NI–13. Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)1
Washington, April 4,
1959
SUBJECT
- NICARAGUA: Visit of General Somoza
PARTICIPANTS
- ARA-Mr. Rubottom
- General Anastasio Somoza – Director of the Nicaraguan National Guard
In addition to the points made in the memorandum of conversation of March 30,2 in my discussions with General Somoza I also talked to him along the following lines in a private conversation following the luncheon at the Nicaraguan Embassy:
- 1.
- The United States felt that Nicaragua simply had to keep itself absolutely clean in its dealings with its neighbors in Central America and elsewhere or it can encounter serious complications in the OAS and in public opinion throughout the Americas.
- 2.
- It would be desirable for Nicaragua to desist in its efforts to purchase arms in the United States, since we did not want to call undue attention to this subject at this particular time.
- 3.
- It is unfortunate that the thing of which the Somoza brothers are the most proud, their name, is a serious political liability; they should recognize that public opinion throughout the Americas simply is unable to accept the fact that Nicaragua is being governed with a moderate hand and that the people have civil liberties.
The General seemed to accept all this in a friendly way and he even acknowledged the veracity of the points made.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 717.00/4–459. Confidential.↩
- See Document NI–12.↩