817.00/10–647
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Central America and Panama Affairs (Newbegin)
| Participants: | Don Julián R. Cáceres, Honduran Ambassador |
| Mr. Armour, Assistant Secretary | |
| Robert Newbegin, CPA |
Ambassador Cáceres called this morning to discuss the Nicaraguan political situation with Mr. Armour. He said that he was calling at President Carias’ suggestion in order to clarify the Honduran position vis-à-vis the Nicaraguan problem. He stated that Honduras intended to follow the lead of the United States as it had been doing in the past. He mentioned the fact that the non-recognition policy had been adopted more or less simultaneously and after consultation by the American republics and he hoped that when the time came for recognition it would likewise be done more or less simultaneously. He emphasized that non-recognition of Nicaragua carried with it perhaps greater problems for the Central American countries than for others since there was a tendency to assist opposition groups in exile which led to obvious complications. He stressed that Carias himself would much prefer to have more satisfactory relations with Nicaragua than existed at present, but that he felt this was a question of political morals and he had no intention whatsoever of deviating from the stand which he had taken originally.
[Page 876]Mr. Armour asked if Ambassador Cáceres had any idea as to how the problem could be solved. The Ambassador replied that speaking personally he felt that there could be no solution until Somoza left the country. He said that this view was also that of the Chilean Government and certain of the other American republics. Mr. Armour said that he felt that the departure of Somoza would undoubtedly make a solution easier but it should be perfectly clear that this Government was not making his departure a condition for recognition, that what appeared to be necessary was a broadening of the Government in which all parties could participate and a selection of a Director of the Guardia Nacional in whom all parties had confidence. Ambassador Cáceres intimated that it would be helpful if the United States could take the lead in finding a solution, although he appreciated the danger of being accused of intervening. He referred to Mariano Argüello Vargas’ visit to Costa Rica and stated that maybe some solution along the lines suggested by him might eventually be reached. He further stated that he considered part of the present difficulty in Nicaragua due to the fact that Somoza was continuing to remain there …