Office of the Historian

238. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nicaragua1

Washington, June 28, 1979, 1636Z

Tosec 60101/166874. For Ambassador Pezzullo. Subject: Talk With Somoza. Ref: Managua 2857.2

1. (S-Entire text)

2. Reftel’s description of your conversation appears to put us exactly where we were with Christopher’s talk with Murphy.3 We find it disturbing and not advancing us very far in that sense.

3. Somoza must be perfectly clear that:

—We cannot guarantee or preserve the Guard in its present form.

—We can only consider supporting a Guard which has been reconstituted and which is controlled by a transitional governing group which is legitimatized by adequate support of the Nicaraguan people and OAS members.

—In short, the sequence can only be Somoza’s departure first, a new government representing a clear break, and then possible support to a restructured guard.

4. We must not create a situation which will allow Somoza (or Murphy) to claim that he resigned in exchange for our promise to support the Guard as is. Nor do we want Somoza or Murphy to be able to claim that the FSLN swept to power because we would not support a moderate alternative. While we are prepared to listen to Somoza’s ideas on how the Guard might be reformed, it is essential that he understand the points in 3 above. Therefore, if Somoza returns with his ideas, make the points above and tell him you will have to refer back to Washington.

5. It is urgent that we get an assessment on the feasibility of carrying out the balance of our scenario, i.e. the willingness of moderate opposition elements to form an executive committee. Please proceed urgently with your contacts in that sense and let us know. At an SCC meeting this morning chaired by David Aaron, all were in agreement that you [Page 604] should not allow prolonged sessions with Somoza prevent you from such contacts.4

Christopher
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 35, Nicaragua: 6/26–28/79. Secret; Flash; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Caracas, Panama City, San José, the White House, and to Vance in Tokyo. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Vaky; cleared by Pastor; approved by Christopher. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840130–1925)↩
  2. See Document 235.↩
  3. See footnote 2, Document 229.↩
  4. See Document 247.↩