816.00/12–1748: Airgram
The Chargé in El Salvador (Williams) to the Secretary of State
329. Following is status after revolution of December 14 of non-Embassy United States groups in El Salvador.
Agricultural mission, operating Centro Nacional de Agronomía in cooperation with Salvadoran technicians, and public health mission, functioning as Servicio Inter-Americana de Salud Publica, are carrying on normal operations. Public roads Administration engineer also working normally and expects no interference. Army Ground Mission and Air Mission have suspended formal relations with Junta for time being. Air Mission quite pleased with finding many good friends in positions of importance. Chief of Ground Mission faced with interesting situation of having Quintanilla,1 Minister of Defense, and Cordova leader of Junta, two of his former sub-directors in Military School, now in positions of command. A separate report will be submitted on possible difficulties between the Junta and the Ground Mission.
[Page 121]Geodetic Survey Mission is operating as usual. American School is on vacation at present. Professor Walter Bastian, visiting professor on Department grant at National University also on vacation.
- Lt. Col. Fidel R. Quintanilla.↩