Pedro Eduardo Real

Pedro Eduardo Real trained as a lawyer at the University of Buenos Aires and built much of his career in finance. He joined the Central Bank in 1935, rose through its management, and became vice-president in 1963. From 1967 to 1969 he headed the bank under Juan Carlos Onganía. He also represented Argentina at international financial institutions before becoming ambassador in Washington in 1970. ¹

Real used personal contacts among the diplomatic corps to open discussions with the Nixon administration. In November 1970 he hosted Henry Kissinger with the Brazilian and Uruguayan ambassadors, whom an American briefing described as his close friends. Concerns before the meeting included Chile under Salvador Allende, the American role in the hemisphere, and protectionism affecting Latin American exports. Real also protested at remarks he thought implied that Argentina might become Communist. ²

After his embassy service, Real remained active in business and cultural institutions. He chaired the National Endowment for the Arts during the military dictatorship in 1980 and belonged to the Argentine Council for International Relations and the Academia del Plata. He died in 2006. ¹