DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: May 22, 1952
SUBJECT: Farewell Call of Venezuelan Ambassador
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Dr. Antonio Martin Araujo, ex-Ambassador of Venezuela Bainbridge C. Davis, OSA
COPIES TO: ARA Embassy, Caracas ARA Board
Dr. Antonio Martin Araujo, who last week submitted his resignation as Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States, called to say goodbye. He stated that he liked the United States, had enjoyed his period of service here and wanted me to know that the only reason for his resignation was his disagreement with the policies of his Government. I told Dr. Araujo that we would miss him and stated that I felt that he had contributed substantially to the good relations between our two countries, mentioning in this connection his travels throughout the United States.
Ambassador Araujo indicated that there are more than 3,000 political prisoners in Venezuela at this time, that a rule of force prevails in his country, that there is dissension within the armed forces, and that the Government has closed the Central University, interrupting the studies of some 5,000 students and has exiled many professors, doctors, lawyers and farmers. Under these conditions Dr. Araujo felt that it would not be right for him to continue as Ambassador. He also referred to recent arrests of army officers, explaining that they were not plotting against the Government but had just tried to tell the Junta that the military should step out of the Government where he alleged they now hold 90 percent of the top jobs.
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I expressed my regret at his resignation and asked whether it was not true that elections were to be held before long. The Ambassador replied that they are to be held but that only the Government party will be allowed to participate and therefore they will not be real elections.
I remarked that Mr. Miller had mentioned Dr. Araujo's plans to visit Europe and expressed my best wishes for a pleasant trip. He indicated that he would spend some months traveling and then return to this country to refresh his training in his professional field of dermatology. He hoped by that time that he could safely return to Venezuela.
ARA:OSA:BCDavis:JKO