Office of the Historian

422. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Peru1

Washington, July 28, 1962, 5:23 p.m.

106. From Loeb. Following is translation of memorandum from Haya, handed me at Lima Airport:

  • “1. Political line followed by President Kennedy with respect military coup in Peru has produced extraordinarily favorable reaction among people. I think tremendous amount good will has been won among great masses, especially students.
  • 2. Naturally, it is not same among businessmen or among Americans who wish live comfortably and without annoyances. But President must select what is most suitable for United States and democracy: Either have on his side majority of people or have the groups of people who engage in business and live apart from politics. I think we have won battle against Communism through President’s firm policy.
  • 3. Solution, it seems to me, may be found in sending OAS committee for purposes ‘friendly mediation.’ This way out would be very important and constructive. I believe Junta would have opportunity ‘save face’ and we would have good occasion for rapprochement.
  • 4. Composition of Junta could be changed through ‘friendly mediation’ of OAS. At present Junta does not offer any guarantee that will follow democratic line. General Bossio2 is the most reasonable and certainly the most impartial and “constructive” of its members. Bossio has influence with Torres Matos3 and Verastegui,4 but there are dangerous elements such as Llosa,5 Lindley6 himself (an extremist in social matters) and another. Perez Godoy is man of limited intellectual resources and prejudiced.
  • 5. Junta should be reorganized and made subject to a statute, at least. If it is to remain in existence, should have some member of the Supreme Court added to it and perhaps direct or indirect representatives of chief democratic parties. I think this is least that can be demanded of Junta, as guarantee of restoration democracy and elections in not distant future (in shorter period than one year), and with assurances human and civil rights will be respected and army will not intervene in next election.
  • 6. Pretext for coup, that is, “fraud,” has been greatly discredited even among army, navy, air force and police themselves. I believe members of Junta themselves do not believe in “the fraud” very much. This circumstance favors possibility of demanding of Junta that it be made more democratic.
  • 7. General Bossio has reiterated his promises of respect for rights of individuals and compensation for damage done to Casa del Pueblo and the headquarters of La Tribuna. He (who is perhaps brains of Junta) appears well disposed and desirous of ‘saving face.’ At same time he is very fearful of trend of international public opinion. He is convinced that military coup is extremely unpopular.
  • 8. I believe United States is using its prestige in Latin America as ‘high card.’ This, in my opinion, is fundamental. President Kennedy has gained much in behalf of cause of hemispheric solidarity and anti-Communism. And in my opinion, his policy should be maintained with integrity but without ceasing to consider solutions. But I am sure that President’s conduct has met with warm approval on part of great majority of the Peruvian people. For Peru, for cause of Cuba and for sake of hemispheric solidarity, this favorable situation must not be lost. I am sure Peru will accept without protest whatever pressures may be necessary in defense of democracy. Maintaining principle of defense of democracy, I believe Peruvians will accept all that United States may do in clear, energetic way in order not to yield in face of danger of disruption of the American system and of Communist advance.

Lima, July 24, 1962”

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 723.00/7-2862. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Poole, cleared by Loeb, and approved by Belcher.↩
  2. Brigadier General Juan Bossio Colla, Minister of Government and Police.↩
  3. Admiral Juan Francisco Torres Matos, Minister of Marine.↩
  4. Brigadier General Maximo Verastegui Izurrietta, Minister of Development and Public Works.↩
  5. Admiral Luis Edgardo Llosa, Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩
  6. Nicolas Lindley Lopez, Minister of War.↩