444. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in El Salvador1
313007. Subject: Bilateral Meeting Between the Secretary and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Chavez Mena.
1. Secret-Entire text
2. The Secretary met with Foreign Minister Chavez Mena at 5:00 pm on November 19. Also present were Ambassadors Bowdler and White.
3. The Secretary opened the conversation by asking for the Foreign Minister’s assessment of the situation. He assured the FonMin that the problems of El Salvador were a matter of concern to the highest levels of the USG.
4. The FonMin responded with a tribute to the USG policy toward El Salvador. He said that his primary concern at the moment was the violence from the right and the possibility of a right wing coup. He said he needed more economic support from the US and international agencies. The economy was not doing well, he explained, because of the government’s own inefficiency and because of the violence from the left and right. He added that there is a growing fear that a right wing faction in El Salvador may try to destabilize the government and reverse what has been accomplished during the transition period in the United States.2 He added that the only hope for the left lies in a right wing coup.
5. The Secretary stated that he would communicate these concerns to the incoming administration. He said that he was sure that the Reagan administration would not want to shift to the right adding that they would, however, want to have the facts straight before coming to any decision.
[Page 1134]6. The Secretary asked if the Foreign Minister would not also want the US to reassure other governments of the true intentions of the government of El Salvador.
7. The FonMin accepted the Secretary’s offer with thanks adding that in order to do an efficient job in public relations the GOES has to become more efficient and conduct itself as a real government. At this point, the Minister said the government does not have total control over the military but cooperation and understanding between the civilian and military components are improving. Chavez Mena affirmed the government’s intention to continue to move effectively against the leftist subversives at the same time holding out to the more moderate left the opportunity for dialogue and mediation.
8. Secretary Muskie stated that coincidentally he was meeting with the German Foreign Minister the next day and would relay the substance of the conversation to the FonMin. He also promised to explain the reality of El Salvador to the European Foreign Ministers when he meets with them next month at the NATO conference.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800563–0312. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information Priority to all American Republic diplomatic posts. Drafted by White; cleared in S/S–S, S/S–O, and S/S; approved by Bowdler.↩
- Pastor’s November 12 Evening Report to Brzezinski noted that White had reported that the “center/right and far right maneuvering” had increased and the objective of both groups was to “oust Majano.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 55, Evening Reports: 4/80–8/80) In telegram 7992 from San Salvador, November 16, White reported: “Four of the five top leaders of the military services, often referred to as the invisible government of El Salvador, told me today that they will not permit a rightist coup and that, while they dislike and distrust Col. Majano, they will not try to drive him out of the Junta.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800549–0958)↩