PE–9. Telegram from the Ambassador in Peru (Achilles) to the Department of State1
1000. Department please advise Secretary.
VP schedule disrupted today because of demonstration at San Marcos University. Information yesterday indicated students San Marcos would close university, not permit VP to enter and demonstrate against him. VP decided this morning proceed visit San Marcos but meeting political leaders had to be rescheduled for afternoon. VP party stopped as it entered street in front San Marcos by hostile student crowd led by Communists. Nevertheless VP tried carry out scheduled visit. Embassy officer observed university gates promptly locked, VP asked students whether they were cowards and afraid to hear him talk. Shouting students carrying signs reading “Fuera Nixon”, etc., made impossible VP proceed. Stores and other missiles thrown, one of which grazed VP. Police intervened and enabled VP party depart, VP then made unscheduled visit Catholic University where met by friendly students, and had highly successful meeting in which he was vigorously cheered and applauded. Student leader said his visit not official schedule and regretted therefore they could not welcome him officially but they welcomed VP as private citizen. VP said he came that capacity, “I went to San Marcos to see if there was liberty and freedom of speech and I found there was not. I [Typeset Page 1037] have come to Catholic University and found that there is such freedom.” During meeting Communist demonstrators from San Marcos set up rival loudspeaker but students severed wires.
In meantime, Communist agitators led group from San Marcos to Plaza San Martin where they marched around Plaza changing “no se vende Peru.” Police kept crowd from hotel and it gathered around statue San Martin. Crowd took floral [Facsimile Page 2] offering VP had placed hour earlier and tore off U.S. flag done in flowers as well as part of center depicting U.S. leaving only Peruvian flag and SA. Police made no effort prevent desecration U.S. flag. Wreath was replaced by government at 7:30 p.m. under police protection.
VP party returned hotel from Catholic university 11:30 a.m. and crowd upon seeing his car broke from statue and surged toward hotel. Traffic prevented VP car proceeding to hotel and he descended and walked remaining 200–300 yards. Crowd shook fists, spit and threw leaflets and some fruit, while shouting and waving placards. Police conducted VP hotel and demonstration continued another 15 minutes when assault guard finally moved in swinging clubs and crowd scattered. Possibly 50–75 students represented nucleus demonstration with maybe 400–500 more curious onlookers. Police chased leaders all way back to San Marcos.
Remainder VP schedule rearranged because these events. At press conference VP said he was advised not go San Marcos but decided he should because important not allow minority element deny freedom expression in great university. Stated principal concern safety innocent students and had cautioned police against pushing students. Said he was touched by Peruvian expression regret including Foreign Minister, VP, etc., and desire of Rector San Marcos apologize. Said no official protest made and none necessary. Had not had contact as yet with President. Said it was not personal affront but demonstrators were spitting on Peru, on ideals of San Martin and millions who have fought for liberty. Regretted effect on San Marcos because no university great that cannot assure freedom of expression. Said the day will live in infamy in history San Marcos. Demonstrators he said [illegible in the original] not physical but intellectual cowardice because they are afraid of truth. They thought they had won victory [illegible in the original] suffered defeat because they had shown [illegible in the original] they [illegible in the original]. Peru now knows what would [illegible in the original] most [illegible in the original].
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.1100-NI/5–858. Official Use Only; Niact.↩