Nicaragua
267. Telegram 3900 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy recommended that a proposed sale of M–16 rifles to Nicaragua not be delayed, noting that deferral of the transfer would diminish U.S. influence and weaken bilateral relations. The Embassy added that the Nicaraguan Government appeared to have received the message that the U.S. Government was concerned about human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760317–0881. Confidential. Telegram 3794 from Managua is dated August 12. (Ibid., D760310–1298) Telegram 25114 to Damascus is dated October 8. (Ibid., D760381–0203) Telegram 3798 from Managua is Document 266. In telegram 3342 from Managua, July 13, the Embassy reported that the purchase of the rifles was to standardize the National Guard’s equipment and to counter an arms build-up in Honduras. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760270–0170) In telegrams 189779 and 206945 to Managua, July 31 and August 19, the Department responded that the interests of the United States and Nicaragua would best be served by temporarily deferring the sale, that it preferred to wait until the conclusion of congressional hearings on human rights before proceeding, and that “the delay should not be interpreted as a ‘threat’ or ‘pressure.’” (Both ibid., D760295–0972 and D760319–0587) In telegram 3985 from Managua, August 24, the Embassy concurred in the deferral. (Ibid., D760323–0878)
268. Telegram 4395 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State
Summary: During a visit to Managua, Assistant Secretary Shlaudeman reassured Somoza of the U.S. Government’s policy of maintaining friendly, cooperative relations with Nicaragua. Somoza expressed concern about reports that Department of State officers in Washington and at the Embassy in Managua were hostile to him.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760357–0513. Confidential; Limdis. Telegram 4281 from Managua is dated September 10. (Ibid., D760343–0545) In telegram 242823 to Managua, September 30, the Department stated it had approved the sale of rifles to Nicaragua, adding that the decision was based on a perception that Somoza had responded to U.S. human rights concerns by bringing the National Guard under tighter control. (Ibid., D760370–0373)
269. Telegram 288351 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nicaragua
Summary: The Department stated the U.S. Director on the board of the Inter-American Development Bank had voted to approve a loan to Nicaragua on the understanding that the human rights situation there had improved somewhat, but added that the Nicaraguan Government should be aware that any departure from recent encouraging trends could force the United States to oppose such loans in the future.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760439–0228. Confidential. Drafted by Gowen; cleared by Charles Bray in ARA, and in draft by Weissman, Kenneth Hill in D/HA, and Charles Runyon in L/HR; and approved by Shlaudeman. Telegram 5104 from Managua is dated November 1. (Ibid., D760408–1095) Telegram 4141 from Managua is dated September 1. (Ibid., D760332–0620) Telegram 4395 from Managua is Document 268. Telegram 3798 from Managua is Document 266. In telegram 272372 to Managua, November 5, the Department requested an updated assessment of the human rights situation to determine if support for a proposed IDB loan was in keeping with provisions of the Harkin amendment, which required a negative U.S. vote on assistance to any country engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760412–0957) In telegram 5201 from Managua, November 8, the Embassy reported that there was no evidence of a pattern of gross violations at any time, that the situation appeared to have improved in the preceding months, and that it was receiving no new reports of abuses. (Ibid., D760416–0763) In telegram 131 from Managua, January 10, 1977, the Embassy reported that the substance of telegram 288351 had been communicated to Somoza. (Ibid., D770009–0148)
270. Staff Notes Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Summary: The CIA noted that the terrorist threat in Nicaragua had receded and that Somoza planned to lift the state of siege that had been in effect since December 1974.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, FOIA Electronic Reading Room. Secret. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. In telegram 5858 from Managua, December 22, the Embassy reported that Somoza had made the first public announcement that the end of the state of siege was imminent; he stated at a press conference that the state of siege would be lifted upon the conclusion of an ongoing trial of FSLN members, which was expected to end in January 1977. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760470–0555) Martial law was not lifted until September 1977. (Telegram 4320 from Managua to the Department, September 19, 1977; ibid., D770340–0240)