425. Telegram From the Ambassador in Colombia (Bonsal) to the Department of State1
385. Reference Embassy telegrams 3672 and 379.3 Following telephone conversation this morning with Atwood, I obtained appointment with President Rojas who received me at 4 this afternoon. I explained situation re use of grant and reimbursable MDAP material, referring particularly to items set forth in numbered paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of Embassy telegram 367. After reiterating to [Page 864] President awareness of fine results he and his government have accomplished in clearing up public order situation here and returning former guerrillas to peaceful pursuits, I stated that cases I had mentioned raised potential problem of impact on US public opinion in addition to question of agreed use of grant and reimbursable aid.
President expressed understanding of and appreciation our position. He stated, however, that he is wholly convinced of Communist inspiration, support and leadership of guerrilla forces in Tolima area. He recognizes that there are other factors including the incentive of getting hold by violent means of the $10 million coffee crop in the area. But he insists that Communists, many of them of foreign extraction, are at the root of the trouble. He mentioned Lister, a leader in the Spanish Civil War, said to have been recently killed in Tolima (any data Department has on Lister’s whereabouts would be appreciated) and also Richards, an international Communist, and others of German, Czech and even Russian origin.
President estimates guerrilla forces at about 2,000. He says they have with them large number hostages including women and children. He states that objective of armed forces is gradually to surround guerrillas, to force them to give up hostages and, if possible by persuasion, to lead them eventually to lay down their arms. He recognizes extreme importance of avoiding, if at all possible, any drastic military action and to follow social-economic policies which have given such good results in other cases.
Military operations are being conducted under conditions of rigorous press censorship; President indicated current attempt is to surround guerrillas at point called (La Colonia), few kilometers from Villarica.
President said that he did not think it would be necessary to dispatch any further US-furnished equipment to area. He did not however, feel it incumbent on him to defend or justify use which had already been made. … President stated conviction that Russians are strongly interested in Colombian situation and are actively supporting activities which they hope will lead to overthrow of government here.
Whole tone of conversation friendly. Exploratory nature of interview, I did not endeavor to press President for any commitment. I believe, however, that his knowledge of our interest and concern will have useful effect.
It seems to me that we will have to determine future conduct in light of developments unless we decide take rigid legalistic position which I would not recommend. Although fact of my interview with [Page 865] President known to various Colombian officials, including Foreign Minister,4 subject matter revealed by me only to President.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.00/5–1855. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩
- In paragraph 1 of telegram 367 from Bogotá, May 12, Ambassador Bonsal stated that the Colombian Air Force was interested in expediting shipment of 50 napalm bombs bought from the United States. In paragraph 3 Bonsal reported that the Colombian Air Force was using aircraft supplied by the United States in bombing missions against guerrilla forces. In paragraph 4 the Ambassador stated that guns supplied by the United States were to be used against the Tolima guerrillas. He said that American military advisers had lodged informal protests against this use of the equipment. (Ibid., 721.00/5–1255)↩
- Telegram 379 from Bogota, May 17, not printed. (Ibid.)↩
- Evaristo Sourdis.↩