Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume V, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics

CR–19. Memorandum from the Director of the Office of Central American and Panamanian Affairs (Stewart) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Mallory)¹

Washington, December 11, 1959

SUBJECT

• COSTA RICA: Request for Radio-Equipped Jeeps

Ambassador Willauer has relayed to the Department an urgent request by President Echandi for United States assistance in the acquisition of 15 new radio-equipped jeeps. This equipment is urgently needed by Costa Rica, primarily to implement its capability of policing its border to prevent incursions into Nicaragua by revolutionary groups emanating from Costa Rica.

In our telegram 179 of December 4, 1959,² we requested Ambassador Willauer to urge the GOCR to make every possible effort to prevent such revolutionary movements. In Ambassador Willauer’s reply he states that President Echandi has done everything possible and cannot do more without additional physical aid, which the Ambassador suggests the United States might provide. President Echandi wishes to purchase the jeeps on credit but wishes to have immediate delivery by air because of the very urgent need.

In my opinion we should give consideration to the possibility of providing these jeeps and radios on a grant aid basis, and I offer the following reasons as justification.

1. In the past six months the Costa Rican Guardia Civil has been engaged in intensive police actions, such as the Punta Llorona affair, the costs of which have far exceeded its appropriated funds, which are extremely limited even to cover normal operations.

2. The Figueres dominated majority opposition in the Legislative Assembly actively supports the Nicaraguan revolutionary movement and it would be expected to oppose the appropriation of additional funds to expend on controlling such revolutionary groups.

3. Echandi, in the face of widespread sympathy and of active support of such revolutionary activity, has acted resolutely and effectively to the limit of the capabilities available to him to control these revolutionary groups.

4. By making such equipment available the United States will be giving effective aid in promoting peace in the Caribbean area, and specifically, the maintenance of peaceful relations between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

It has been determined that funds sufficient to cover the cost of this equipment are available in ICA Special Assistance funds which could possibly be used for this purpose.

Recommendation:

That we immediately request ICA to provide the necessary funds for the purchase of 15 radio-equipped jeeps to be furnished the Government of Costa Rica for the purpose of augmenting its capability of dealing with a situation within its own borders which threatens to disturb the peace of the area.³

Approved_________⁴

Disapproved______

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 718.56/12–1159. Confidential. Drafted by Godfrey. The following handwritten note to Godfrey by Stewart appears on the source text: “Let’s get cracking on this.”
2. Not printed. (617.18/12–459)
3. Fifteen radio-equipped jeeps were given to the Government of Costa in December 1959.
4. Recommendation is initialed as “Approved.”