296. Telegram From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State1
3288. Subject: (U) Government of National Reconstruction Installed July 20. Ref: O’Donnell/Working Group Telecon of July 20.2
1. (C)-Entire text
2. Summary: The Nicaraguan Government of National Reconstruction was installed Friday, July 20, in a festive ceremony in downtown [Page 721] Managua attended by hemispheric representatives (including U.S. Ambassador William Bowdler), led by Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Jimenez, Nicaraguan Church Leaders, FSLN Military Commanders, and a jubilant crowd of roughly 75,000 people. The ceremony was peaceful and orderly. No disturbances were noted. U.S. representatives were conspicuous and well-received by officials of the new government as well as enthusiastic spectators. By far the most popular figures with the crowd were Eden Pastora, FSLN/T Military Commander and Archbishop Obando y Bravo. Chronological account follows. End summary.
3. Despite an announced 11:00 am start of ceremonies, the caravan of foreign dignitaries and government officials did not form until well after noon. Among the foreign dignitaries present were: two Costa Rican Vice Presidents, two ForMins (Dominican Republic and Panama), Mexican Amb Andres Rosenthal, Amb Bowdler (accompanied by Charge and PolOff), Dominican Republic Amb to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic Charge here. (Note: No Andean countries were represented. End note)
4. Led by a Red Cross vehicle and FSLN Security, the Caravan arrived at the National Palace at 12:30. The crowd there was huge (our best estimate is around 75,000 despite intense heat) and the Caravan was forced to halt approximately 75 meters from Palace entrance. The crowd’s mood was festive, but controlled. As we made our way through crush of the crowd to the Palace, many persons reached out to shake hands and Amb Bowdler was repeatedly congratulated on the U.S. role in Somoza’s ouster.
5. The Junta arrived late, about 1:30. Once they arrived, all members of the GRN, FSLN leaders and Archbishop made appearances before the crowd. Pastora received much greater ovation than any other figure. In second place was the Archbishop. During the ceremonies, Amb Bowdler, the Charge and PolOff were able to speak with all Junta members, Pastora and various GRN Cabinet members. No hostility toward USG was evident and a desire to work together on the reconstruction was repeatedly mentioned by GRN officials.
6. At approximately 1:45 pm, the Junta was sworn in before a Nicaraguan flag. The Archbishop said a prayer and an oath appeared to be administered (we were not close enough to hear well). Afterwards, Daniel Ortega spoke on behalf of the Junta and ForMin Jimenez spoke on behalf of the diplomatic corps.
7. After the ceremonies, the caravan returned to the hotel where the GRN began working meetings while the foreign diplomats departed. We understand that at 8:00 pm, a second ceremony was televised in which the Junta was sworn into office.
8. Comments: It is apparent to us that Pastora’s charisma gives him the potential to become a key actor on the new Nicaraguan stage. [Page 722] It also appeared that the FSLN commanders dominated the ceremony. Each of the principal FSLN leaders arrived with his own bodyguards and appeared to have little contact with the others. Pastora greeted Amb Bowdler warmly and was comfortable posing with him repeatedly for press photographers. Pastora indicated to Marine NCOIC who accompanied us that he plans to remain active in Nicaragua although he will return from time to time to his Finca in Costa Rica. Other FSLN commanders were more reserved in their contacts with U.S. officials.
9. In his remarks for the Junta, Daniel Ortega made repeated references to the United States. We were not in a position to hear clearly his remarks, and thus far, they have not been broadcast. However, we understand from others who were able to hear him that the substance was that the U.S. had installed the Somozas, supported them for decades and, finally, forced them to leave office. He added that U.S. intervention in Nicaragua must now be ended and Nicaragua left to govern itself. We will continue our efforts to obtain a full account of his statement. A summary of the statement by D.R. Foreign Minister Jiminez on behalf of the visiting hemispheric diplomats will be sent septel.3
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790333–0171. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Sent for information to San José, Guatemala City, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, Panama City, Caracas, Santo Domingo, and USSOUTHCOM Quarry Heights.↩
- No memorandum of the July 20 O’Donnell telephone conversation with the Nicaragua Working Group has been found.↩
- Telegram 3290 from Managua, July 21, included a summary of Jimenez’s speech on behalf of the foreign dignitaries in attendance at the GRN inaugural ceremonies. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790335–0625)↩