302. Telegram From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State1
3709. Subject: (C) Military Assistance. Ref: Panama 6313.2
1. (C-Entire text)
2. During my recent trip to Panama, I held extensive discussions with USSOUTHCOM, Ambassador Moss, and General Torrijos on military matters and USG-Panamanian cooperation. Ambassador Moss will be reporting on the substance of our discussions with Torrijos. I will focus in this message on USG military assistance. (reftel covers IMET)
3. The arrival of a small military advisory team late this week or early next week will stimulate requests from the FSLN leadership. [Page 734] The IMET funds requested in reftel should help satisfy training and technical assistance requests on a timely basis. We can also expect requests for military items ranging from uniforms to equipment. We should be in a position to be responsive to the more realistic requests. Some items may be available in surplus programs. Other equipment (such as vehicles, communications gear, etc) would have to be purchased. We will need a modest fund to draw on.
4. I would appreciate action on the following two items:
A. Provide a selected list of available military surplus including uniforms, rations and like items. Also include items which will be declared surplus in the short term.
B. Provide 750 thousand to one million dollars in grant funds to satisfy some priority needs, which we will identify once engaged in more intimate discussions with the FSLN leadership. I have in mind the purchase of items such as jeeps, trucks, road-grade equipment and perhaps communications gear.
5. I require enough operating flexibility to take advantage of opportunities which will demonstrate our willingness to meet GRN priority needs. It will not repeat not satisfy any interest in high profile equipment, but it will keep us in the ball game, help us in developing close relations and offer opportunities to influence key military figures. This early trial and error period will affect the climate of our relationship. We will have an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of their needs and organizational plans and, hopefully, they will recognize our willingness to be of assistance.
6. I realize that there is very limited grant assistance available, but Nicaragua must be viewed as an exceptional case which requires urgent and imaginative responses. A small investment now is essential.3
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790368–0847. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Sent for information Priority to Caracas, Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, Santo Domingo, Panama City, the Secretary of Defense, and USSOUTHCOM Quarry Heights.↩
- In telegram 6313 from Panama City, August 12, Pezzullo endorsed the sending of a U.S. International Military Education and Training team to Nicaragua from Panama and requested U.S. assurances of financial military aid for Nicaragua. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 37, Nicaragua: 8/11–31/79) In telegram 202619 to Panama City, August 4, the Department requested that Moss meet with Torrijos and make the point that the United States was willing to coordinate combined efforts with Panama to provide some military assistance to Nicaragua. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790352–0996) Moss’s report is in telegram 6320 from Panama City, August 13. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790367–0894)↩
- In telegram 214178 to Managua, August 16, the Department provided general guidance on the question of security assistance and approved the sending of a small team of U.S. security personnel to Nicaragua from Panama “to initiate conversations with GON military.” However, due to a number of reasons, it was not be possible to “establish generic ‛funds’ ahead of time” as requested. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Freedom of Information/Legal, Kimmitt, Arms Transfers/Country File, Box 27, Nicaragua: 5/77–10/80)↩