Office of the Historian

505. Memorandum of Conversation1 2

Washington, June 8, 1971, 3:15–3:45 p.m.
[Page 1]

SUBJECT:

  • Meeting by Secretary of Defense With President Somoza

Participants:

  • Nicaraguan Side

    • Lieutenant General Anastasio Somoza Debayle, President of Nicaragua
    • Ambassador Sevilla-Sacasa, Dean of the Washington Ambassador Corps
    • Minister of Foreign Affairs Lorenzo Guerrero

  • United States Side

    • Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird
    • Ambassador Turner B. Shelton, Ambassador to Nicaragua
    • Mr. Armistead I. Selden, PDASD (ISA)
    • Mr. Codus, Assistant Chief of Protocol, Department of State
    • Colonel Richard Wyrough, ISA Country Desk Officer

The meeting was primarily a courtesy visit. After the usual opening amenities, President Somoza expressed his views concerning US military assistance in Latin America. He expressed concern that the phase-out of our grant materiel assistance has caused a sliding in logistic support which is now becoming costly to former recipient countries. He observed that such requirements take funds from development projects and remarked that the US should bear in mind that cooperation can be beneficial for both sides. At the same time he strongly praised the value of US military training conducted in the Canal Zone, particularly that conducted at the School of the Americas. He remarked that such training is extremely good from a public relations point of view. With regard to arms modernization, he remarked that Nicaragua has no pressing requirements now but that it might need to embark on some program in the future after developments in Central America have become clarified. He made specific reference to “lifting Air Force ego” which he said is what such a program really means. He expressed concern about the continued threat posed by Cuba.

[Page 2]

President Somoza stated that El Salvador and Honduras should resume normal relations but was pessimistic about the possibility of any early solution. He noted that both countries were acquiring more arms than they needed. Discussion touched briefly on the Panama Canal. He remarked that the United States should expect that the Panama Canal, as the dominant economic activity within Panama, will continue to be the target for acquisitive pressures. President Somoza expressed willingness to discuss the situation with General Torrijos, if so requested. Secretary Laird thanked President Somoza for his views and commented that he should understand that Nicaragua has many friends in the Pentagon and that we will do what we can here to help our friends. Mr. Laird remarked that we do not take our friendship lightly. He agreed that when the situation clarifies in Central America the Department of Defense can see what is needed.

The general meeting adjourned at 1545 with expressions of mutual regard and was followed by a private meeting between President Somoza and Secretary Laird which lasted for approximately eight minutes.

  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–74–083, Nicaragua 1971, 000.1. Confidential. Drafted by Wyrough on June 9 and approved by Armistead I. Selden, Jr. The meeting took place in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. This conversation is published from a copy that bears Selden’s stamped signature with an indication that he signed the original.↩
  2. During a courtesy visit with Secretary of Defense Laird, President Somoza expressed concern over the administration’s policy of phasing out military assistance to Latin America and referred to “the continued threat posed by Cuba.”↩