Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, Volume XXIII, Mexico, Cuba, and the Caribbean

194. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jamaica¹

Washington, September 22, 1979, 0136Z

249355. Subject: U.S. Response to Manley’s NAM Speech. Ref: Kingston 6884, State 247590.²

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Embassy is authorized to discuss in a low-key way with opposition leader Seaga the U.S. reaction to Manley’s NAM speech; however, talking points for this discussion should be more general than those transmitted in State 247590 for use with FonMin Patterson and key PNP moderates. You should draw primarily from the first three talking points (Paragraph 8, State 247590).³

3. If possible, meeting with Seaga should not repeat not appear to be specially arranged for the purpose of expressing U.S. concerns. It should be low-key and characterized as part of the continuing U.S. effort to maintain communication with all responsible parties in Jamaica. Our concern is to avoid the possibility of an attack by Manley or others on the Embassy for “interference” in domestic Jamaican affairs, however unfounded such allegations might be.⁴

4. Guidance in this telegram should be applied to other conversations that may arise with persons for whom talking points were not specifically designed.

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790433–0192. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by LeBourgeois; cleared by Warne and Grove; approved by Vaky.
2. See footnote 2, Document 192. In telegram 6884 from Kingston, September 20, the Embassy broached the idea of informing Seaga of U.S. concern about Manley’s speech. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790430–0957) Telegram 247590 to Kingston, September 20, provided talking points to convey to Foreign Minister Patterson the U.S. reaction to Manley’s speech and the cuts in assistance. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790430–0550) On September 25, the Embassy reported that Patterson attempted to downplay the Prime Minister’s speech, stating that Manley’s rhetoric did not constitute any sort of a policy shift toward the United States. (Telegram 6991 from Kingston, September 25; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790439–0427) The Embassy also reported on October 1 that Patterson was “evasive and unresponsive” to the U.S. démarche. (Telegram 7130 from Kingston, October 1; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790449–0616)
3. The three talking points discuss 1) concerns about Manley’s Havana speech, 2) the leftward shift in Jamaican policy, and 3) Manley’s reversal on Puerto Rican independence.
4. Lawrence met with Seaga on October 1. Seaga told Lawrence that “he believes crisis sparked by growing public mass confrontation is imminent in Jamaica within the next two months.” (Telegram 7165 from Kingston, October 2; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])