438. Diplomatic Note From the Jamaican Ambassador (Fletcher) to Secretary of State Rogers1
I have been directed by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honourable Michael Manley, to convey to you the following:
“I have the honour to draw attention to an Associated Press report originating from Washington yesterday which stated, inter alia, that Mr. Vincent de Roulet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica, under oath intimated at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Sub-Committee on Multinational Corporations that in 1972 he had made a deal with me in my then-capacity as Leader of the Opposition to the effect that there would be no United States interference if I agreed not to make nationalisation of the American bauxite and alumina industries in Jamaica an issue in the 1972 General Elections in Jamaica. This report I denied in a public statement issued here at 7.00 p.m. on the 19th July, 1973.
“In the circumstances I am of the opinion that Mr. de Roulet’s usefulness in fostering good relationships between the United States of America and Jamaica has been severely prejudiced by the unfounded allegations which he has made and further intercourse between himself and my government will prove extremely difficult. For these reasons the Government of Jamaica no longer considers Mr. de Roulet persona grata, and I should be obliged if steps could be taken with the least possible delay with a view to the termination of his appointment and to the appointment of a suitable successor.
“I wish to emphasize that this action in no way reflects upon the excellent relations which have always existed between the Government [Page 1120] of Jamaica and the Government of the United States of America and which we are anxious to maintain at the highest level.
“Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Michael Manley”
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Summary: The Jamaican Government declared De Roulet persona non grata after the Ambassador asserted that Manley had agreed in 1972 not to raise the nationalization of the bauxite industry as a campaign issue in exchange for a pledge by De Roulet that the United States would not interfere in the Jamaican elections.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–1973, POL 17 US–JAM. No classification marking. In a July 23 memorandum to Kubisch Burke assessed the likely impact of De Roulet’s recall, concluding that the incident would have “unsettling consequences throughout the English-speaking Caribbean.” (Ibid., ARA/CAR Files, Lot 75D463, POL 17–1, Acceptability and Accreditation, Jamaica 1973) In telegram 2461 from Kingston, July 24, the Embassy reported that Manley had assured an Embassy officer that his request for the termination of De Roulet’s mission was “not an anti-American gesture but an action he regretted very much taking.” (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) The Department agreed to recall De Roulet in a suggested reply to Fletcher’s note that was transmitted to Kissinger under a July 27 memorandum from Eliot. (Ibid., Central Files, 1970–1973, POL 17 US–JAM)
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