458. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in El Salvador1
9213. Subject: Military Assistance to El Salvador.
1. (C-Entire text)
2. The President has authorized us to sign the FY 81 FMS loan agreement and proceed with the dols. Five million FMS-financed equipment and training, the entire remainder of the FY 81 IMET training program and the loan of two UH–IH (Huey) transport helicopters.2 Under the FY 81 FMS credit program dols 2.3 million is for non-lethal equipment and the remaining 2.7 million is for helicopter-related training and support. The decision was based on a review of progress made in the three areas of concern we outlined to Duarte on December 18, namely: rapid progress in the investigation of the murders of the four American churchwomen, transfers within the military, and reduc [Page 1175] tion in violence originating from the security forces. The current military situation in El Salvador also figures in the decision.
3. You should inform President Duarte of the foregoing, enabling him to use it to his advantage with the military. In doing so, make the following points:
—The President’s decision was based on his judgement that progress has been made, particularly in the investigation of the deaths of the four women and the military’s action in transferring officers.
—The President put weight on Duarte’s promise that the investigation will continue rapidly and thoroughly in an honest effort to find those guilty of the murders.
—He accepted Duarte’s commitment that the IAHRC would be invited to El Salvador to observe the investigation. We are gratified that the invitation was delivered to the IAHRC today. We understand that the Salvadoran Embassy in Ottawa is following up with the Canadian church persons who travelled to El Salvador.
—The President also noted and accepted the commitment of the Salvadoran military to follow through on transfers scheduled for late January/early February.
—On the basis of the above the President decided to go ahead with the military assistance specified in para 2 above.
4. You may inform Duarte that only two helicopters were approved at this time, but that these should help to meet the military’s transport requirements as well as to carry out the training of additional pilots. Delivery of the other helicopters (for which GOES does not have trained Salvadoran pilots at this time) and the possibility of additional military equipment is still under review. We anticipate that new administration will have to decide these items.3
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 22, El Salvador: 1/13–15/81. Confidential; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to the White House. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room.↩
- For the January 12 SCC meeting and Carter’s decision, see Documents 493 and 494.↩
- Telegram 320 from San Salvador, January 14, reported Duarte’s response to telegram 9213. Duarte expressed gratitude but said that he “did not want military advisers” because their presence would “offend the nationalism of the Salvadorans and lend credence to the charges made by the JRG’s enemies that it was a pawn of the United States.” White countered that technical training was necessary to avoid accidents and to maintain the new equipment. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])↩