CR–20. Telegram from the Ambassador in Costa Rica (Willauer) to the Department of State1
DEPARTMENT PASS SALG PANAMA, DA, FOR ACSI
Re Department telegram 194,2 phone from Stewart.
With exception request signal detachment, Department apparently misunderstood Embassy telegram 1993 paragraphs 2 and 4 thinking I requesting airlift and naval vessel whereas only asked for information re availability aircraft and giving warning possible need naval vessel. As to justification request communications detachment and alert on other matters, President Echandi personally felt dangerous Communist inspired strike imminent. This morning for first time situation appeared easier with agreement fruit company arbitrate thirteenth month4 and statements Figueres press urging moderation by labor. However, view strike possibility depends now more on Communist tactics than intrinsic labor dispute. I still moderately apprehensive. Am dispatching further comments and recommendations re overall problem communications needs these often recurring critical situations Costa Rica.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 718.56/12–1259. Confidential; Priority.↩
- See footnote 3.↩
- In telegram 199, December 10, 1959, Willauer reported on an imminent Communist-instigated strike against the United Fruit Company in the Golfito division. He asked for a signal detachment in civilian disguise with equipment to operate stations at Golfito, Palmar, and San José, and authority to move about the country as needed, and also for information on available standby C-47 aircraft for airlift from Golfito and Palmar. He also suggested “naval vessel stand by for cruise to vicinity Golfo Dulce prepared to enter Golfito if situation warrants.” He asked “that fruit company not be contacted or informed at present time.” (218.1122/12–1059) In telegram 194 to San José, December 11, 1959, the Department of State requested additional justification before it could accede to Willauer’s request for a signal detachment, and denied that the situation in Costa Rica warranted Willauer’s recommendations regarding an evacuation. (617.18/12–959)↩
- Reference is to the question whether the United Fruit Company’s subsidiary, Compañia Bananera, should pay its employees a month’s bonus in accordance with a Costa Rican law. The Costa Rican Government paid the difference between the Company’s offer of one week’s pay and one month’s pay, $600,000, in the strike settlement of January 1960, with the explicit intention of recovering that money through the courts. (Despatch 343 from San José, January 19, 1960; 818.062/1–1960) On October 26, 1960, the Court of Cassatian, a chamber of the Costa Rican Supreme Court, upheld the Company’s position. (Despatch 241 from San José, October 28, 1960; 818.062/10–2860)↩