611.14/9–950
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State ( Webb ) to the President 1
Subject: Proposal for the Appointment of a Special Ambassador to Guatemala.
Ambassador Machado of Cuba has requested an appointment with you in order to deliver a letter from President Prío.2
President Prío’s letter will suggest that a special representative be sent to Guatemala City on a mission to appraise the current Guatemalan political scene and to re-establish good relations between Guatemala and the United States. This suggestion is the result of a very secret and brief visit3 which President Prío recently made to Guatemala City where he conferred in his airplane with President Arévalo.
I recommend that you receive Ambassador Machado in order not to offend President Prío, who doubtless is acting in good faith.
The following background information may be helpful in deciding whether you wish to accept President Prío’s suggestion:
Traditionally we have had good relations with Guatemala where the great majority of the people are anti-communist. President Arévalo himself is an extreme leftist rather than a communist. He has, however, collaborated openly with communist elements in Guatemala who, with the acquiescence if not the active support of the Government, have succeeded in gaining complete control of organized labor and in placing their partisans in Government positions. Because Guatemala is now in the midst of an election campaign and the Government needs the votes of labor, a relatively small group of communists exercise a disproportionate influence on Government policy. They have, for example, been able to use the Government press and radio for communist-type attacks on the United States; they have prevented ratification of the Rio Treaty; they have influenced the Government to support the so-called “Caribbean Legion” which [Page 913] recently launched an abortive military attack on the Dominican Republic; they have caused the Government to adopt a hostile and nationalistic attitude towards American capital in the country; and they have influenced the Government to expel Ambassador Patterson on trumped-up charges that he was the agent of United States imperialism seeking to overthrow the Government.
Our policy has been to refrain from using sanctions in order not to give a common anti-United States cause to communist and non-communist elements alike. On the contrary, we have stressed that the local communists are a relatively small group which represents a real danger to Guatemala and we have urged the Government to live up to its responsibilities as a part of the free world. The recent public statements of high Guatemalan officials expressing opposition to communism, the expulsion of prominent communists from one of the Government political parties, and a contingent offer of military bases and manpower are examples of recent progress. It is hoped—though it is by no means certain—that effective anti-communist measures will be taken after the elections in November.
In view of these circumstances, if a special Ambassador were sent to Guatemala with instructions to insist that anti-communist measures be taken at once, we would probably be accused—particularly in view of the current election campaign there—of intervening in Guatemala’s internal affairs. This might strengthen the position of extreme nationalists and communists.
On the other hand, the Guatemalan Government would welcome our sending a new Ambassador to make it appear that no serious problems exist between our two countries. In fact, the Guatemalans have already requested that this be done. However, if this were done before the Guatemalans have taken effective anti-communist action, we might be faced with the following:
- 1.
- By appearing to approve present Guatemalan policies, we would lessen our chances of obtaining effective action against the communists.
- 2.
- It might be misinterpreted as a repudiation of Ambassador Patterson, who is still our Ambassador to Guatemala. It has been our thought that a new Ambassador should not be sent to Guatemala until Ambassador Patterson has been assigned to another post.
- 3.
- It might be misunderstood in the United States as appeasement of communist elements in Guatemala.
It is accordingly recommended that in replying to President Prío’s letter you express your appreciation for his friendly interest in United States-Guatemalan relations as well as your regret that it is not feasible at this time to appoint a special representative to the Guatemalan Government. If you wish, the Department will prepare a draft reply for your approval.
- This memorandum as sent to the President was accompanied by a brief covering memorandum (not printed) which summarized its content.↩
- Carlos Prío Socorras, President of Cuba.↩
- In despatch No. 195 from Guatemala City, August 23, Mr. Wells had reported in part that President Prió had apparently arrived by plane in Guatemala at 10 a. m., August 12, and departed that same afternoon. (737.11/8–2350)↩