Office of the Historian

93. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, March 30, 19551

Washington, March 30, 1955

SUBJECT

  • Nicaraguan-Costa Rican Relations

PARTICIPANTS

  • Ambassador Sevilla Sacasa, Nicaragua
  • Dr. Quintana, Counselor of Embassy
  • ARA—Mr. Henry Holland
  • MID—Mr. John L. Ohmans

The Ambassador called at his request and reported that Nicaraguan-Costa Rican relations were proceeding smoothly and that the OAS Commission, recently set up, was working satisfactorily. He referred to a few minor outstanding problems; among them Costa Rica’s desire to obtain the right for LACSA planes to land again at Managua. He felt that problem would be resolved very shortly. The Ambassador did not have much regard for the recent actions of Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Mario Esquivel, who, he felt, was not contributing to friendly relations between the two countries and he also said that Figueres had foolishly made a public statement that he would have nothing to do with the dictator, Somoza.

Mr. Holland displayed surprise and some dismay over that news, and asked the Ambassador whether he could send him a copy of the statements made. The Ambassador said he would.

Another problem in the relations between the two countries involved the person who had taken asylum at the Costa Rican Embassy in Managua, and here again the Ambassador expressed the [Page 199] belief that arrangements would be made soon for the person’s release.

As of possible interest to Mr. Holland, the Ambassador brought in a picture taken in Cuba at the Finca “La Chata” of Cuba’s ex-President, Prio Socarras, showing the Cuban with Romulo Betancourt, Figueres and Arevalo.2 The Ambassador considered that this picture was ample proof of the revolutionary and leftist designs, especially of Costa Rica’s President, Figueres. Ambassador Sevilla mentioned that he had talked with Ambassador Hill and had given him a copy of Arevalo’s book, published recently, entitled “Guatemala, La Democracia y El Imperio”. He and Mr. Holland agreed that Ambassador Hill has a wide knowledge of affairs in Central America on the basis of his experiences in Costa Rica and El Salvador.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 617.18/3–3055. Confidential. Drafted by Ohmans. Initialed by Holland indicating his approval.↩
  2. Juan José Arévalo, President of Guatemala, 1945–1951.↩