SALE OF VANGUARDIA POPULAR PRINTING PRESS TO THE GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT

Created: 12/18/1953

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

Printing Press to the Guatemalan Government

Place Acquired:

Evaluation:

Date of Information:oc3

| Date3

Date of Report: 3

A*

Para, 3: Costa Rican with access to government flies (B) Appraisal of content Documentary,

B.

Par if: American businessman resident in Costa Rica (C) from an individual with access to Communist correspondence Appraisal of content Documentary.

C.

Par St American college graduate resident ln Costa Rica (B) from an individual in highest Vanguardia Popular circles (B) Appraisal of content 2.

3 Victor M. QUESADA C. submitted afor Reexport License to the Commercial Section ofRican Ministry of Finance. The request was for tho exportation

INOTYPES NO.UPLEX press, and accessories,0, to the Government of Guatemala, eendhotostats of the original documents)

he export license was granted toa notation that the cost of packing and freighting would be paid

the Exporter. (Attachmenthotostat of the original ort license).

imilar license was issued by the BancoCosta Rica, completing the legal requirements forAttachment Ho.hotostatic copy of the originalthe reverse of the Banco Central export license is the datatho source of the printing press and tho originalfor lt as follows:

"Application File No.ff5 (U5 crates) Application File No,f5bill of lading) No.o. Ifnvoice3 ofnd Invoice (additional)3 ofoth from John Griffithsnc, of the USA."

(See attachment No.hotostatic copy of the original document.)

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I*. On3 Vlcontcnown Communist who has been living in Mexico, wrote the following letter to Victor MORA Valvordc, President of tho Partido Vanguardie Popular (Popular Vanguardosta Rlcen CommunistP)

Poloco Hotel.

3

Sr. Lie. Don

Manual Mora Valvorde

San Joso, Costa Rico

Remembered Manuel:

elieve that you will lend me all your aid despite your silenco. m supremely hoppy that the sale of tho press here0 dollars, now completely paid, has boon accomplished, according to what they tell me in tho Office (Secretario) of Publicity of the Presidency.

m pleased, but see to it that youeave mo hanging here. m not even insisting on payment of tho note which you signed for meo three years ago, andave hero before me. ittlo good faith (on your port) will leave mo ootisflod. It would be enough If you or Kduardo would write me urgently concerning your decision, especially in relation to0 colones which Hutt denlos mo because he soya you are the ones who owo them to me.

Don't forget to write mo atow return.

Your affectionate,

/s/ Vicente Saene

(Attochraonthotostatlc copy of the original letter)

5. During the week3 the VP received the money which was owed to tho Party for the solo of the printing pross to tho Government of Guatemala. Source did not know tho exact amount

received by the Party, but estimated it0 Of this sumemoins in tho party treasury, s'nee most of tho money wos used to

BSUCCESS

pay outstanding debts, some of which dated from beforeevolution, some of the members of the Political Commission, especially Rodulfo GUZMAN and Arnoldoave expressed surprise that so little remains of the money and have voiced suspicions that CUESADA, who handled the sole, may have cheated theeoo'rt revealing the disposition of the money will probably be made" by Mario SOLIS, the Party treasurer.

FIELD COMMENT:

Tho documents mentioned lnndicate (if-the Bancoigures are correct) that the equipment was purchasedotal, leaving QUESADA and therofit of Even after deducting onor costs of packing and shipping, thiset profit of more The HUTT mentionod in SAENZ' lottor to Manuel MORA (pars Eduordo HUTT, to whom SAENZ wrote from Moxico inequesting0 colones. Tho Victor mentioned in SAENZ' letter is Victor MORA Volverde, brother of Manuol MORA Valverde, and Secretary General of the VP. The profit foctor, ond obvious connection of tho VP with the sale of tho printing equipment

appears to provide clrcurastanciel evidence that the Guatemalan Government may be indirectly subsidizing tho Costa Rican Communists, who apporently have been eblo to reestablish their gredlt by paying of their debts.

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PP.SUCCESS

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Report Ho:y_ ocalBo:

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By copy to: Wuah Ouat

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Orally to: None

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SECURjfY INfOKMAHON

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PKPARTAMENTO DE COMERCIO EXTKRIOFQ. 3

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Nombi* del exportadar.-

UCENCIA DE EX^ORTACION

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solicitud;re licencia de exportacion

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4^Sofflbre del Cod signaling tfftXtrnc

Cantidad

y Descripcion del Articulo

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Valor Unidad . Valor Total

J onto. Inventor la de de lade Impranta que voy a

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Original document.

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