414.608/5–2054: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices in the American Republics 1
416. Inform Foreign Minister orally we take extremely serious view of (1) reliable information on arrival in Guatemala on May 15 of important shipment armament transported from behind Iron Curtain and (2) paralysis of northern Honduras by sudden wave strikes which since May 3 have closed down ports, transportation, public services and essential economic activities in expanding area and which erupted in absence of an existing labor conflict and without gesture to seek demands through negotiation.
Point out in your discretion that sudden and significant reinforcement of Guatemalan military power by Communist-supplied armament at this moment is especially disturbing in view its evident effect [Page 1118] strengthening international communist link with Guatemalan regime and since current unrest in Honduras does not appear to be entirely a domestic matter. We are impressed with coincidence that strikes have occurred in an area where three Guatemalan consuls, two of whom were only recently assigned there, have been declared personae non gratae by the Government of Honduras. Information reaching Department for many months has suggested infiltration of Guatemalan Communists into Honduras, and there are reports of Communist designs to provoke sympathy strikes in neighboring countries directed against stability their governments.
In close consultation with Honduran Government we are following situation in that country carefully. Department also studying problem posed by arms shipment to Guatemala from Iron Curtain in context Communist aims in this hemisphere and means available to Communists to accomplish them.
If queried re press reports of suggestion possible OAS action concerning this situation you should confine your reply to statement of genuine and serious nature our concern and our view that problem should be carefully reviewed by each government in light such inter-American commitments as may be involved.
Emphasize especially present concern US is regard extra continental (Communist) character of problems posed by events and conditions described which raises doubt independent character Guatemala Government actions.
- Drafted by Deputy Director of the Office of Regional American Affairs Jamison and Mr. Fisher; cleared by Assistant Secretary Holland, Ambassador Dreier, and Director of the Office of South American Affairs Atwood. Sent for action to the Embassies at Asunción, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Ciudad Trujillo, Habana, La Paz, Lima, Managua, Mexico, Montevideo, Panama, Port-au-Prince, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, San José, Santiago, and San Salvador; repeated for information to Guatemala City and Tegucigalpa.↩