397. Telegram From the Embassy in El Salvador to the Department of State1

6150. Subj: Meeting with New Civilian/Military Junta of El Salvador on the Continuation of Relations. Refs (A) State 275713,2 (B) San Salvador 6141.3

1. (S-Entire text)

2. On Oct 23 at 1600 DCM Howard and I met for approximately one hour with three civilian and two military members of the new Junta to present the official diplomatic note (ref A) on the continuation of diplomatic relations between the GOES and the USG. Meeting marked constructive, substantive and useful beginning.

3. After expressing the USG’s pleasure at establishing formal relations with the Junta I covered passages from my separate public statement (ref B) commending the Junta’s expressed determination to adhere to principle of human rights, to hold free and democratic elections and to seek a more just future for the people of El Salvador. From the outset, I emphasized USG’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations and our willingness to assist the Junta by providing political, economic, social and even security assistance should the Junta deem such help appropriate and consistent with its policies and programs.

4. Responding initially on behalf of the Junta, Dr. Guillermo Ungo expressed appreciation for the continuation of diplomatic relations and my statement regarding the nature of relations between our two governments. He stated that the new government welcomes and looks forward to the possibility of “close cooperation” with the US in the economic, social and political areas. He then turned to his colleagues for their additional responses and comments.

5. Economic crisis and need for early assistance—Col. Gutierrez spoke of the serious economic crisis confronting the nation reflected in heavy capital flight, lack of investment and virtual cut-off of financial credits—both internally and externally. Elaborating on this theme, [Page 987] Junta member Andino made a strong plea (endorsed by other Junta members) for US assistance in improving the image of the country and thereby facilitating the flow of public and private financial credits to assist nation in weathering this difficult period.

6. In similar vein Andino expressed hope that improvement in national situation will permit early removal of travel advisory which as reflection of national reality has seriously affected tourism and investments in El Salvador.4 I responded by assuring Junta that travel advisory has never intended as means of pressuring El Salvador. Noting initial signs of improvement attendant upon change of government, I stressed that the Embassy and USG strongly desire to lift advisory as soon as situation in El Salvador permits.

7. Picking up on economic assistance theme, Dr. Mayorga implied that country would welcome and need substantial external help both through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. He implied that El Salvador would like substantial increase in AID program with understanding that additional funds could now be used more effectively for well being of poor and disadvantaged in El Salvador. He, as well as other Junta members, alluded several times to Junta’s commitment to structural changes which would make such assistance both necessary and more useful in helping the most needy.

8. Referring to forthcoming IDB mission, Mayorga lodged a special request for USG understanding and active support—not just neutrality—in new government’s efforts to obtain substantial assistance in soft loans to carry out program of economic transition. Mayorga said new GOES is putting together “emergency” economic program whose primary objectives will be to create employment, stimulate production and put unused capacity to work. Program’s success will, in important measure, depend on affirmative US support in the IDB. El Salvador desperately needs a rapid and agile response to its aid requests, Mayorga emphasized.5

9. Human rights—at this juncture conversation shifted to question of human rights and corollary and thorny issues of political prisoners [Page 988] and disappeared persons. In response to Ungo’s inquiry about how foreign press is reacting to Junta, I pointed out that initial reaction to new Junta has been positive with tinge of skepticism as to whether new leadership will be able to cope with extremes of left and right while following through on promised reforms in human rights and other fields. Gutierrez and Ungo then outlined difficulty Junta is encountering in coping with continuing violence and nearly insoluble problem of disappeared persons.

10. Regarding latter, Junta has searched jails and now verified that alleged 300 political prisoners no longer exist, but it does not know how to reveal and admit this fact publicly without provoking public outcry. Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission, Committee of Mothers, leftists groups, etc., are demanding that Junta obtain extradition of ex-Presidents Molina and Romero and bringing of charges against numerous officers in military and security forces for their alleged responsibility in past human rights violations. He said rooting out and punishing past violators is a desirable but politically impossible task under current circumstances. As a result, Ungo explained that challenge and primary objective of Junta is to implement positive human rights measure in future which will create good record and overshadow negative and probably unrectifiable excesses committed in the past. This is not the ideal or most desirable solution, Ungo said, but it appears to be the only viable course of action given existing political realities.

11. On the equally sensitive issue of excessive official violence in the pursuit of law and order, I informed the Junta that a group of US human rights activists had met with me earlier in the day and criticized the security forces for using unnecessary and excessive violence in dissolving Ta Fapu organized March on Oct 22 on the road from the airport. In response both Andino and Gutierrez uneasily admitted that all of their efforts to date have produced conflicting versions as to what really happened in terms of responsibility for this violent confrontation. Gutierrez and Ungo tacitly acknowledged that there may be some truth to charges of overreaction by the security forces. Gutierrez added, however, that the Junta is committed to strengthening its investigative capability and as soon as circumstances permit will proceed to ween out undesirable elements in the security forces. In this context, Gutierrez said the Junta met several days ago with leaders of all the security forces and warned them that excessive use of violence, torture of political prisoners and other human rights violations will no longer be permitted. Ungo said that appointment of new Attorney General and a thorough restructuring of judicial system should greatly assist in handling violence and illegal actions in a more humane way. While it would be unrealistic to expect 100 percent improvement overnight, they stressed that the Junta is committed to and engaged in improving human rights practices in El Salvador.

[Page 989]

12. US assistance and independence position of Junta—conversation then shifted to Andino, who in name of Junta expressed hope that USG would understand and accept that new government must maintain its “independent criteria” regarding programs and presumably related question of possible US assistance. In this context he also made a specific reference regarding unhelpful nature of a US-originated report about possible US knowledge of the coup. I replied that USG understands and respects domestic and external sensitivities of new Junta, reiterated our desire to be helpful while respecting Junta’s instincts and guidance regarding what forms such assistance might take. When Junta has completed its economic diagnosis I said USG will be pleased to consider and respond to requests for economic assistance. In addition, I reiterated that USG is disposed to help in any other way the Junta considers appropriate. (It was interesting and perhaps significant that at no time did any Junta member bring up subject of security assistance.)

13. The meeting concluded on a positive note with Junta members stating their desire to maintain close, informal and discreet contact with me and other key members of the Embassy staff. They proposed, and I readily agreed, to work out flexible and informal channels of communication which will enable our two governments to work together effectively in the difficult period that lies ahead.

Devine
  1. Source: Department of State, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, Nicaragua/El Salvador Working Files, 8/79–1/81, Lot 81D64, El Salvador Telegrams, 10/79. Secret; Immediate. Sent for information Immediate to Caracas, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, Panama City, San José, Tegucigalpa, USCINCSO Quarry Heights, and DIA.
  2. In telegram 2757143 to San Salvador, October 23, the Department provided guidance on the continuation of relations with El Salvador. (Ibid.)
  3. In telegram 6141 from San Salvador, October 24, the Embassy reported on Devine’s October 23 public declaration of the continuation of relations with El Salvador. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790491–1284)
  4. In telegram 2739 from San Salvador, May 23, the Embassy requested a travel advisory “warning all U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to El Salvador if at all possible.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790235–0110)
  5. In telegram 281355 to San Salvador, October 27, the Department requested that Devine inform either Junta members or a Cabinet Minister that “given the new government’s stated intention of working toward social justice and political and economic reform in the context of respect for human rights, and in recognition of the progress already made, we have instructed our delegate to the IDB to support El Salvador’s preinvestment program when it comes to a vote.” (Department of State, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, Nicaragua/El Salvador Working Files, Lot 81D64, El Salvador Telegrams, 10/79)