Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

495. Telegram 896 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State¹ ²

Managua, May 31, 1970, 1913Z

Subj:

• Cuban Exiles Proposed Meeting With President Somoza

Reference:

• State 83319

1. Substance reftel discussed at length with President Somoza this morning. He said he recognizes and sympathizes with problems USG has vis-a-vis Alpha 66 operations, representation of U.S. interests in Cuba and refugee airlift. At same time he said he was most reluctant to cancel out homenaje which Artime and other former brigade members have been preparing for him during his June 8 airport stopover in Miami. He cited his long friendship with U.S. as evidence he quote would not want to cause a rumpus while visiting a friend’s home unquote, but emphasized he had committed himself to meeting with quote friends from the brigade unquote before having mentioned matter to me last Thursday. He said he had merely intended to inform USG of his projected meeting as a guest’s courtesy to his host, and found it difficult indeed now to cancel the arrangements he had already entered into with Artime.

2. Having dwelt on the foregoing at some length, he nevertheless then telephoned Artime in Miami in my presence, telling him that in view of Alpha 66 developments and for good of exiles themselves/and so as not to give Castro a windfall propaganda benefit, the homenaje should be cancelled. He told Artime, however, that he would be glad to meet privately and without publicity with quote six or eight or ten of his friends from the brigade unquote during the airport stopover.

3. Following the telephone conversation with Artime, Somoza asked me to inform Department of these revised arrangements to meet with quote up to twelve unquote brigade representatives. He asked the Department’s understanding of his situation in having to cancel homenaje and specifically asked that Department coordinate with Artime re arrangements for this quote private session with friends from the brigade. Unquote.

4. Comment: Under the circumstances, and given his longtime close relations with the exiles, I think that Somoza has moved as far as he is willing to do to accommodate to our views. I conclude, therefore, it would be counterproductive for us to try to push him any further on this particular issue.

Barnebey

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 790, Country Files, Latin America, Nicaragua, Vol. I (1969–1974). For Hurwitch. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. A stamped notation indicates that it was received in the White House Situation Room at 8:38 a.m. on June 1. In telegram 83335 to Managua, May 31, Hurwitch responded that the Department of State was “unable to accede to Somoza’s request for our help in arranging even a private meeting with a few exiles.” (Ibid.)
2. Embassy Chargé Barnebey relayed the Department of State’s concerns about President Somoza’s planned visit with Cuban exiles in Miami. Somoza responded by acknowledging the Department of State’s concerns and then telephoned the Cuban exile group to cancel the publicized event, suggesting that he might instead meet with a small group of exiles in private. Somoza requested that the Department of State arrange the alternative meeting.