818.24/5–1248
The Ambassador in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
No. 231
Subject: United States Arms for Costa Rica
Sir: I have the honor to refer to previous correspondence regarding the unpaid lend-lease account covering military supplies and equipment supplied to the government of Costa Rica.
[Page 527]During the days preceding the Figueres uprising and while there was much talk of a general strike by Ulate supporters, the fact that the Picado government was in possession of arms supplied by the United States government was the subject of much critical comment to me personally and to other members of the Embassy staff. The fact that the true situation was little understood by the critics did nothing to lessen the depth of their feeling that the United States government would be directly responsible for the bloodshed expected to result from a strike. Several prominent oppositionists expressed this point of view to me on more than one occasion. A deputation of ladies called at my office to appeal to me to recapture United States arms in the hands of the government. Several anonymous telephone calls to my residence told me that United States arms were about to be used against patriotic sons of Costa Rica.
Naturally, I avoided argument or discussion of the matter whenever possible. When it was necessary to say anything I contented myself with pointing out that arms of United States origin represented but a small proportion of those in the government arsenals; that they had been supplied several years ago for the purpose of national defense; that I had heard of no protests at that time; that as an inevitable result of a world war in which the United States was allied with many nations there was a good deal of military equipment of United States origin scattered around the world that could conceivably be used for purposes other than those for which it originally had been supplied; and, that in any event there was no feasible way to take back equipment to which title had passed.…
In informal conversation with some of Figueres’ officers at Cartago during the peace negotiations, the jocular remark was made that the rebels already had captured from the government forces most of the famous United States arms in their possession. I replied in the same vein that that would facilitate collection of a little bill I had to present to them after they should have become the recognized successors to the Picado government.
Similar remarks, also in lighter vein, were exchanged with Mr. Figueres when he called on me after becoming the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. No formal approach has been made to the new government, it being my assumption that in due course the Department will address the Costa Rican Ambassador at Washington in the premises.
On May 11, 1948, Colonel Edwin Messinger, Chief of the United States Military Mission to Costa Rica, informed me that Mr. Figueres had mentioned to him his desire to acquire United States arms, and possibly other military equipment, for the new Costa Rican army now being planned, to comprise some six hundred officers and men. I told him that I did not know what the policy of the United States government [Page 528] would be should the question be raised formally, but I felt surer that certain fundamental questions would have to be answered before any discussions could be profitable. I mentioned the outstanding account for previous deliveries; the necessity for adequate assurances that no arms supplied from United States sources be used in military adventures in other American countries; definite and satisfactory plans as to the nature and mission of the new army (i.e. whether it is to include municipal police, constabulary, and customs guards, or be a strictly military force integrated into hemispheric defense plans); and the priority requirements of our own government for its own defense planning. I suggested that he bear these points in mind in any further informal discussions he may have with Costa Rican officials and indicated that the Embassy was not prepared at this time to discuss arms questions.
In anticipation of an approach to me from the Foreign Office, I should appreciate any comments the Department may be inclined to make both on the general policy of military assistance and with specific reference to the case of Costa Rica.
Respectfully yours,