Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Guatemala

156. Telegram From the CIA Station in Guatemala to Operation PBSUCCESS Headquarters in Florida¹

Guatemala City, May 20, 1954, 1309Z.

605. Re: DIR 01050.²

1. Available sources tending indicate many WSBURNT army officers, though as soldiers glad receive arms, have grave misgivings about recent shipment. Among reasons for misgivings are:

A. Has dramatically demonstrated closeness of govt to Soviet.

B. Fear that present mission will be replaced by hordes of Soviet or satellite instructors who might do anything including displacing even the WSBURNT officers.

C. That shipment is shocking evidence that Soviet and Commies intend completely take over WSBURNT.

D. That ODYOKE cannot tolerate situation and will be forced take drastic action with terrible consequences to WSBURNT.

2. We will try exploit uneasiness by rumor, black propaganda, etc.

3. Indications are many officers would turn against govt if strong dramatic anti govt action starts.

4. [name not declassified] told ESQUIRE night 18 May that SMILAX now approachable. B–2. Sources para 1 and 3 ESPERANCE, ESPERANCE-1, ESPERANCE-3. Eval: B–3.

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79–01025A, Box 11, Folder 2. Secret; Routine; RYBAT; PBSUCCESS; INTEL. Repeated to the Director of Central Intelligence.
2. Not printed. (Ibid., Box 8, Folder 6)