374. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Plans of the Central Intelligence Agency (Helms) to the Presidentʼs Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)1
Washington, March 18, 1964.
SUBJECT
- British Guiana
- 1.
- Reference is made to my memorandum of 7 March 1964 concerning the efforts of the Jagan-controlled Guiana Agricultural Workersʼ Union (GAWU) to gain control of the sugar workers in British Guiana.2 During the past week the strike has continued and the situation is still serious. The intimidation by GAWU has forced still more workers to remain away from their jobs, and Ministers of Jaganʼs government, including Jagan himself, have given their full and open support to the strike. Thus far the management group has remained firm [Page 857] in not recognizing the GAWU, but events may force the companies at least to allow a poll of the sugar workers to determine which union they wish to represent them. This in itself would be a defeat for the anti-Jagan Manpower Citizensʼ Association (MPCA), which presently represents the sugar workers, and further withdrawals from the MPCA could result in its complete loss of control of the sugar workers.
- 2.
-
The police force has been vigorous in its efforts to control the intimidations and demonstrations, but the force is not large enough to handle the situation completely. British troops have not yet been used.
[2 paragraphs (22½ lines of source text) not declassified]
- 5.
- A copy of this memorandum is being sent to Mr. Burdett.
RH