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

NI–19. Telegram from the Ambassador in Nicaragua (Whelan) to the Department of State¹

Managua, October 20, 1959, 11 a.m.

121. PASS CINCARIB IN RESPONSE CC 66897E²

Department circular telegram 149³

Overall U.S. objectives Nicaragua in country team’s view describable following terms:

(A) Encouraged development stable political systems along democratic representative anti-Communist lines without damage to all important principle nonintervention. Progress in attainment this objective believed indispensable for maintenance attitudes this country friendly to U.S. and for retention Nicaraguan Government’s and people’s support U.S. world policies.

(B) Encourage development strong, self-reliant economy based free enterprise system in ultimate U.S. interest.

(C) Complementary to (A) and (B) above and looking to facilitation those aims, strengthening of U.S. ties by demonstrating friendly, helpful interest in peoples welfare through advances in education, health, sanitation and in field of labor, which will result in more efficient use human resources.

(D) Foster U.S. concepts of responsibility for hemispheric defense of and internal security.

(E) Maintain before Nicaraguan people accurate reflection of what U.S. is and stands for as means explaining our policies and obtaining better understanding their aims. Similarly, diffusion of cultural activities intended to gain wider acceptance U.S. ideals in educational, intellectual and artistic matters.

No single program among those now existing or contemplated 1961 in Nicaragua is dedicated to achievement overall political objective stated in (A) above. Analysis all proposed U.S. programs, however, as well as observation past U.S. activities reflect important continuing contributions from all program sources without exception toward accomplishment this aim. To cite only few examples for purposes illustration this conclusion borne out by following factors:

(1) Administration of assistance as well as counsel and training accorded by MAAG and military missions to national guard consistently reflect institutional, representative, apolitical character of ideal military establishment thus contributing to fulfillment of essential role in achievement objective (A) in important military segment. This program of course primarily seeks objective (D) and modest FY 1961 plan estimated to provide adequately for fair gains in both principal and contributory roles.

(2) Capital loans, present and in prospect for FY 1961 are deemed essential for accomplishment objectives (B) and (C) and important in pursuing objective (A). Export Import Bank and IBRD credits for agricultural diversification and hydroelectric projects for instance should assist towards both political and economic stabilization through development of new or improved sources production with consequent appreciation of U.S. interests in solution of country’s problems.
In same connection technical cooperation programs in agriculture, transportation, health, education and housing are each in their respective fields cooperating toward achievement objective (A) (B) (C) and (E) with FY 1961 program seen as no exception. UN, UNICEF and MASB programs in equivalent projects are viewed as useful in light Nicaragua’s needs and as generally contributing to fulfillment final U.S. objectives through improvement social standards.

(3) Information, cultural and educational exchange programs for FY 1961 regarded as logical continuation present efforts achieve objective (E) and greatly contributory to progress in attaining all other objectives. This especially exemplified by enthusiastic response to teacher and student grants, workshop projects and consistently pro-U.S. press.

To date there has been no indication of ineffective coordination among MSP elements or between MSP and other programs and FY 1961 programs show no such conflicts.

Whelan

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 717.5-MSP/10–2059. Confidential.
2. No copy of this military telegram was found in Department of State files.
3. Circular telegram 149 to all chief of mission, August 19, solicited the Embassies’ view on the U.S. role and objectives in Mutual Security Programs and non-U.S. programs for fiscal year 1961. (120.171/8–1959)