9. Action Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs (Stedman) to Secretary of State Vance1
SUBJECT
- Small Arms Ammunition Sale to Guatemala
ISSUE FOR DECISION
Should we approve the sale of 5 million rounds of small arms ammunition to Guatemala?2
ESSENTIAL FACTORS
We have gone to Ambassador Boster in Guatemala to seek his views on the amount of ammunition which we should sell Guatemala.3 He confirms our estimate that the full 5 million rounds would be a reasonable basic load for Guatemala, given their present small arms inventory. He also makes the point that he believes it would be better to discuss the need for forward movement on Belize at one meeting with Molina, and approval of the small arms ammunition sale at a subsequent meeting (following only by several days his meeting with Molina) with Laugerud. Finally, Ambassador Boster believes we have overloaded the circuits with our demarches on human rights. He believes we should defer any other demarche until a later time in the election campaign.
ARA is in full agreement with Ambassador Boster.
THE OPTIONS
1. That you approve the course of action suggested by Ambassador Boster: separate meetings on Belize and small arms ammunition with [Page 26] Molina and Laugerud respectively and no human rights demarche at this time.
Pro
—It is a gesture of our confidence in Laugerud’s responsible behavior on this issue.
Con
—It is not as forceful as the British would probably like us to be.
2. That Ambassador Boster make our points on Belize with Laugerud at the time he notifies him of the approval of the 5 million rounds.
Pro
—Guarantees that our concern about forward motion is raised at the highest level.
Con
—The favorable impact of our notification on the sale will be greatly diluted by the formal demarche to Laugerud.
Recommendations:
That you approve Option 1.4
ALTERNATIVELY, that we do Option 2.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770144–1540. Confidential. The August 18 date was stamped on the memorandum. Sent through Habib. Drafted by Johnson on August 19.↩
- Vance wrote, “No. Less than 5 million. 3 or at most 4 million,” in the margin next to this sentence.↩
- In telegram 195280 to Guatemala City, August 17, the Department requested Boster’s views on the ammunition sale and stipulated that Boster’s presentation to Guatemala, pending Vance’s decision on the sale, should emphasize human rights. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770297–0122) In telegram 5226 from Guatemala City, August 18, Boster replied in favor of an approval of the sale of 5 million rounds of ammunition and advised divorcing the announcement from other issues, such as human rights, in an effort to improve “mutual confidence and goodwill between us.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770298–1114)↩
- According to a stamped date next to the checkmark, Vance indicated his approval of Option 1 on August 19 and wrote: “as modified.” In telegram 198357 to Guatemala City, August 24, Boster reported his confirmation to Laugerud of the approval of the sale of 4 million rounds of ammunition. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 24, Guatemala: 2/77–12/78)↩