Brazil Terminates Military Agreements with the United States
1977
Brazilian foreign minister Antônio Azeredo da Silveira handed the American ambassador a note ending four military arrangements in September 1977; the press was to be told an hour later. In March, the Geisel government had already denounced its 1952 military assistance agreement with the United States. [1] [3]
The dispute concerned the conditions attached to cooperation. President Jimmy Carter’s administration had made human rights a central part of foreign policy, while Brazil’s military government rejected American scrutiny of its domestic record as an intrusion on national sovereignty. Brazil declined military financing rather than submit to the associated reporting requirements. [1] [2]
By March 1978, Brazil was keeping students out of U.S. military courses, bilateral cooperation had largely ceased, and Brazil was seeking more equipment from European suppliers. It remained a party to the Rio Treaty. [2]
In March 1978, American officials recommended acknowledging Brazil's decision and exploring mutually acceptable defense arrangements when an opportunity arose. [2]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- Brazil terminates military arrangements — FRUS
Embassy telegram: Silveira’s note and four arrangements; March 11 termination of 1952 agreement
- The state of military relations with Brazil — FRUS
Tarnoff memorandum: training, purchases, suppliers, and Rio Treaty membership
- Ernesto Geisel — FRUS 1977–1980, volume XXIV, persons
Geisel, Ernesto: President of Brazil until 1979
- Embassy of Brazil: official ambassadors, mission dates and acting-service footnote
- Memorandum of Conversation: Vance and Pinheiro
Related Reading
Cite This Article
Brazil Terminates Military Agreements with the United States. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 5a949ddff21385d1b241. https://chanceries.org/research/history/military-1977-4c980a44b9/