91. Memorandum From John L. Ohmans of the Office of Middle American Affairs to the Director of the Office (Newbegin)2

SUBJECT

  • Nicaraguan arms requests

Planes:

On April 20, 1954 Nicaragua informally requested purchase of up to 12 F–47 fighters and, up to 4 B–25 fighters. The Department answered on April 23 that neither F–47 nor B–25 aircraft were available. The Air Force suggested F–80 fighters and B–26 planes.

Ambassador Sevilla Sacasa was informed on May 28 that the United States was in a position to make available on a direct purchase basis 8 F–47 aircraft at a price of approximately $25,000 each. Three F–47’s arrived in Managua on June 17.

On July 17 the Nicaraguan Government expressed the desire to purchase 7 F–51 planes. Approval by the Department of State was delayed until September 2. At about the same time (on August 25), Nicaraguan President Somoza sent a communication to Ambassador Whelan saying that Sweden offered 25 of their planes for sale, it wished to take advantage of a splendid purchase offer, and he would greatly appreciate it if the Swedish planes were sold to the Nicaraguan Government without any objection on the part of the United States Government.

On September 3, Counselor of the Nicaraguan Embassy Quintana told me his Government was grateful for the information that it would be allowed to purchase P–51 aircraft from a private concern in California. He added, however, that Nicaragua wanted to buy the Swedish planes. On September 20, I clearly informed Dr. Quintana [Page 196] that (a) the United States was agreeable to the purchase by Nicaragua of P–51 aircraft from the American supplier in Burbank, California, (b) the United States cannot interpose any objection of the purchase of planes from Sweden, pointing out that there would be no possible way for the United States to do so, and that it was strictly a matter for Swedish and Nicaraguan Governments to decide.

In summary, with respect to fighter aircraft, the United States sold 3 F–47 planes to Nicaragua. The United States offered to sell F–51 planes to that country, but Nicaragua decided to buy a larger supply in Sweden.

Arms:

On May 24 the first shipment of armaments to Nicaragua under the Military Assistance Agreement was made by air. The remainder of the shipment, total value, ½ million dollars, was sent subsequently by ship on July 17.

In June, 1954, the Nicaraguan Government informally presented a list of armaments desired over a period of 5 years and wished to obtain an export license as soon as possible and an indication of available prices of a large quantity of arms. In January, 1954 the Army gave the Department a list of arms available and the prices which would be charged. This list has not been communicated to the Nicaraguan Government. On December 2 the Nicaraguan Government formally requested agreement for sale from the United States surplus stocks 7,000 Garand rifles, 7 million cartridges, caliber 30, 4–105 millimeter Howitzers. On December 22 the Department of State informed the Department of Defense that it approved meeting this request from a political and economic viewpoint.

Attached is a summary of licenses issued for the export of arms to Nicaragua during the months of June, July and August 1954.3 I am endeavoring to obtain a similar list of licenses granted for the September–December period.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 717.5622/1–1755. Confidential.
  2. Not printed.