184. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Holland) and the Ambassador to COAS (Dreier), January 15, 19551
SUBJECT
- Costa Rican Situation
Amb. Dreier telephoned and said that he was still in San José. About an hour ago they decided for reasons known to Mr. Holland to postpone their trip to Managua until tomorrow morning. Just after that they received intelligence that their plane in observing over La Cruz reported all of a sudden in addition to the two AT–6’s and one DC–3 a P–47 appeared over that field. He was told to keep watch on the plane. It took off and flew up in the air above there, then went down to a low level and started down the road toward Liberia. Mr. Holland asked if our plane was following it. Amb. Dreier said our plane was at last report following it. It seems as though another attack had started. It is also very clear that those people are continuing to put the stuff across from sources that we do not know. It seems also that in order to avert a bad declaration the Council has to consider some very urgent action. They have not had a chance to meet in their Committee since this intelligence was received. Amb. Dreier said he talked very briefly and was going back to meet with them right away. There is some sentiment for adopting a resolution to report this to the Council as a demonstration of ineffectiveness of measures so far adopted, also that Government of Costa Rica has inadequate defense. Mr. Holland said he thought it was a good idea.
[Page 600]Mr. Holland said that some members of the Council up here feel that the Committee has broader powers than some of the rest of us feel they do, in giving opinion about what is good, bad, lawful and unlawful. Then those people here get hard to do business with when the Committee reports along these lines. Mr. Holland gave illustration of the difference between reporting the facts and interpreting them. He said, for example, if the Committee reports that planes are not flying, the Committee doesn’t have to note that what we have done so far has stopped the show. If the Committee reports the fact the Council can draw that conclusion. It would be easier if the Committee reports objectively and dispassionately the facts. If a member of the Committee feels that certain action should be taken, as Amb. Dreier has in this case, let him get on the phone and tell his own people as a representative of that country what he feels ought to be done and then we won’t have difficulty in the Council. It would eliminate difficulties as to what the Council and the Committee each can and can’t do. Amb. Dreier said he appreciated that though it was hard to obtain.
Amb. Dreier asked if telegram 2132 that Amb. Woodward said he was sending Niact had been received. Amb. Dreier said he would like to support it actively in the light of the latest development. He said there was no confirmation of the landings on the Pacific Coast; on the contrary, the planes saw nothing resembling any military or amphibious landing. Mr. Holland said that the Committee ought to report that.
Amb. Dreier reported that there is another white cross on the road south of La Cruz, further south than the one previously reported. There is a column of troops moving south on the road—about 100 were seen.
Amb. Dreier said he had an appointment with the Foreign Minister at 4:30 (it was now 4:00 there). The Foreign Minister had asked him to call.
Amb. Dreier asked if we had gotten copies of telegrams containing reports of yesterday from the reconnaissance planes, which were being sent from Panama to Washington from San José through naval channels. Mr. Holland said he would try to make arrangements for getting them.
Amb. Dreier said he was going back to the city.
Mr. Holland reviewed: Plane saw a P–47 on ground with two AT–6’s and DC–3; was told to watch and it took off and climbed and then got down to a very low level and started down the road to Liberia and we are following it. Mr. Holland said to stay on its tail to see where he comes from and where he goes. Re landings, [Page 601] unfounded rumor. Troop movement south on the road. Amb. Dreier supports recommendations in telegram 213. Matter of white cross.
Amb. Dreier said the Costa Rican Government was apparently concerned about the possibility of attacks today. Thinks they will see what happens and make plans tomorrow accordingly in connection with the Committee’s going to Managua.