPHERE DEFENSE5


   Our relations with Latin America are in many respects closer than
 those of other areas not only geographically but because we have
 been working on them longer. The framework of cooperation based
 on the Rio and Bogot6a4 Treaties and the Organization of American
 States is fundamentally sound. Our principal instruments of eco-
 nomic and cultural cooperation with Latin America constitute gen-
 orally an adequate basis for carrying out -the greater part of the co-
 operative programs which are needed. Our principal problem is not,
 therefore, one of devising new instruments of cooperation but of
 expanding and administering more vigorously the programs which
 we have been operating for several years in this area. More than
 anything we need to pull together our various programs on a country
 by country basis into a coordinated positive and appealing whole.
   The response of Latin America to the Korean crisis has been satis-
 factory in so far as concerns moral solidarity but distinctly dis-
 appointing as regards positive military and economic cooperation.
 There has been more lip service than accomplishment in regard to
 UN commitments. The most obvious reason for this is the fact that
 the conflict is remote to the average individual Latin American, but
 at least equally important-certainly in determining the action of
 governments-has been the apathy and sullenness resulting from nthe
 feeling that the United States has abandoned Latin America in the
 post-war era and is giving priority to new friends in other parts of
 the world.
 As much as one may feel that friendships should not be measured
 by gifts and loans and as much as one may inveigh against the lack
 of responsibility on the part of Latin America in fulfilling its com-
 mitments, we must face the facts of the present situation.and of the
 increasingly deteriorating situation which will result upon the-an-
 nouncement of additional aid programs in other areas. ARA /has
 steadfastly pursued the Department of State line that the ERP is
 an emergency program; that what .is done in one, area is not neces-
 sarily suitable for another area; and that U.S. economic assistance, is
 subordinate to self-help measures. We have also gone as far if not
 farther than we should in urging the Export-Import Bank andtthe
 International Bank to take a more -positive approach to lending op-
 erations in Latin America and especially to take more initiative in
 helping the Latin Americans to get up projects. However, it has not
 been possible to make much progress in the face of the feelingof dis-
 satisfaction on the part of the Latin Americans referred to above.

 For text of the Charter of the Organization ýof American States,
which entered
into force for the United States ion December 15, 1951, see TIAS No. 2361
in
United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST), vol.,2 (pt.
2),
p. 2394.


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