208. Telegram From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State1
4618. Subject: Prime Minister Requests Security Protection in US for Visiting Opposition Leader.
1. C—Entire text.
2. I requested a meeting with the Prime Minister this morning to express our concern about the attempted coup (septel).2 A meeting was first arranged for Wednesday, then the Prime Minister called back to ask me to come over right away.
[Page 506]He saw me alone and began by explaining that he had just received a report from the U.S. three (3) minutes before he had called me that a group or a person was planning to assassinate opposition leader Seaga during Seaga’s current visit to the United States. (I did not reveal that we had received and already acted on the same information). He said he was asking me to have the USG treat such reports with seriousness and provide Seaga with the necessary protection. He wants Seaga alive to fight in the election. He further asked to be kept informed if we learned anything more about the threats.
3. Comment: Coupled with the reports of a plot to overthrow the government, the rumors of an assassination attempt on the leader of the opposition indicates a new level of tension has been reached in the Jamaican election campaign.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800304–0256. Confidential; Niact Immediate.↩
- In telegram 4599 from Kingston, June 23, the Embassy reported that it had learned that “a group from the JDF and the JCF with a few civilians were planning an early morning attack before Monday (June 23).” The Embassy notified the Jamaican Government, although Ambassador Lawrence stated, “While I believe we did the right thing I was never under any illusion that the information we were presenting would not be turned to domestic political uses.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800304–0058)↩