215. Telegram From the Department of State to all American Republic Diplomatic Posts, the Embassies in Guyana and The Bahamas, and the United States Interests Section in Cuba1
156544. Subject: Nicaragua.
1. (S-Entire text)
2. Following is latest information on Nicaragua situation which is FYI only and not repeat not for discussion with your host government.
3. “Provisional government” was formed by Sandinistas and some other groups, and announced afternoon June 16. It is composed of [Page 550] Sergio Ramirez (G–12), Alfonso Robelo (MDN), Moises Hassan (MPU and GPP), Daniel Ortego Saavedra (Terciarios) and Violetta Chamorro (widow of Pedro Joaquin Chamorro). Only Robelo would appear to qualify as real moderate. We were informed informally by Mexico afternoon of June 16 that it would “support” this government, presumably meaning recognition. We are attempting to ascertain the GOM views more concretely. Panama and Costa Rica may follow suit.
4. Evidence is that movement across Costa Rican border June 15 was aimed at securing “territory” for provisional government. Major effort against Leon may also have been for same purpose.
5. The belligerency status declaration of Andean group complicates matters as explained in State 153522 and 154042 (Notal).2 Any recognition of a “provisional government,” should it occur, would be that much more complicating for same reasons. Both threaten to convert the situation into international conflict to remove any chance for a political solution, and to divide the hemisphere.
6. We believe we can no longer wait regarding a MFM. Recognizing that the above steps will affect a MFM’s task, we believe that nevertheless it is the only step that can be taken which has any chance of reconciling the various elements and finding a way out. The alternative is to risk unilateral interventions which will only spread conflict and chaos.
7. Accordingly we plan on June 16 to request reconvening of 17th MFM for no later than June 21 (and we may have to go earlier). We believe Brazil and Venezuela will join us, but time is so urgent in our opinion we will request alone if necessary.
8. We will be providing you with further guidance later as to MFM convocation and what we want to achieve thereby.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 35, Nicaragua: 6/17–20/79. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted and approved by Vaky. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790274–0605)↩
- See Document 212. In telegram 154042 to Caracas, June 15, the Department instructed the Embassy to point out to Zambrano that the United States would have “serious problems with any declaration of a state of belligerency” regarding Nicaragua on the part of Venezuela. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790271–0020) The Andean Pact Foreign Ministers’ declaration of a state of belligerency in Nicaragua was released on June 16. See footnote 2, Document 210.↩