ES–20. Telegram from the Ambassador in El Salvador (Kalijarvi) to the Department of State1
148. Saw Foreign Minister at 10:30. He trying muster 14 family support, [text not declassified].2 Liked idea of requesting IAPC investigation. Agreed Lemus should take firm action, but felt that he should at same time indicate readiness reconsider electoral and other recent laws, and change his cabinet to get rid of Sub-secretary Justice (Julio Fausto Fernandez, former secretary Communist party). Needed to get government side to people.
President received me alone 12 noon. Lemus tired but relaxed. Said he had been waiting for me. Agreed government confronted by grave problem. While support indicated from many quarters he had received few telegrams of congratulation but not a single friend had come to say he supporting Lemus. This discouraging. Reminded him presidents stand alone, must take decisions regardless of professions of friendship and support. Placing hand on statue Lincoln I had presented him he commented, “Yes, I think of him often at this time. I realize fully what is involved.” Suggested he might wish consider submitting memo to and requesting investigation by IAPC. Liked idea and said would discuss with Foreign Minister.
Recognized pattern street fighting yesterday importation from abroad. Discussing yesterday’s ceremony said provocation [illegible in the original]. At the end of procession of school children came disorderly procession led by University ex-Chancellors, Perla and [illegible in the original] followed by 500 students and ten groups roughnecks. Subsequently [Facsimile Page 2] determined many of these from neighboring countries. National Guard with fixed bayonets prevented roughnecks breaking into gathered group and confined demonstrations to marching down street singing International and crying support for Castro. Similar group on opposite side park similarly contained. We both agreed a miracle no incident occurred.
Suggested exiling agitators no punishment. Jail sentences would have more deterring effect. President said unfortunately present laws of country do not permit, but military tribunals under state of siege can and will imprison disturbers. He recognized non-democratic nature tribunals but felt no other alternative for controlling situation.
[Typeset Page 606]Expressed appreciation for U.S. support and requested further assistance [text not declassified] also concerning use tear gas and other means controlling mobs. Said he had requested arms, but did not seek U.S. military intervention. Agreed he needed strengthen press section in Casa Presidencial to reach the people.
I said his government stands at crossroads, needs take firm action control situation or face loss power. He still unable appreciate need take action clearly indicated.
Visit seemed to give him lift and at no time did he give impression he would resign.
Reports indicate he not sleeping. May explain apparent weariness. I left today with distinct impression both Foreign Minister and Lemus unable divorce emotions from their thinking. Neither seems have clear sense of diversion in which he would like to go, let alone ability choose word which would make him there.
Have cancelled follow-up visit scheduled for tomorrow per Department’s telephone call3 but believe it essential maintain [Facsimile Page 3] as close contact with both President and Foreign Minister as situation will allow. Large measure psychology involved in situation and know President would appreciate receiving any assistance Department may be in position provide.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 716.00/9–1660. Confidential; Niact.↩
- Reference presumably is to a beating the Rector received at the hands of the police who also arrested him during a raid on the University, September 2, 1960. Documentation on this incident is in decimal file 716.00 and in ARA Special Assistant’s Files, Lot 62 D 24, “El Salvador, 1960.”↩
- The telephone call under reference was not further identified.↩