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

502. Telegram 722 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State¹ ²

Managua, March 30, 1971, 2310Z

Subject:

• Somoza-Aguero Agreement

Ref:

• Managua 708

1. In March 28 ceremony at Managua’s Ruben Dario Theater, President Somoza and Conservative Party (PCT) President Aguero formally signed agreement on presidential succession and other constitutional questions. Crowd of 1500 included officials from both parties, General Staff of National Guard, representatives of clergy, and chiefs of diplomatic missions. Event was broadcast on all radio and TV stations. We pouching full text of agreement to department.

2. Following reading of pact by Liberal Party (PLN) SecGen Cornelio Hueck, Aguero gave well-received speech stressing value of accord as base for progress. He said that pact was designed to close “a long era of discontent and violence” and to initiate a process of structural change in the country’s economy and political life. He made special mention of the discontent among the youth, blaming this on the present generation’s failure to meet its historic duty. After making several statements clearly rejecting any communist solution for Nicaragua, Aguero said Latin Americans had to find answer to their social and economic ills in themselves. He made two references to struggle of “Third World”. Aguero also discussed role of National Guard expressing confidence that Guard, which was formed as a political institution, would be guarantee of popular will in democratization process begun by pact.

3. Somoza, who was obviously trying carefully not upstage Aguero, gave short statesmanlike speech explaining pact as “sound and just interpretation of demands and anxieties” of the Nicaraguan people. He continued, “we have not given up the right to our parties’ ideals, we have not abandoned our own philosophy, but we do intend to proscribe the pain of violence and war between brothers.”

4. Atmosphere at ceremony was most friendly and cordial. March 29 government-controlled Novedades devotes entire front page to signing of act and carried text of Somoza and Aguero speeches. As expected, opposition La Prensa continues to flail pact on daily basis. No incidents or public demonstrations at pact signing although security precautions very much in evidence.

Shelton

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 12 NIC. Confidential. In Airgram A–40 from Managua, April 11, the Embassy forwarded a copy of the agreement between Somoza and Agüero and translated copies of the speeches they gave at the signing ceremony. (Ibid., POL 15–1 NIC)
2. The Embassy reported that President Somoza and Conservative Party President Agüero signed an agreement on presidential succession, which would ostensibly initiate a process of structural change in the country’s economy and political life.