STATUS OF U.S. MILITARY MISSION IN GUATEMALA

Created: 11/19/1953

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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OA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM

RELEASEAS SANITIZED '

MEMORANDUM FORj The Deputy Director of. Military Mission ln Ouateaala

With reference to the question which you mentioned to rae after lunch today as having been raised with you by the Secretary ofave given further consideration to this matter and have discussed it with Colonel J. C. Kingfollowingrief statement of our conclusions and recommeiioations.

It would be undesirable for. military mission presently in Guatemala to be withdrawn frompreferable that this mission in either its presentlightly reconstituted form remainprovided that it should prove possible for this mission to carry out the following assignments:

the maintenance of daily contact withof the Guatemalan military forces, and withoutany covert activitiesompromieing character, to observeat regular and frequent intervals on the general moraleof the Ouatemalan armed forces toward the preaent/The channel for such reporting could be determinedstudy, but it might be desirable for this information toto the Ambassador, and by him made available for "hisandut actually to be forwarded viaof communication./

taking advantage of normal contacts andranking representatives of the Ouatemalan armed forces, toto them selected statements and observations best calculatedthe morale and shake the faith of the Guatemalan armedthe present Guatemalan regime. /Et should be relatively simplethe type and kind of statement and observation to bein this manner and for this purpose ino avoidleast minimize the risk of charges that the military missionin improper activities. For example,ightympathetic and regretful note lnpointing out that while programs ofare being authorized for neighboring states, it hasfor theo to obtain any Washington support forand suggestions. They could speculate that thethis difficult matter might result from high levelover the policies and official declarations of thegovernment whioh are seemingly hostile to the United States.7

*at this time

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One of the most important type3 of information which we reouire is information concerning the morale and attitude of the Ouatemalan armed forces and this would be the most natural and ready source of such If the contacts between the members of the U. S. military mission and their opposite numbers were as close as they could and should be, it should be possible to observe from time to time the results of other activities and efforts contemplated under the projjsct upon the thinking and feeling of the Guatemalan military, including particularly the degree of firmness and loyalty of the armed forces. In no other way would it be as easy to observe and follow this vital aspect of the entire matter.

3- J. C. King has underscored the point that if the. military mission is to be withdrawn, this is the wrong time to do so. Itsat the present time wouldubstantially empty gesture and would create no particular reverberation. (It would be an almosttap on the wrist if done now.) The impact of the withdrawal would be much greater if this were doneater time and after the other aspects of the psychological build-up had gained momentun and begun to have effect.

U. In order to gain the benefits above referred to, two or three steps would probably be required, via:

present personnel of the mission shouldiew to determining their competence andengage in the two lines of activity recommended. Our Stationexpected here toward the end of the week and, we can get afrom him on the characteristics and qualifications of theof the military mission. It might be desirable tomore qualified officers for present members of the missioninstances.

any case, it would be necessary for the Chief of thebe recalled to Washingtonhorough briefing and cut-in to

the extent necessary (which would not have to be too much) to enable him to give direction to the efforts of his staff. Presumably this briefing would be given by the appropriate military authorities, possibly by General Brskine or under his aegis.

(Signed) Frank G. ffisner

Deputy Director (Plans)

cc: CAra

Original document.

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