Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973–1976

377. Telegram 2040 From the Embassy in Guyana to the Department of State¹

Georgetown, December 4, 1975, 1905Z.

2040. For Assistant Secy Rogers from Ambassador. Subject: Suggestions for Bettering Relations. Ref: State 282526.

1. On positive side, given current state of play in bilateral relations with Guyana resulting from series of painful votes in 30th UNGA, it would be inappropriate to suggest that USG do anything in favor of Guyana. As I stated at least twice during com sessions, it is essential to my credibility here, and to USG credibility not only here but generally, that Guyana become thoroughly aware that USG has taken concrete action to reflect negative impact on USG–GOG relations of Guyana’s voting record. We await Department’s determinations, having submitted our recommendations (Georgetown 1828 with dissent in 1829).

2. On negative side (things we should not do) I believe we should be temperate in applying sanctions to Guyana, in order to leave room for accommodation by both parties. I believe FonMin Wills is honestly trying to find a rationale to convince his colleagues that Guyana’s interests would be better served by standing apart from non-aligned on occasion. If we react too strongly now, we could cut ground from under his endeavor (and probably make it difficult even to maintain present dialogue). This posture is, I believe, reflected in what we recommended in our 1828.

3. As I have reported from time to time, PM Burnham attaches great importance to GOG membership in IDB. Should circumstances change to point we were to want to do something favorable to Guyana, cutting red tape on Guyana’s admission to IDB would top our list of recommendations.

4. Overall, however, I cannot honestly say there are any truly quote burning issues unquote in our relations with Guyana.

Krebs

1. Summary: Krebs recommended that the United States Government be temperate in applying sanctions on Guyana, while making it clear that the country’s voting record in the United Nations had hurt bilateral relations.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750422–0933. Secret; Exdis. In telegram 282526 to all American Republic diplomatic posts, December 1, the Department requested specific suggestions on how it could better relations with the nations of the hemisphere. (Ibid., D750416–0746) Telegram 1828 from Georgetown is Document 376. Telegram 1829 from Georgetown was not found. In telegram 289060 to Georgetown, December 8, the Department informed the Embassy that the Secretary had decided to react to the Guyanese Government’s position on Korea at the UN by continuing to delay the signing of an AID public service training loan. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750426–0720) In telegram 2104 from Georgetown, December 13, Krebs sought further guidance on how best to inform the Guyanese Government of the decision to continue withholding the AID loan, recommending that Guyanese officials also be told that “Washington is re-evaluating degree of community of interests essential to any program or project of assistance, given recent GOG pattern of consistently opposing ‘gut’ USG interests.” (Ibid., D750435–0449)