Office of the Historian

617.18/11–2654

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Middle American Affairs (Newbegin)

confidential
[Washington,] November 26, 1954.

Subject:

  • Imminence of Invasion of Costa Rica
  • Participants: Ambassador Antonio Facio of Costa Rica
  • AR—Mr. Jamison
  • MID—Mr. Newbegin

In connection with Ambassador Facio’s call on Mr. Sparks this morning when he reviewed the Costa Rican situation and suggested the dispatch of two U.S. destroyers, he called this afternoon at my request. When he arrived it was suggested to him that if the Costa Rican Government believed the evidence in its possession showed an imminent threat of invasion it would be desirable to resort to the procedures of the OAS for inter-American peace rather than to request unilateral U.S. action. The Ambassador made a note to this effect and stated that he would inform his Government of his conversation immediately. He gave the impression of not being particularly pleased with the suggestion and that he would have preferred some direct U.S. action. He made a comment to the effect that he doubted that he would be in Washington very long; he was not the type of person who enjoyed having to go through these various maneuvers but favored more direct action. He emphasized again that his one interest was to avoid bloodshed and to maintain peace among Costa Ricans.

Mr. Jamison stated that Costa Rica had referred problems to the OAS before and he believed with considerable success. The Ambassador agreed but replied that the OAS had taken its action only after some 3,000 people had been killed. This was an apparent confusion of the issue since it was clear that the Ambassador was referring to the revolution of 1948 which preceded OAS action at that time. As regarded a statement by the Ambassador that it took too long for the OAS to take action, Mr. Newbegin stated that there was no need for this; that it was of course a matter for decision by the Costa Rican Government, but if the matter were referred to the OAS this could presumably be done as soon as the Costa Rican Government cared to do so.

Mr. Jamison inquired as to whether the Costa Rican Government had informed the Nicaraguan Government of developments. The Ambassador replied that he believed it had although he could not so state categorically.