82. Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) to the Secretary of State 1
SUBJECT
- Nicaraguan-Honduran Border Dispute
The Embassy at Managua informed us at 11:00 AM, May 10, that the Investigating Committee of the OAS has concluded a satisfactory plan for a cessation of hostilities between the Governments of Nicaragua and Honduras, although full details are not yet available.2
Preliminary information indicates that the agreement means, in effect, a return to the status quo of January 1, 1957 with demobilization of volunteer and reserve troops, and a general withdrawal of troops to their permanent stations.
Military advisors supplied by OAS members will supervise the truce pending arrangements for a more definitive settlement of the boundary question, which should be vigorously pursued.
It is possible that new incidents may occur, and that the settlement will be domestically unpopular. This could result in changes in the unstable government of Honduras.
Substantial progress has been made however, and the OAS, with which we have fully cooperated, has shown speed and determination in handling this threat to Inter-American Peace.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 615.1731/5–1057. Official Use Only.↩
- In telegram 425 from Managua, May 10, the Embassy stated that President Luis Somoza informed Ambassador Whelan that he was generally satisfied with the terms of the truce agreement. The Embassy added, however, that it anticipated there would be charges and countercharges from both Honduras and Nicaragua. (Ibid., 615.17/5–1057)↩
- On July 21 Honduran Foreign Minister Estéban Mendoza and Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Alejandro Montiel Arguello signed an agreement to refer the boundary dispute to the International Court of Justice.↩