427. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 19, 19551

SUBJECT

  • Export of Napalm Bombs to Colombia to be used to Suppress Rebel Guerrilla Forces

PARTICIPANTS

  • Ambassador Eduardo Zuleta-Angel of Colombia
  • Assistant Secretary Holland
  • OSA—Mr. Atwood

Following a discussion of other matters with the Colombian Ambassador, Mr. Holland introduced a situation which had arisen which he felt was extremely serious and one which needed the immediate attention of both countries. He said this situation had arisen in view of an official request from Colombian military authorities for immediate delivery of 3,000 napalm bombs which the Colombian military authorities wish to use in action against the rebel guerrilla forces in Colombia. Mr. Holland described in great detail the intense emotional opposition that would immediately develop in the United States and in most other countries if napalm were used in the way planned by the Colombian military forces. Mr. Holland described the intense opposition which had developed in the United States and throughout the world for that matter when napalm was used in the fighting in the Pacific and in Korea. He drew a very vivid picture of the adverse publicity which would undoubtedly result and the extremely damaging effect this would have on public opinion in the United States in relation to Colombia. He pointed out that people in the United States as a whole were not aware of the guerrilla problem in Colombia and certainly would not feel that any situation existed which would require such drastic action. Mr. Holland was very careful to point out that he did not minimize in the least the Colombian Government’s problem and its responsibility for solving it along whatever lines it considered necessary. He said, however, that he felt in all frankness he should advise the Ambassador of what he, Mr. Holland, felt would be the result if this terrifying destructive weapon were used.

The Ambassador was visibly impressed with the seriousness of the situation. He said that he had heard nothing of this previously. He said that he assumed the request for the napalm bombs had come through his office but it must be part of a routine request for military equipment and that he had not given it anything but [Page 867] routine approval. Mr. Holland explained that this had been the case at the time the request was made. The napalm bombs were listed along with other military equipment to be used for training purposes. The Ambassador would immediately call the President of Colombia and report back to Mr. Holland. Mr. Holland indicated that in the meantime the release of these bombs would be held up and that it might be necessary for the United States to revoke the export license. The Ambassador understood this but did not comment.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.5–MSP/5–1955. Secret. Drafted by Atwood.