Office of the Historian

206. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Operations, Central Intelligence Agency (McMahon) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Vaky), the Director of Intelligence and Research (Bowdler), and Robert Pastor of the National Security Council Staff1

Washington, May 22, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Views of Eden Pastora Gomez, Military Leader of the Terciario Faction of the Sandinist National Liberation Front (FSLN/T)

Summary: According to Eden Pastora Gomez, the FSLN/T would like the United States Government to cut off any form of aid and support to President Somoza. Pastora believes the U.S. could use its influence to bring about policy shifts in Costa Rica, Panama, and Venezuela which would then restore FSLN arms supply channels and facilitate FSLN operations. All three members of the FSLN/T who are on the National Directorate are prepared to talk with an emissary of the United States. Pastora envisions a coalition government whose main function would be to prepare for national elections. An outbreak of large-scale action could begin “at any time.” The FSLN/T now has 6000 men under arms and over 4500 rifles compared to 130 rifles in August 1978. End Summary.2

[Omitted here is the body of the report.]

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 35, Nicaragua: 3/79–5/79. Secret; Wnintel; Noforn; Nocontract; Orcon. Pastor added the handwritten notation next to the subject line: “First official contact—CIA & Sandinistas.”↩
  2. A memorandum for the record drafted by Heavner of the May 22 ARA/CIA/INR weekly meeting noted: “After a discussion of the internal divisions of the FSLN, it was agreed that CIA should continue and deepen its contacts with the non-Marxist elements in the FSLN. It was recognized that such contacts are likely in time to lead to requests for assistance, and that such contacts with CIA may also be surfaced by the FSLN at any time it suits their purposes.” (Department of State, INR/IL Historical Records, Box 18, ARA–CIA Weekly Meetings, 1979–1981)↩