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

GT–26. Letter from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Irwin) to the Under Secretary of State (Dillon)¹

Washington, February 20, 1960

Dear Mr. Dillon:

The Department of State authorized the sale of six B–26 aircraft to Guatemala in December 1958.² Although the aircraft (configured as one VIP type, one photo-reconnaissance type, and four light bomber type), have been earmarked for one year, implementation of the 1958 decision has been in a Department of State deferred status due to the tensions in the Caribbean and the Mexican–Guatemalan shrimp boat incident. On 23 December 1959, the Department of State reversed its 1958 decision to authorize the sale of these aircraft to Guatemala.³ Meanwhile, during the past year, the U.S. Air Force has urged reconsideration of the decision to defer implementation of this sale. The Guatemalan Air Force has also continually indicated great interest in obtaining these aircraft.

The Department of Defense is concerned with the apparent determination of the Guatemalan Government to obtain aircraft suitable to their needs and believes that unless the Department of State reconsiders its 23 December 1959 disapproval of the sale of these aircraft, there is a distinct possibility that Guatemala may initiate negotiations for the purchase of comparable (or better) aircraft from European or other sources. Although the United States Government has successfully prevented the sale by England and Italy of jet aircraft to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, it is not unrealistic to consider that efforts by those nations to obtain arms will continue. Guatemala may also be expected to join in the search for arms from Continental sources. Furthermore, as the U.S. Military Assistance Program makes available modern aircraft for our allies, the U.S. cannot always count on diplomatic representation to prevent the sale of surplus aircraft by these countries as well as by non-Western oriented sources.

The six aircraft selected for sale to Guatemala have been demilitarized and could not be armed without extensive modification.

In consideration of the above, it would be appreciated if the Department of State would reconsider its decision of 23 December 1959 to cancel the sale of B-26 aircraft to Guatemala.⁴

Sincerely yours,

John N. Irwin II

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 714.5622/2–2060. Secret.
2. The authorization was contained in a memorandum from the Department of State to the Department of Defense, December 5, 1958; 714.5622/9-258.
3. The document of December 23, 1959, under reference was not found. Notation on a memorandum of conversation by Richard B. Owen of the Office Caribbean and Mexican Affairs on the sale of B-26 aircraft to Guatemala reads as follows: “12/17/59—Subject was discussed at staff meeting this morning. Mr. Rubottom said that approval of sale to Guatemala should be withheld for the time being in view of our efforts to enlist cooperation of Italian Government and other supplier nations in controlling arms traffic to Caribbean. Meanwhile, aircraft should continue to be earmarked for Guatemala in case of possible release at a later date.” (714.5622/12–1659)
4. For the reply to this letter, see Document GT–27, footnote 7 to the memorandum from Rubottom to Merchant, April 4, 1960.