63. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in Guatemala1
275. For Ambassador from Rubottom. Department still seriously concerned over political vacuum existing between extreme right and extreme left in Guatemala. It is apparent that most thinking Guatemalans, including Army, recognize necessity of filling this vacuum with best possible candidate who can solidify center political groups and bulk of Army in upcoming elections. If these moderate sectors can agree on a candidate, there may be good chance of pulling substantial vote from right and from moderates of left to help achieve victory for staunch anti-Communist who will still have [Page 149] popular appeal and will undertake program to help all classes of Guatemalans.2
While U.S. must, of course, avoid any kind of intervention in Guatemalan internal affairs, believe you and Embassy can play important constructive role at this vital juncture. Leaders of various central political groups, Army Officers, business leaders, newspaper directors and writers, education administrators, and even key leaders in church hierarchy have, it is noted, customarily sought out Ambassador and Embassy staff members to discuss Guatemalan political problems. You should take advantage of these opportunities in future discussions to impress upon them the serious problem which is now posed for Guatemala by return of certain key extreme leftist and communist leaders who threaten to reinstall a vulnerable ostensibly Liberal Government which will then proceed through same insidious cycle as turned country over to communists during Arevalo-Arbenz period. Explanation of these conditions should make crystal clear to Guatemalan leaders from all above sectors urgent necessity their independently deciding rally around a suitable candidate acceptable to all. This is responsibility of Guatemalan people to themselves and to their country and unless quickly assumed their country faces threat of utter ruin.
You need not hesitate make clear as you already have to Flores Avendaño that continuation of economic aid to Guatemala depends on emergence of solidly anti-communist government from elections. US public and US Congress simply would not tolerate supporting a government tainted with communism.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 714.00/11–2657. Secret.↩
- Notes of the Secretary’s Staff meeting, November 29, indicate that Rubottom reported on the Guatemalan situation as follows: “Following Mr. Rubottom’s comment that the Honduran Government appeared to be somewhat more stable, the Secretary inquired whether there was anything new regarding Guatemala. Mr. Rubottom responded in the negative and reported that it was anticipated that the government party would win in some forthcoming regional elections. He said there was no coalescing as yet around a PR candidate for the January elections and that this hindered our ability to move effectively at this time.” (Ibid., Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75)↩