Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

821.00/11–349: Telegram

The Ambassador in Colombia (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State

confidential
Priority

Bogotá, November 3, 1949—11 a. m.

595. Re Deptel 347 November 2. Embassy doubts utility of suggested multilateral approach for reasons set forth in Embtel 589, November 2, and having in mind government’s hostile reaction to Lleras Camargo’s statement as well as decision of government and Conservative Party to go to elections on November 27, date fixed by Liberal-controlled Congress. (Embtel 594, November 3¹)

Since Gómez took stand in speech last night that Conservatives would not make a new agreement with Liberals, any expression of confidence from outside that “solution can be found present difficulties” in Colombia would probably be interpreted by Conservatives and by government as meaning intervention in behalf of Liberals to force Conservatives to adopt attitude now taken by Liberals who at this stage want agreement. Important Liberals now acknowledge privately their strategy completely mistaken and Department should be careful not let itself be placed in position of pulling Liberal coals out of fire.

Gómez of course considers solution lies in holding elections on date fixed by Congress, that is, November 27. Government now appears to share this view.

Question of selecting countries to make appeal also presents complications. For example both Argentina and Cuba widely considered here to be interventionist countries and Arango Velez charged them in his speech with intervening in Colombia.² Our abstention from joint approach also might be subject to misinterpretation, particularly if it became known, as it would, that we had sponsored the approach.

While Embassy cannot therefore recommend suggested multilateral approach it will continue to have in mind possible utility some outside appeal and will give Department any suggestions that might occur to it.

Sent Department 595, repeated Lima.³

Beaulac

1. Not printed.
2. Reference is to a statement made in the Colombian Senate by the Foreign Minister Eliseo Arango Velez.
3. The text of telegram 652, November 4, from Lima, contained the following message from Assistant Secretary Miller then visiting Peru: “Thoroughly agree recent developments make any thought multilateral approach out of question.” (821.00/11–449)