180. Telegram 1468 From the Embassy in Guatemala to the Department of State1
1468. Subject: Laugerud Victory Statement.
1. On evening of March 12, after Congress had elected him President, General Laugerud made a short televised victory address and gave a press conference. In TV speech Laugerud asked all Guatemalans to heed his call for national harmony and amity. He said that with the campaign ended his opponents, who are friends of 30 years in the army, should work with him in defense of the nation’s best interests. He declared that his government will dedicate itself to achieving well-being for those who do not have it, without taking it from those who do. He made an appeal to the press, as a molder of public opinion, to work with him to leave behind political animosities and bring new harmony to the great Guatemalan family.
2. In press conference Laugerud announced that he had not yet discussed possible cabinet appointments, but that this would be his first order of business as President-elect. Regarding Belize, he said that his policy would be ordained by the constitution, which clearly states that Belize is Guatemalan territory and ought to be reintegrated as part of the national patrimony. He said he will seek restructuring of the CA Common Market, will do whatever possible to bring peace between El Salvador and Honduras, and that he regarded all Central America as one political unit. He said he will continue commercial relations with Communist countries. Laugerud also declared that Guatemala has petroleum which should be exploited and said he will seek reform of the mining and hydrocarbons law to facilitate exploration. He favored Guatemalan exploitation of petroleum but said he will permit foreign capital to participate if Guatemalan resources are not sufficient. He emphasized that foreign capital must respect Guatemalan laws. Laugerud [Page 509] cited Guatemala’s “excellent” relations with Mexico, which he hoped, if possible, to improve on the basis of commercial and economic reciprocity. Finally, Laugerud declared that Guatemalan policy toward Cuba will not change as long as that country does not allow liberty to its citizens, “alternation” of the Presidency, elections, and a free press.
3. Comment: Laugerud’s TV remarks appear well designed to calm the political waters after an exceptionally contentious election battle. His press conference remarks also appear by and large pro forma except for his reference to Belize. The status of Belize never arose as a campaign issue, and Laugerud’s immediate adoption of the GOG’s hard-line public position does not bode well for an early compromise solution of the Belize issue.
-
Summary: During a March 12 victory speech and press conference, Laugerud called for national harmony and indicated that his government’s policy regarding Belize would be guided by the Guatemalan constitution, which identified Belize as Guatemalan territory.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated to Managua, Mexico City, Panama City, San José, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, Belize City, and USCINCSO. In telegram 53697 to Guatemala City, the Department agreed with the Embassy’s assessment that Laugerud’s comments did not bode well for finding a solution to the Belize question. (Ibid.) An undated Bureau Position Paper, drafted after a March 7 meeting on the Belize CASP, noted that “our diplomatic involvement in the dispute should be limited to such discreet steps as will maximize the likelihood of a peaceful settlement and minimize the possibility of violence.” (Ibid., ARA/CEN Files, Lot 76D138, POL 10–3 CASP, B–1974, Pre-IG Mtg 3/7/74)
↩