• U.S.

ARGENTINA: The President in Wax

1 minute read
TIME

In the big, grey embassy residence on Washington’s New Hampshire Avenue, Argentina’s Ambassador Oscar Ivanissevich called his staff of 70 together. As part of the ceremonies to mark the end of the old year, he thanked them for their loyalty. Then, as a surprise, the booming voice of President Juan Perón filled the room. The President was saying to all Argentines that no matter how far they might be from home, they were close to his heart.

Perón’s recorded New Year’s greeting also bore a message of peace on earth, patterned on his middle line (between the U.S. and Russia) in world affairs. “We Argentines,” he said, “have rights and obligations not only toward ourselves but also toward other nations. Let us hope that our ideas [of peace], breaking through the confusion and darkness in which the world is struggling, may attain reality.”

In a dozen other chancelleries in Europe and the New World, the same words were heard. Perón had recorded his special greetings on wax and rushed out the discs by special diplomatic couriers. Everywhere, Argentine diplomats dutifully applauded, then happily toasted the New Year in Argentine champagne.

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