Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The American Republics, Volume IV

363/6–554: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Diplomatic Offices in the American Republics ¹

official use only
priority

Washington, June 5, 1954—8:18 p.m.

459. Verbatim text. Following draft resolution for your info and for use following receipt special instructions:²

June 4, 1954.

Final.

Whereas

The nations of America have long recognized a historic mission to create on this Continent a society in which man shall enjoy a greater degree of political liberty, economic well being, and social and cultural advancement, than has heretofore been achieved in the world.

The American republics, recognizing that the need for progress toward that high objective is still great, are determined to press forward toward more perfect political and social institutions guaranteeing to their citizens an increasing measure of personal freedom and happiness.

The measure of freedom already achieved by the peoples of this Continent should be continually improved and not impaired by extra-continental intervention.

The objectives of the International Communist movement, as demonstrated by the coercion and repression instituted in nations and areas subjected to its domination, are directly contrary to the aforementioned purposes of the American nations.

The American republics recognize that the ultimate goal of International Communism is the domination of the whole world by the unlawful processes of violence, subversion and conspiracy.

There is increasing evidence that the International Communist movement is attempting with special vigor at this time to establish a center of strength in the Americas from which to extend its influence throughout the Continent.

The danger inherent in the establishment of such a center of the International Communist movement in this Continent is to be measured not by the dimensions of the state which might fall victim to such an attempt but by the vast power and resources available to the world Communist organization.

On a number of occasions the American States have enunciated their determination to discover, condemn and eliminate from this Hemisphere every attempt by the International Communist movement to effect a penetration of the political institutions of any American State and to intervene in American affairs.

From the moment in which the American republics gained their independence, their statesmen and their peoples have proclaimed the necessity for eternal vigilance to maintain that independence in the face of any form of imperialistic intervention or encroachment from outside the Continent.

The Organization of American States is the appropriate collective instrument through which the nations of this Continent can coordinate their will and arrive at collective decisions, in accordance with existing treaties, to protect their independence, their sovereignty and their way of life.

The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance in Article 6 states that the Organ of Consultation shall meet in case of any fact or situation affecting the integrity of the territory or the sovereignty or political independence of an American State that might endanger the peace of America.

The Tenth Inter-American Conference recognized the present danger posed in this Hemisphere by the International Communist Movement, expressing the determination of the Amerícan States to take necessary measures against the intervention of International Communism and calling for consultation and the adoption of appropriate action in the event of the domination or control of an American State by the International Communist movement.

And Considering:

That a large, clandestine shipment of arms and munitions of war, despatched from European territory dominated by the International Communist movement, reached Guatemalan territory on board the S.S. Alfhem on May 15, 1954; and

That the quantity of arms so delivered has substantially increased the pre-existing preponderant military power of Guatemala in the Central American area; and

That evidence has been presented from various authoritative sources regarding the penetration of the political institutions of the Republic of Guatemala by the International Communist movement.

The Fifth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, as Organ of Consultation,

Finds:

That the International Communist organization has achieved extensive penetration of the political institutions of the Republic of Guatemala; a penetration so extensive as to create the danger that the Guatemalan state, like others which have been subjected by International Communism, will be deprived of its independence and become subordinated to the International Communist conspiracy to achieve world domination through violence and subversion.

That in this context the recent covert movement to Guatemala of arms and munitions of war from European territory dominated by the International Communist movement has created a threat to the sovereignty and political independence of other American States, endangering the peace of America; and

That so long as the penetration by International Communism of the Guatemalan political institutions remains unchanged and the preponderance of Guatemalan military force in the area persists, any further substantial movement to Guatemala of arms or munitions of war would seriously increase the danger to the peace of America;

Recommends:

That so long as the danger above referred to subsists the American republics undertake as preventive measures the detention and inspection of vessels, aircraft and other means of conveyance moving to and from the Republic of Guatemala, in order to insure against the further introduction of arms and implements of war into that country, as well as travel by agents of International Communism between that country and territory dominated by the International Communist movement.

That a commission comprised of representatives of (name 5 countries) shall assist the Member States in the application and coordination of the preventative measures specified above and shall recommend to the American Governments through the Council of the OAS the termination of such measures when the commission finds that the circumstances justifying them no longer exist.

That the American Governments continue an exchange of views and information regarding the presently existing danger and means of maintaining the peace and security of the Continent; and

Calls upon:

Guatemala, as a sister republic in the American family, to eliminate agents and collaborators of the International Communist movement, resuming her rightful place among the nations dedicated to the defense of the American hemisphere against all forms of foreign intervention.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Ambassador Dreier; signed by Assistant Secretary Holland. Repeated for information to USUN in New York.
2. In circular telegram 458, sent to the Embassies in Buenos Aires, Bogotá, San José, Habana, Ciudad Trujillo, San Salvador, Port-au-Prince, Tegucigalpa, Mexico City, Panama, Lima, and Managua, and repeated for information to USUN in New York, dated June 5, 1954, the Department instructed diplomatic representatives to transmit as soon as possible to the appropriate authority that portion of the text of the draft resolution beginning “and considering” and to determine whether the host government would support the specific text. “If so,” continued the instruction, “summarize verbally whereas clauses as being U.S. idea of type which might be desirable and suggest Govt’s ambassador here be authorized participate drafting definitive text this portion of resolution.” (363/6–554)