437. Telegram From the Ambassador in Colombia (Bonsal) to the Department of State 1

145. Eyes only for Secretary Holland. Re Deptel 74.2 President Rojas Pinilla received me yesterday afternoon. I delivered to him oral message from President Eisenhower along lines reference telegram [Page 880] and my letter to Holland of August 16.3 I stressed the personal nature of message, friendly motivation, non-intervention, and continuance by executive of present policies as background for statement that President Eisenhower concerned at serious deterioration US public opinion regarding Colombia.

President Rojas expressed cordial appreciation of President Eisenhower’s motives and asked that his personal greetings be transmitted to President. He believes only Tiempo side of question known to American public. He then proceeded to make following series of statements:

(a)
There is evidence, based on confessions of arrested guerrillas, that Santos4 was engaged personally in financing guerrillas in Suma Paz area. (I find it very difficult to believe this.)
(b)
Columns of Tiempo were probably being used to convey coded information to guerrillas.
(c)
After Tiempo had insulted President at time of his Quito visit, indignant armed forces would have closed down Tiempo if President had not done so. President added that in fact if he had not closed Tiempo, armed forces might have thrown him out of Presidency. When I raised eyebrows at this, he said it might be somewhat of an exaggeration.
(d)
Tiempo will not reappear for present. It might have done so if Santos had not backed Garcia Pena’s5 insult to President. However, new paper Informacion will be published on Tiempo’s presses by Garcia Pena’s son-in-law, Jaime Posada and Espectador will probably become morning paper. Censorship will continue on present basis.
(e)
Garcia Pena’s insult to President was particularly serious in view international situation. President believes that if Ecuador should be “invaded” by Peru, Colombia would be obliged assist Ecuador, in accordance with Colombia’s international commitments. Object of President’s trip to Ecuador was to emphasize Colombian solidarity and determination to comply with obligations to keep peace. He thinks this deterrent to possible Peruvian aggressive intentions. President said that obviously if Ecuador were to attack Peru no such obligation to Ecuador on part Colombia would exist and he intimated that Colombia’s obligations are no different than her obligations as member of OAS and United Nations to fight aggression anywhere. He mentioned Korea as case in point.
(f)
President stated his objective, which he confident of reaching, was “decent press” in which government and its officials would not be scurrilously attacked. He stated official newspaper will possibly appear by end of this year under management of two liberals and two conservatives. (General Calderon Reyes,6 according to President, is out of this picture.)
(g)
As matter of background which might be unfamiliar to me President recalled that in 1938 at beginning of Santos administration, [Page 881] Bogota press was strongly attacking armed forces. A group of young officers decided “to do something about it.” Rojas, then a captain, was in group designated to take care of Tiempo. Only an order by Santos to papers to cease attacking armed forces prevented violence at that time.

President convinced this action in closing Tiempo overwhelmingly supported here. He believes that “plebiscite” he has received more overwhelming than that which took place following June 13, 1953. President is wholly impervious to our ways of thought on press matters. He was cordial throughout interview and we parted in friendly fashion with President reiterating his admiration and friendship for President Eisenhower and assuring me he would be delighted to see me at any time.

In his present frame of mind, Rojas probably less impressed by deteriorating US public opinion than by reiteration of US policy of non-intervention and determination continue current programs.

However, as US public and official opinion begins affect US executive and private decisions, his attitude may change. He is currently and, in my judgment, largely sincerely, playing part supremely self-confident ruler. He truly believes that liberal politicians, “intellectuals” and newspapermen have caused and would, if uncontrolled, continue to cause bloodshed and anarchy. He has no evidence of effective opposition within country to his recent actions. He is unaware that passive attitude of his opponents is reflected in lukewarmness of many of his supporters and officeholders. He can, however, rely on armed forces to keep order in cities and to cope with guerrillas.

And coffee is currently selling in good quantity at 67 cents.

Bonsal
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.11/9–355. Secret.
  2. Telegram 74, August 23, authorized Bonsal to deliver President Eisenhower’s views to President Rojas. (Ibid., 721.11/8–2355)
  3. Not further identified.
  4. Eduardo Santos, owner of El Tiempo, was President of Colombia, 1938–1942.
  5. Roberto García Peña, editor of El Tiempo.
  6. Rafaél Calderón Reyes, Colombian Chief of Staff.