Foreign Relations of the United States 1977–1980; Volume XV; Central America, 1977–1980

142. Telegram From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State¹

Managua, November 17, 1978, 0130Z

5920. For Deputy Secretary Christopher and Assistant Secretary Vaky from Bowdler. Subject: Nicaragua Mediation No. 135: Meeting with Congressmen Murphy and Wilson.

1. Congressmen John Murphy and Charles Wilson called on me this morning immediately after my arrival in Managua to give me their views of how the USG should treat the Somoza regime as related to current mediation efforts.² Murphy led off with general presentation to effect that US press and USG have been treating Somoza unfairly. Murphy and Wilson both said USG should not exert pressure on Somoza’s regime, which has been long-time friend of US.

2. Regarding AID and IMF decisions, Wilson said he had been assured that economic aid would be continued but believes that entire AID program is in suspense. He said he would be interested in talking to USAID Director to get a detailed breakdown on ongoing aid activities. He recalled congressional controversy of a year ago, in which he and other Congressmen were able to restore military and economic assistance for Nicaragua. He claims he had been assured by the Department that economic aid would go forward. He said it had never occurred to him to inquire from Treasury and other senior officials who frequently testified before the Appropriations Committee whether political consideration might be brought to bear on the IMF decisions. I avoided getting drawn out on either economic aid or IMF decisions, and with respect to the latter said he could obtain a more detailed description from those directly involved in Washington. I added that I understood that decision was a postponement of two or three weeks rather than a disapproval, but Wilson claimed that there would have been further political interference if the application had been pursued by the GON. Wilson also criticized some of the younger Carter appointees who, he alleged, have dealt too harshly with the Somoza regime. He claimed that even with human rights improvements earlier this year the Department had not eased up sufficiently on its restrictions on aid to Nicaragua. He and Murphy alleged that the Somoza regime should not be penalized for human rights or other policy reasons.

3. Murphy and Wilson both charged that Venezuela and other countries are adding unnecessarily to Somoza’s current problems by supporting the Sandinistas. Murphy made same point as in State 287382³ regarding his August warning to Department that guerrillas should have been interdicted in Costa Rica to avoid serious civil strife and bloodshed in Nicaragua. He said he believes USG has not done all it can to curtail support from these neighboring countries to the Sandinistas. I made clear that we had been most active with them in trying to prevent escalation of the fighting and elisting their support in the mediation effort. Wilson acknowledged that Venezuela had withdrawn its aircraft from Costa Rica.

4. Both Congressmen commented on the mediation negotiations, particularly the projected plebiscite. Both emphasized that Somoza is offering a straightforward election and one in which civil restrictions would be removed so as to allow a fair campaign. Both stated that they thought Somoza would make concessions with respect to the wording to be used as the issue in any upcoming plebiscite, although both repeatedly referred to a choice between Liberal Party and FAO, and between the Liberal Party and other political parties. They made the point that if Somoza wins he still intends to carry out the reforms which the plan and Somoza had offered the FAO. Thus, the opposition would share in Cabinet and other government posts in the making of the new government from the time of the plebiscite to the end of Somoza’s term in 1981. Both Congressmen pointed to the anomaly of reports to Washington from the Embassy that the opposition is strong, and yet the opposition seems reluctant to take on Somoza in an election. Neither said specifically what he thought Somoza would do if Somoza were to lose a plebiscite vote.

5. Presumably reflecting his membership on the appropriations committee, Wilson predicted that Congress would have difficulty in considering and approving funds for IMF and AID, because of his and others’ concern over recent policy decisions with respect to Nicaragua. Both Congressmen said that there is a swing bloc of Congressmen who would be watching these issues closely when the time comes for crucial votes on IMF, IMET and AID programs.

6. Comment: As the foregoing indicates, the two Congressmen in our hour long meeting made no attempt to hide their partiality and support for Somoza. They did not press me, however, on the plebiscite issue as I had anticipated. I explained that I wanted to speak with my NG colleagues on their consultations in their respective capitals after which we would renew our talks with the FAO on the basis of elements of the PLN document including, of course, the plebiscite issue. This seemed to satisfy them.⁴

Solaun

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P780187–2414. Confidential; Immediate; Nodis.
2. In telegram 5908 from Managua, November 16, Bowdler asked Christopher and Vaky how to respond to Murphy’s request that the Embassy arrange a press conference for himself and Wilson. (National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Records of the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Warren Christopher, Lot 81D113, Box 22, Human Rights—Nicaragua VII) The Department issued Christopher’s response in telegram 291484 to Managua, November 17, instructing Bowdler and Solaun to urge Murphy and Wilson against holding a press conference in Nicaragua, owing to Bowdler’s status as the President’s officially designated representative in the mediation process and “it is essential that the U.S. speak with only one voice.” Christopher stressed: “In their capacity as U.S. Congressmen, anything they say will almost inevitably be construed as an official U.S. position, especially by the public in Nicaragua.” Christopher warned that their public statements would “create confusion,” which “could have adverse effect upon U.S. efforts to find a peaceful solution in a dangerous situation.” If Murphy and Wilson decided to proceed, Christopher concluded, the Embassy should not assist in the event. (Ibid.)
3. In telegram 287382 to Managua, November 12, the Department described Murphy’s meeting with Newsom regarding Nicaragua. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P780187–2430)
4. In telegram 5939 from Managua, November 17, the Embassy reported that Wilson and Murphy had given a joint press conference at Managua’s Intercontinental Hotel and commented “the conference was arranged by the GON and, as expected, the Congressmen supported Somoza’s position on the plebiscite.” (National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Records of the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Warren Christopher, Lot 81D113, Box 22, Human Rights—Nicaragua VII)