THE AMERICAS: Bienvenido

The trim Fokker Friendship turboprop that touched down at Washington's National Airport last week was not as big as Nikita Khrushchev's big TU-114, but the welcome accorded its distinguished passenger was every bit as impressive—and considerably more cordial. As Mexico's President Adolfo López Mateos stepped out, a thundering 21-gun salute split the air; the U.S. Army Band rolled through Mexico's national anthem; a 231-man honor guard snapped to attention. On the red carpet stood Dwight Eisenhower, all smiles. "Bienvenido," said Ike, giving his guest a warm Latin-style embrace.

In response, the chief of a nation that the U.S. considers a fully...

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