430. Telegram From the Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Colombia1

280. Embtel 404.2 Ambassador Zuleta advised Department that Rojas advised him:

1.
No intention use napalm against guerrillas as intended exclusively training purposes.
2.
Any officer contemplating use against guerrillas acted irresponsibly without authority.
3.
Zuleta to cancel order.

[Page 870]

Zuleta’s promised written confirmation these points not received. Zuleta also agreed return export license.3

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.00/6–55. Secret.
  2. Not printed.
  3. In a memorandum to Holland on September 15, Henry Dearborn reported that a Colombian official had continued to request the delivery of the napalm bombs. In a typewritten note dated September 18, which appears at the bottom of this memorandum, Holland indicated that he had spoken to Zuleta on September 17. According to the note, Zuleta told Holland that he would have the official cancel the napalm order, as the Colombian Government did not want the bombs. (Department of State, Holland Files: Lot 57 D 295, Colombia)