Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XII, American Republics

123. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to All Posts in the American Republics¹

Washington, December 11, 1961, 7:41 p.m.

1104. Colombian FonMin while in Washington recently (Depcirtel 1079)² stated Colombian Embassies would be instructed take up soonest with respective governments substance Colombian draft resolutions, copies of which he said had been handed to Foreign Ministries in all countries with which Colombia has diplomatic relations. (Mentioned possibility special mission to Guatemala.) Requested our support Colombian-USUN [New York] efforts achieve maximum possible agreement these drafts.

USG has proposed certain changes Colombian projects, circulated in English (CW-4207)³ and summarized Depcirtel 952.⁴ Furthermore events since drafts prepared, particularly Castro December 1 identification himself and regime as Marxist-Leninist, strongly suggest drafts require strengthening or change in certain respects as outlined second paragraph Depcirtel 1079.⁵ Specific suggestions this effect being made to Colombians.

Request you approach FonOff soonest, coordinating your approach with Colombian colleague where appropriate, and report our firm support for essentials Colombian proposals, as well as our feeling that in certain respects they now require strengthening. If question raised, you should make it clear that we do not in present circumstance plan raise question application specific Art 8 measures (i.e. sanctions). Request you inquire as to acceptability Colombian drafts to FonOff and elicit any suggestions they propose to make for amendment. Make clear we not necessarily seeking definitive views but interested at least in preliminary reaction as means initiating consultations on Colombian drafts.

Ball

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 371.05/12-1161. Confidential. Drafted by Jamison; cleared by Whiteman, Bracken, Hemba, Lane, and Crimmins; and approved by Woodward. Repeated to USUN, POLADCINCARIB, and POLAD SACLANT.
2. Circular telegram 1079, December 7, summarized a meeting between Woodward and Colombian Foreign Minister Caicedo Castilla. (Ibid., 371.04/12-761)
3. Not found.
4. Circular telegram 952, November 16. (Department of State, Central Files, 371.05/11-1661)
5. Woodward told Caicedo that in the U.S. view Castro’s speech made it advisable to consider. “(1) ways make more specific exact nature Castro-communist danger; (2) advisability changing ‘invitation’ to Cuba to break Sino-Soviet ties to firmer call or demand; and (3) definition specific steps which would be required for Cuba demonstrate conclusively compliance with that call.” He also suggested that the MFM might authorize the OAS Council to observe and report on Cuban compliance with the above-mentioned call and to recommend possible action in case of compliance or non-compliance.