467. Telegram 3724 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State1
3724. Subject: Prime Minister on Jamaican-American Relations.
1. I called on Prime Minister Manley on the morning of September 3 at which time we discussed a variety of matters. I found the Prime Minister’s mood serious and he was reserved at the outset—reflecting the after effects of his recent bout of flu. The only other person present at my request was Gordon Wells, permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office.
2. I used our meeting to describe to the Prime Minister the increasingly deep interest in the Caribbean which I had observed during my recent visits to Washington. I stressed that it is our desire to play a posi [Page 1204] tive role in the areas, but went on to say that our relations with some among our neighbors often make it difficult for us to do so. Nowhere is this more true than in the case of Jamaica.
3. I then said that within the Department of State there is a lively interest in Jamaica and her problems. I described in brief compass our efforts to respond to P.L.–480 request, but adding that Congress wishes such assistance to be directed toward the “poorest of the poor” and that other Departments—such as Treasury—question wisdom of assisting countries where there are unresolved problems. In case of Jamaica, Treasury’s problem lies with bauxite agreements. It not enough for us to assert that final agreements are near; signed documents are required. (Prime Minister interjected that he is anxious to push agreements to conclusion. His remarks are reported in septel.)
4. I then noted difficulties created by accusations that USG is seeking to “destabilize” Jamaica. My chief example was speech delivered by Foreign Minister Dudley Thompson at Colombo on behalf of the Prime Minister (see Kingston 3501). When Manley sought to argue that the remarks regarding destabilization had no specific target, I noted that the references to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Chile belied this, and then asked who he deemed included among the “hostile governments.” At this point, Manley said he did not entirely agree with Thompson’s remarks, whom he described as “posturing in a highly charged atmosphere.”
5. Manley then asserted that he himself has levelled no criticism at the United States in the recent past, and has no intention of so doing. I then asked him if he believed that the State Department had urged destabilization of Jamaica. He replied, “No, I don’t believe anything is being done now. I did once, but not now.” After mentioning his concern that other agencies of the USG might be less amenable to control he said, “That chapter is now closed,” but added that the whole affair had begun with the Secretary’s feeding of various allegations to Scotty Reston of New York Times earlier this year.
6. I expressed my concern that the U.S. “destabilization” of Jamaica and Guayana had become accepted leftist rote by reason of emphasis at NAM and propaganda support in Pravda and by the Cubans, we had not heard the end of it. Manley said that he did not intend to support this line further himself and thought it would die out.
7. Comment: I would like to think that we have indeed opened a new chapter in our relations with Jamaica. However, we have gone through relatively smooth periods before only to encounter yet another rough patch. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister’s comments on the movement toward agreements with the bauxite companies is a good augury. Perhaps he has need of better relations with us as elections approach. Two litmus tests coming up will be his behavior (and that of [Page 1205] other party leaders) at the PNP Annual Conference in mid-September, and the Jamaican delegation’s behavior at the forthcoming UNGA. Will, for example, Guyanese and Jamaicans pursue the destabilization theme in New York?
8. Department please pass as appropriate to other ARA/CAR posts.
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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)
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