Jamaica, The Bahamas, and the Eastern Caribbean
458. Telegram 5073 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reviewed the political situation in Jamaica for Assistant Secretary Rogers in advance of a visit to the island by Secretary of State Kissinger.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750447–0498. Confidential; Niact Immediate. In telegram 303010 to Kingston, December 24, the Department provided press guidance relating to reports on Kissinger’s vacation in Jamaica, noting the Secretary would be there from December 26 through January 3 or 4. (Ibid., D750447–0709) A memorandum of conversation transcribes a January 3 meeting during which Kissinger and Manley discussed law-of-the-sea issues, bauxite negotiations, and the situation in the Middle East and Angola. (Ibid., P820117–0507)
459. Telegram 253 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: Gerard reported on the apparent acceleration of an anti-American campaign in Jamaica and noted that Manley appeared to have made a definite turn to the Left.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 4, Jamaica—State Department Telegrams, To Secstate—Exdis. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. In telegram 97 from Kingston, January 7, the Embassy reported on an anti-American demonstration during which protesters had thrown rocks at the U.S. consulate. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760005–0814) In telegram 96 from Kingston, January 7, the Embassy reported on political violence in the Jamaican capital that had broken out on January 6, just prior to the protest at the Consulate. (Ibid., D760005–0848) In telegram 305554/Tosec 250103 to Kissinger, then in Jamaica, December 31, 1975, the Department reported that Mayer Matalon had contacted Eagleburger and Rogers in an apparent effort to revive discussions on the possibility of arranging U.S. assistance to Jamaica in exchange for friendlier Jamaican policies. (Ibid., D750451–0956)
460. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Sisco)
Summary: Rogers requested renewed authorization for the conclusion of an agreement with The Bahamas on access to military facilities there, and he described the terms of the offer that the United States was prepared to make to the Bahamian Government.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P830032–0668. Confidential. Drafted by Heavner on January 19; cleared by Rovine and in draft by Michel, Nelson, Masson, May, and Hintze. Sisco initialed his approval to all three recommendations on February 7. A copy was sent to Crowley in EUR/NE. The attachments at Tabs 1 and 2 are published as Documents 440 and 455. Tabs 3 and 4 are attached but not published. In telegram 427 from Nassau, March 12, the Embassy reported that Adderley intended to renew talks after an upcoming trip to the United Nations. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760094–0529) In telegram 1740 from Nassau, November 5, Weiss reported that the Bahamian Government was not approaching the negotiations with a sense of urgency. (Ibid., D760413–0688) NSDM 221, dated June 5, 1973, is published as Document 433.
461. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Summary: This assessment reviewed the situation in Jamaica, concluding that Manley was increasingly influenced by pressures for a drastic overhaul of the country’s political and economic systems.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, [text not declassified] Files, Job 85T00353R, Box 1, Folder 26. Confidential. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified.
462. Memorandum for the Record
Summary: Officials from the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs and the Central Intelligence Agency discussed which actions, if any, the United States should take with respect to the situation in Jamaica.
Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, ARA–CIA Weekly Meetings, 1975–1976. Secret; Sensitive. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The James Reston article entitled “Castro and the Caribbean” appeared in the New York Times on March 17, 1976, p. 41.
463. Telegram 866 From the Embassy in Barbados to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on charges by Barrow that the United States was engaged in an effort to destabilize his government and those of other Caribbean countries.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760180–0615. Confidential. Repeated to Georgetown, Kingston, Nassau, and Port of Spain. In telegrams 835 and 845 from Bridgetown, May 6 and 7, the Embassy reported on Barrow’s allegations that the United States was seeking to destabilize the Governments of Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados, and suggested that Barrow’s comments were an effort to revive the faltering popularity of his political party. (Both ibid., D760175–0360 and D760177–0354) In telegram 1826 from Kingston, May 6, the Embassy reported on a conversation with Manley on charges by Jamaican officials that the United States was involved in destabilization efforts there. (Ibid., D760176–0268)
464. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Thompson discussed allegations that U.S. funds were supporting disruptive elements in Jamaica as part of a campaign of destabilization.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820118–1658. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Low and approved by Collums on July 14. The meeting was held in the Secretary’s Suite at the Hotel Carrera. Kissinger and Thompson were in Santiago to attend a meeting of the OAS General Assembly. In telegram Secto 16094 from Mexico, June 11, Kissinger informed Gerard of his “extremely frank review of destabilization problem” with Thompson. (Ford Library, Gerald R. Ford Papers, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry Kissinger, 1974–1976, Kissinger Trip File, Box 26, June 6–13, 1976—Latin America, Secto) Jack Anderson’s article, “Terrorist ‘Fish’ in a Sea of Tourists,” is printed in the Washington Post, May 16, 1976, p. 35. The Wall Street Journal article is not further indentified.
465. Interagency Intelligence Memorandum
Summary: This assessment concluded that Manley’s outlook and methods of governing had shifted steadily to the left since he assumed office in 1972 and that a second Manley administration would most likely be more radical than the first.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, National Intelligence Council Files, Job 91R00884R, Box 10, Folder 11. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. All brackets are in the original except those indicating footnotes in the original document or text omitted by the editors. In a July 12 report on destabilization charges in Jamaica, INR concluded that Manley’s campaign was “part of an election tactic using the U.S. as a scapegoat for Jamaica’s problems.” (National Security Council, Ford Intelligence Files, Subject Files A–L, Box 11, Jamaica, 20 Jul 1976–17 Aug 1976)
466. Memorandum From Samuel M. Hoskinson of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Hyland)
Summary: This memorandum commented on the possibilities for covert action in Jamaica and the Caribbean in response to worrisome developments in the region.
Source: National Security Council, Ford Intelligence Files, Subject Files A–L, Jamaica 20 July 1976–17 August 1976. Top Secret; Outside the System. Sent for information. Hyland wrote, “I agree,” next to statements asserting that aid to Jamaica was unlikely to buy much good will and that rising Cuban influence in the Caribbean was worrisome. Hyland wrote, “OK,” next to the suggestion that he ask the CIA about the status of a paper on possible covert action in the region; the paper is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P860055–1161. Also published is the attached August 5 memorandum from Wells to Hyland. Secret. The July 19 memorandum referred to in the attachment is published in part as Document 465.
467. Telegram 3724 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: Gerard reported on a September 3 meeting with Manley in which the Prime Minister stated that he no longer believed that the United States was attempting to destabilize Jamaica.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760337–0410. Confidential; Priority; Exdis; Stadis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. In telegram 3501 from Kingston, August 20, the Embassy reported that Thompson had renewed destabilization accusations against the United States in a speech at a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. (Ibid., D760320–0361) In telegram 3919 from Kingston, September 15, the Embassy reported on a September 9 meeting with Thompson which indicated that he was still convinced that the United States was seeking to destabilize Jamaica. (Ibid., D760348–0497)
468. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Shlaudeman) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Habib)
Summary: Shlaudeman stated his opposition to a proposal for covert action in the Caribbean to counter rising Cuban influence. He recommended increased aid to the region and the development of a corps of knowledgeable Caribbeanists within the Department of State.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P860055–1177. Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted by Luers on September 20. Habib saw the document on October 4. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Attached as Tab 1, but not published, is a memorandum to the Operations Advisory Group proposing a program to counter Cuban influence in the Caribbean.
469. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft endorsed Kissinger’s recommendation that Ford reconsider his decision not to authorize a small aid program for Jamaica, noting that U.S. assistance would help to undercut the destabilization charges being leveled against the United States.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, NSC Latin American Staff Files, 1974–1977, Country Files, Box 4, Jamaica—Economic, Development, Social 1. Confidential. Sent for action. The memorandum is not initialed, and no approval or disapproval of the memorandum’s recommendation is indicated. None of the attachments have been found. In telegram 3373 from Kingston, August 12, the Embassy observed that if the aid program were not approved, “we can be certain that the situation will be turned against us” and that the decision would be cited by some as evidence of a destabilization campaign. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760311–0268) A September 27 memorandum from Davis to Borg transmitted Ford’s approval of the request to authorize the aid program. (Ibid., P760182–0976)
470. Telegram 4183 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: After reviewing recent indications that the Jamaican Government was using destabilization charges as a political tool, the Embassy recommended steps that would demonstrate U.S. dissatisfaction.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760366–0235. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram 3742 from Kingston, September 7, the Embassy reported that former CIA employee Philip Agee planned to make four public appearances in Jamaica between September 10 and 14. (Ibid., D760338–0251) In telegrams 3965, 4042, and 4104 from Kingston, September 16, 21, and 24, the Embassy reviewed the background of the destabilization charges, assessed the evidence that the Jamaican Government had foreknowledge of Agee’s visit, and assessed the political and policy implications of the visit. (All ibid., D760350–0090, D760356–0655, and D760361–0457) In an October 1 memorandum sent to Kissinger through Habib, Shlaudeman presented possible reactions to Jamaican facilitation of Agee’s destabilization charges, recommending that Gerard be recalled for consultations; no decision was recorded on the memorandum. (Ibid., P840125–0129)
471. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Shlaudeman) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Noting the increasingly problematic nature of relations with Jamaica and with the Caribbean more generally, Shlaudeman reviewed several policy options and recommended the United States take a more supportive political and economic posture toward the region.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P860055–1143. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Luers and Heavner. A note on the memorandum reads: “No action taken. No longer relevant for this Administration.” A portion of Tab 1, Schlaudeman’s September 20 memorandum to Habib, is published as Document 468. The remainder of Tab 1, a covert action proposal with Shlaudeman’s comments on it, is attached but not published. The text of Tab 2, a proposal to develop a Caribbean career specialty within the Department of State, not published, is contained within Document 468. In telegram Secto 34014 from the Secretary in Acapulco, December 29, Kissinger responded that the proposal on the Caribbean was “no longer relevant for this administration,” adding that the memorandum would be returned to ARA without action. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760474–0771)
472. Telegram 2393 From the Embassy in Barbados to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that the party of Grenadian Prime Minister Gairy was likely to lose forthcoming elections to an opposition coalition led by the New Jewel Movement, which it characterized as a radical, pro-Cuban organization.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760451–1082. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Caracas, Georgetown, Kingston, Nassau, and Port of Spain. In telegram 2416 from Bridgetown, December 8, the Embassy reported that the December 7 elections in Grenada had been peaceful and that Gairy’s party had apparently won a majority in the Grenadian legislature. (Ibid., D760453–1137)
473. Telegram 5459 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: Commenting on Manley’s general election victory, the Embassy predicted that the Prime Minister would continue to be critical of the United States and recommended the maintenance of “a correct, low-profile, working relationship.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760464–1201. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bridgetown, Georgetown, Nassau, and Port of Spain. In telegram 4914 from Kingston, November 10, the Embassy tentatively predicated that the opposition Jamaican Labor Party would be likely to win the election if voting were held immediately. (Ibid., D760419–0258)