713.00/5–1050
The Director of the Office of Middle American Affairs ( Mann ) to the Ambassador in Cuba ( Butler )
official informal
Dear Mr. Ambassador: In accordance with my promise to you, I have discussed with Mr. Battle, and with officers in the Department closely identified with the problem of Communism, the advisability of your suggesting to President Prío that he initiate action leading to a joint anti-Communist declaration in the Caribbean.
The consensus here is that such a suggestion would not serve a useful purpose. There are three reasons for this conclusion. First, we are of the opinion that Resolution 32 of the recent Bogota conference, similar resolutions of UN agencies and the principles of the inter-American system already make amply clear our opposition to Communism [Page 662] as well as the opposition of the Caribbean states. What is needed is implementation of existing policies rather than restatements of policies. Second, such a statement might lead to adoption of resolutions for multilateral action. Our experience during the last war leads us to believe that a bilateral approach is more effective than the multilateral approach in bringing about concrete measures to deal with Communism. Third, a Caribbean statement or pact would be of a sub-regional character and, in the event that additional multilateral inter-American action becomes necessary, probably the forum should be the Organization of American States so as to get away from the concept of small blocs and make the action general in scope and significance.1
As you know, these opinions are consistent with the views which our Government has taken concerning parallel initiatives by the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Chile, and, more recently, Bolivia.
I should say that I am only expressing what I believe to be a present consensus; circumstances may change and, if they do, it might be desirable to reconsider.
This letter gives me an opportunity to say that I enjoyed seeing you during your last visit to Washington and I am sure that the exchange of views was helpful to us. We have a common objective and interest and I hope that you will count on us for loyal cooperation.
Please give my best wishes to Mrs. Butler who was such an excellent hostess during my recent visit in Habana.
Sincerely yours,
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In an attached memorandum of May 2, 1950, not printed, to Willard F. Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs; John C. Dreier, Director of the Office of Regional American Affairs; and Messrs. Battle, Price, and Desvernine, Mr. Mann said:
“The attached represents the views of the several officers we consulted concerning the utility of a Caribbean anti-Communist pact or settlement.
“An additional reason for our reluctance to go along with Ambassador Butler’s suggestion is the possibility that a U.S. initiative at this time might involve us in the election campaigns now being carried on in Cuba and Guatemala/Ambassador Butler gave, as one of his reasons for favoring the plan, his belief that it would strengthen the chances of the Prío slate in the Habana mayoralty elections.” (713.00/5–1050)
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