^EMORA NDUH FORi General G. B. Era Vine, USKC
Office of the Secretary of Defence, The Pentagon Washington, D. C.
It Pursuant to the conversation ofctober, between tha undersigned and General Ersklne, the following Guatemalan background data la forwarded.
Durtha paat feu years Guatemala has become tha loading base of opcrstiona for Moscow- Influenced co muni an in Central America.
Ruled by powerful, anti-US President Arbens, supported by
a leftist coalition government, with all key positions below cabinet level thoroughly controlledoonunlst-domlnated bureaucracy, Guatomala nowerious threat to hemispheric solidarity and to our security ln tha Caribbean area.
li. asenlirlnltive, rural country the alia of Loulalana,opulation ofillion, Guatemala la currently engaged in en Intensely natlonallatlc prograa of progress colored by tha touchy, ant1-fare!fn inferiority complex of the "Banana Republic."
5- With laborarre degree organised accoi*dlncethods,and reform plan benefiting the peasantry, the present irbena gaverment commands substantial popular support ln eplte of evidence of opposition in the capital, Guatemala City
6. V'lth an Arty, the well-trained and quite well-equipped hard core of which is stationed ln the capital city, Ouatemala malntalna the balance of military pover In Central America. This, coupled with Communist subversive activities extending across the Cuaremalan bordare,atter of increasing concern toatoa. Including Nicaragua, Hondurasalvador.
7* The disturbing and subversive Influence of Cowwunlst-domlnated Ouateaala within the Pan-American orbit, as well as an aggressively hardening anti-US policy targeted directly against American interests in the country, bas recently caused tbe United States Oovernwent toosevhat firmer attitude towards Guatemala than heretofore.
8* Tt has been determined at the competent policy level of tbe Covernment that in order to isolate the target countrynd strengthen the neighboring countries vhlch are most Immediately threatened, military aid agreements of some dimension (unspecified, although presumably quite modest) should be concluded vith Nicaragua, Honduras andSalvador. Implementation of such aid programs should be expeditedriority basis and USnlsslons shouldto the countrlea in question to supervise deliveries of military equipment and offer technical assistance. Negotiations with Nicaragua are progressing. Preliminary steps to encoorare Honduras to follow suit are in progress, and El Salvador is expected to requestss soon ss it becopcb known that the others are scheduled to receive sId.
FRANK G. VlSHai Deputy Director (Plans)
WH/OHD/pw3
Revcitten:3
Orig.o addressee
H division*/'
EYRS"ONLY" file
Original document.
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