399. Telegram From the Embassy in El Salvador to the Department of State1
6565. Subj: Delivery of President Carter’s Letter to Revolutionary Governing Junta (JRG) of El Salvador.
1. (C-Entire text)
2. President Carter’s letter of November 8 was delivered today to the Revolutionary Governing Junta (JRG) of El Salvador.2
3. Immediately upon return from Washington, I informed Foreign Minister that I had brought the letter and would appreciate opportunity to effect personal delivery to JRG. As result, I was received today by all five members of JRG, Fon Min Dada, and under Secretary of Foreign Relations Hector Oqueli.
4. I described my recent consultation in Washington and emphasized high level of interest there in new government of El Salvador and its announced program of respect for Human Rights, for political/economic/social reform, and for taking nation to genuinely free elections. I told JRG of widespread sympathy for new GOES, desire to assist it, but recognition of fact that USG assistance must be of a character and at a pace best determined by political judgement of JRG itself.
5. Illustrative of ways in which we might be able to be of assistance, I mentioned:
A. Contributing to very survival of JRG in face of dangers presently confronting it;
B. Helping to strengthen armed forces and their ability to defend JRG;
C. Helping to maintain and strengthen positive international image of JRG;
[Page 992]D. Helping to counter destructive efforts of the political extremes;
E. Making known our support for reform program of JRG; and
F. Supporting economic and development program of JRG.
6. As a means of moving all of this from the abstract to the concrete, I suggested that JRG think all this over and if it desires our help along these and other lines that it authorize us to discuss details and work out implementation with appropriate individual members of JRG or Cabinet Ministers. (This will offer distinct advantages in terms of security, celerity of movement, etc.)
7. All present listened with interest and apparent appreciation. I then thanked them for the letter they had entrusted to me for President Carter, said that I had brought back President Carter’s reply, and offered to read it aloud in Spanish for them if they so desired. They rather eagerly accepted this and seemed genuinely delighted with the content of the letter.
8. I told JRG members that we would leave up to them decision as to whether to publish President Carter’s letter. Should they decide affirmatively, however, I asked that we be notified so that we might arrange corresponding and reinforcing publicity through our own channels. Should this occur, I recommend that we publicize both letters in the exchange of correspondence.
9. As conversation closed, I reemphasized our Embassy’s hope to stay in close contact with JRG and with Cabinet Ministers so as to be able to contribute whatever we can to their program of respect for Human Rights, Political/Economic/Social Reform, and the holding of genuinely free elections.
- Source: Department of State, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, Nicaragua/El Salvador Working Files, Lot 81D64, El Salvador, Telegrams, 11/79. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information to Caracas, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, Panama City, San José, Tegucigalpa, USCINCSO Quarry Heights, and DIA.↩
- In a November 3 letter to Carter, the JRG said that it stood for “respect for human rights, the process of democratization, the holding of truly free elections,” and “peace and tranquility under a regime of law.” Carter’s response to the JRG, dated November 8, noted that “we are encouraged by the democratic philosophy adopted by your government,” and offered U.S. cooperation. In a November 8 memorandum to Carter, Brzezinski forwarded the letter for Carter’s signature and noted: “The Junta is being provoked and attacked by the extreme left, and your letter of support will be very welcome.” (All three in Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence With Foreign Leaders File, Box 5, El Salvador, Members of the Revolutionary Junta of Government, 11/79–10/80)↩