103. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Panama1
241477. Subject: Message for General Torrijos from President Carter.
1. Dear General Torrijos: We have had reports during the night that Panama is planning an attack on Nicaragua, perhaps with Venezuelan assistance.2
2. Such action would be a tragic mistake. Not only would it cause bloodshed and suffering but it would lead to destructive armed clashes between nations of this hemisphere and threaten international strife. Such action would have a devastatingly adverse effect on our bilateral relations and could undo all we have sought to achieve in the hemisphere.
3. The United States has asked other nations to join in a mediation effort in Nicaragua. We are urgently pressing this effort. Ambassador Jorden expects to see General Somoza within the next forty eight hours with respect to this effort. Attack by your forces would prevent the mediation effort from going forward and interfere with our determined efforts to find an enduring peaceful solution. It is essential that you abandon any plans you may have for military intervention and allow this mediation process to have a chance to succeed.
4. In the strongest terms I urge that no military action be taken against Nicaragua.
Sincerely.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 38, Nicaragua Cables: 9/21–30/78. Secret; Flash; Exdis Distribute as Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to the White House. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room.↩
- Telegram 6905 from Panama City, September 22, reported indications that Venezuelan aircraft located at Panama’s David and Tocumen airports “will be ordered to strike three military airfields in Nicaragua.” (Ibid.)↩