740.14112A/89: Telegram

The Ambassador in Guatemala (Long) to the Secretary of State

359. In amplification No. airgram 286, June 1064 yesterday when Mr. Bonsal65 and I visited the President he thought it impossible to nationalize Proclaimed List fincas without amending the constitution and this was an inopportune moment to attempt such a change in view of recent political disturbances in Central America.66

Last night the Foreign Minister stressed the shock his country had received upon learning of our desire in this connection, yet he thought something might be done if we insisted. This morning he reviewed Guatemala’s entire program of collaboration, deplored our position taken with respect to nationalization, but said that if we demanded immediate action in the case of certain fincas the Guatemalan Government would reluctantly go through with it although considering such a demand as an unwarranted expression of lack of confidence.

Mr. Bonsal will be in Washington in a few days and I suggest the Department’s final decision in this matter be postponed pending discussion with him on his return.

Long
  1. Not printed.
  2. Philip Bonsal, Deputy Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs, was in Guatemala only briefly during an extended visit to Central and South America.
  3. For correspondence concerning political unrest in Nicaragua, see pp. 1391 ff.