Foreign Relations of the United States 1977–1980; Volume XV; Central America, 1977–1980

163. Telegram From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State¹

Managua, December 8, 1978, 1525Z

6427. For Deputy Secretary Christopher and Assistant Secretary Vaky from Bowdler–Caracas, Panama and San Jose for Ambassador only. Subject: Nicaraguan Mediation No. 222: FAO Reaction to Somoza Granting of “Pearls”.

1. The FAO plenum held two sessions yesterday, December 7, to fix its position on Somoza’s announcement lifting the state of siege, granting general amnesty, and abrogating the radio-TV code—the so-called “Three Pearls”. The first session lasted from 11 am to 1:30 pm; the second from 4 pm to about 8:30 pm.

2. At 6 pm when the NG had still not received any response from the FAO on the Somoza concessions, we decided to call Alfonso Robelo to see what was going on. Our inquiry produced an SOS call from him to come to the FAO plenum. As he described it, the plenum was lost in a storm over Somoza’s statements in his press conference,² particularly the reference to 20–30 days to obtain an amnesty law and his reference to a continued need for a constituent assembly. We immediately left for the MDN headquarters where the plenum was gathered. For the next hour we listened to the now familiar cant over Somoza’s untrustworthiness and the necessity for full compliance with the general amnesty before the FAO could sit down at the same table with Somoza’s achievement and the opening which it gave for further pressure on Somoza to obtain compliance and move forward to the plebiscite, we were dumbfound by the short-sightedness and the pettiness of the argumentation. As a result all three of us spoke forcefully about the need for the FAO to sieze this opportunity or lose the initiative with unforeseen consequences.

3. When we left the meeting we were not optimistic about the impact of our presentation although Robelo whispered to Jimenez that our strong language was most helpful to him in trying to bring the group around. Our timely intervention, indeed, did have positive results because the plenum decided, however, reluctantly, to enter into direct conversations with the PLN starting today, December 8. The FAO plans to meet today at 10 am to draft a brief communication to the NG accepting direct talks.

3. Our plan is to meet separately this morning with the PLN and FAO groups to outline to them the schedule and agenda that we suggest for the direct negotiations in order to complete the “Acta-compromiso”, covering plebiscite and transitional government, by December 20. I do not know, given the highly controversial issues which still remain to be solved, whether we can meet that target date but will make every effort to do so.

4. If all goes according to schedule we will bring the parties together, using the facilities of the Banco de America in what used to be downtown Managua, at 4 pm today, December 8—for the first time 64 days into the negotiations.

5. Comment (a) The opening of the talks this afternoon would seem to be an excellent opportunity for the Carazo initiative of trilateral (Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela) endorsement of the negotiations. I would hope that President Carazo with the assistance of our Ambassadors could press this initiative forward. I will flash a message to Department and addressees as soon as talks get underway to confirm that there has been no last minute hitch. (b) Pursuant what I said in paragraph 10 of Managua 6424³ I recommend that the Department issue an appropriate statement, after I have flashed confirmation, expressing satisfaction that conditions have been created for direct talks and that the talks are now underway.⁴

6. For Panama: Please brief General McAuliffe fully on the foregoing.

Solaun

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P780187–2277. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis Distribute as Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Caracas, Panama City, and San José.
2. In telegram 6407 from Managua, December 7, the Embassy reported that Somoza had read the text of the PLN communication “on lifting of state of siege, amnesty and radio TV code and acceptance direct negotiations with FAO” during a nationally broadcast press conference that day. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780504–0808)
3. See Document 162.
4. In telegram 310422 to Managua, December 9, the Department sent the text of a press statement released on December 8 that recognized the commencement of direct negotiations between the PLN and FAO. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780507–1016)