Subject: Suggested Reply to Cuban President Prío’s
Letter Concerning Guatemala
Since the overthrow of the dictator Ubico in 1944 relatively small
communist and extreme nationalist groups in Guatemala have exercised
a disproportionate influence in Guatemalan Government policy,
principally because of their success in gaining control in organized
labor.
It has been the Department’s policy to make it clear that while we
support the legitimate aspirations of the Guatemalan people for
democratic growth and economic development, and while we have no
desire to intervene in their internal affairs, we nevertheless are
concerned with the activities and influence of communists in
Guatemala. Recently there have been encouraging developments (the
ratification of the Rio Treaty, the expulsion of a few communists
from one of the Government political parties and from Government
positions). Whether the new President to be elected in November will
be disposed to take more effective steps remains to be seen.
The attached draft of a reply to President Prío’s letter was written
against this background and in the belief that your letter will be
shown to President Arévalo of Guatemala and will be carefully
considered
[Page 919]
by him. It is
believed that it will be acceptable to President Prío of Cuba.
It is suggested that your reply be sent to President Prío through
Ambassador Machado.
[Enclosure]
Draft1
My Dear Mr. President: I have read
with great care and interest your letter, which was delivered to
me personally by your Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Luis
Machado. As the sincere friend of the people of the United
States and of Guatemala, and as a champion of the Inter-American
principles of democracy and solidarity, your interest in the
relations of the United States with the Government of Guatemala
are particularly appreciated. I have been gratified by your
frankness in communicating your views to me and will, as you
have requested, hold this exchange of letters in confidence.
I understand, Mr. President, that the Government of Guatemala
seeks to promote the growth of democratic principles and
institutions, and to foster sound economic development so as to
make possible a higher standard of living and a fuller life for
all Guatemalans. The Government of the United States not only
applauds these objectives but it has been pleased to cooperate
toward their achievement. To this end, it has furnished very
considerable technical and financial assistance in the
construction of the Inter-American Highway and of the Roosevelt
Hospital, and has been actively participating in agricultural
research, experimentation and instruction, and in education,
health, sanitation and other programs.
It is unfortunately true, as your letter suggests, that a small
group of communist individuals, none of whom hold high
Government positions, has succeeded in creating doubt and
confusion abroad concerning the extent of their influence in
Guatemala. By the familiar pattern of fomenting strife and
distortion of fact they have sought to pervent the liberal aims
of the Guatemalan Government in order to serve the ends of
communist imperialism. You will agree, I am sure, that it would
be incongruous not to recognize the danger which this small
group represents not only to Guatemalan sovereignty but to the
freedom of the entire Western Hemisphere, particularly at this
time
[Page 920]
when blood and
treasure are being spent by the United Nations to resist a
brutal communist military aggression.
I share your confidence, however, in the democratic faith of the
Guatemalan people, as well as your hope that Guatemala,
understanding the threat of international communism, will, on
its own initiative and in accordance with its own processes,
take appropriate action to minimize this danger. I have been
particularly encouraged in this hope by Guatemala’s ratification
of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance and by
recent public statements of the distinguished President and
Foreign Minister of that republic.
I thank you for your suggestion that I send a special ambassador
to Guatemala. As you know, the Guatemalan Government recently
requested that my personal representative, the Honorable Richard
C. Patterson, Jr. be recalled on the incorrect assertion that he
had intervened in the internal affairs of that country. Since
Guatemala is now in the midst of a national election campaign, I
would not wish at this time to take any action which could be
represented, however incorrectly, as intervention in the
electoral processes of Guatemala or as an attempt to restrict
the freedom which the Guatemalan people have to decide their own
destiny. I am hopeful, however, that when the election campaign
is concluded it will again be possible to return an ambassador
to this country which shares with the United States traditional
ties of friendship.
With best wishes for your continued good health, I remain
Your Friend,
