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

ES–10. Memorandum of Conversation by the Ambassador in El Salvador (Kalijarvi)¹

San Salvador, November 20, 1959

PARTICIPANTS

• Lt. Col. José Maria Lemus, President of the Republic of El Salvador
• Thorsten V. Kalijarvi, American Ambassador

President Lemus asked me to remain after the presentation of the parchment² saying he had a problem he wished to discuss with me.

He stated that he needed U.S. assistance. He had already requested a Military Assistance Program. Now, instead of making a specific suggestion, he wished to request such aid as could be given. The growing instability of the area, especially communist agitation and possibilities of attacks by El Salvador’s neighbors left El Salvador vulnerable. He referred to the despatch of a shipload of arms to an unknown destination from Mexico, to the invasions attempt from the sea, and to the constant disturbance of the whole area. Some time ago El Salvador had purchased a number of airplanes from the United States and then had bought additional planes to rehabilitate those already purchased. Some planes were lost on the way down and others had deteriorated in service. He referred to the five planes which are to be sent to Costa Rica for repair and rehabilitation. He contrasted these with the jets now contemplated for purchase by Cuba. He referred to some 50 pilots capable of flying the planes, but no planes to fly. He noted the lack of funds of the Government of El Salvador for the purchase of necessary military equipment in order to maintain itself in a strong defense position against possible attack. While his illustrations were drawn from the air force, he was general in his discussion, including the need for ships for coast guard purposes, for control against smuggling, and for guarding the coast against possible attack. He added that the problem confronting his government was grave and the need for U.S. assistance, while not immediately urgent, certainly was in need of prompt consideration. There was a strong implication that he was asking for military equipment financed by the U.S. Government as well as for assistance in organizing the military forces of this country.

He voiced a desire to keep the budget in the black, maintaining the social and welfare projects that have been undertaken, and at the same time to embark upon a program of defense emphasizing new equipment, ships for protection of the coast, and assistance in strengthening the air force.

I replied that I understood his problem and that I was sure everyone would be sympathetic with his expressed needs. I would advise my government of our conversation and of the meeting which he had proposed for next week as a follow-up, with a request for instructions as to how to proceed.³

- - - - - - - -

Departmental comments requested. Unless instructed to the contrary, plan to pursue discussions with the President. If possible, hope to place matter on broader basis with the aim of reviewing measures apart from military assistance that could be undertaken to strengthen security along the lines of Embassy Despatches No. 165, October 8 and No. 206, November 9.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 716.5-MSP/11–2059. Confidential. This memorandum was an enclosure to despatch 224 from San Salvador, November 20, 1959, not printed.
2. The parchment under reference was not identified.
3. This matter apparently remained in abeyance until June 7, 1960. [text not declassified]