ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO WEAKEN PRO-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OF GUATEMALA

Created: 8/1/1953

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

INTERIM STATUS REPORT EcoSeaftc"Prograa to Weaken Pro-Communist Government of Guatemala

have determined the most vulnerable aspect of the Guatemalan economic structure to be its dependence on coffeeain source of In this respect, we have undertaken exploratory talks with thestaff of RQM/BIS and arrivedesearch outline designed tothe pertinent information required to evaluate operational (Attachment A)

The exploratory talks and resulting outline have been followed upemorandum from CWHIS requesting the necessary research. (Attachment B)

Clearance is being initiated on the governing official of one ofs largest coffee distributers for ourposes of consultation and possible operational use.

U. Priorities have been assigned to certain aspects of the above entioned research project. First priority has been given to personality information on key persons for whom clearances may be necessary forpurposes. Second priority has been given to seasonal aspects of

harvesting, handling, and distribution of the Guatemalan coffee crop

in order touide to the timing and phasing of research,and operations.

A preliminary report of several possible approaches toGuatemala of its coffee crop income was prepared on our request by CEW/ATO, Training Division expert on Economic Warfare. (Attacrunentis currently preparing additions to this

WH has assigned its economic officer to coordinate the Sudy, ECD hasualified staff officer to assist in the programand OIS has assigned four members of its research staff to the coffee study. The Economic Warfare Training Officer of ATD isto the research and acting in an advisory capacity, and PM/AM has assigned an officer to collect information and data on shipping companies and volume of shipping available to the Guatemalan coffee trade.

Success of complicated economic operat ions depends on current and absolutely accurate information, collection of wi ich requires considerable time. The OIS research panel has estimated one month will be necessary to gaiter the background information we have requested, with the provision that they will provide informal interim reports, and will service rush requests for special items as needed. Planning and evaluation will re-

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quire an additional two to four weeks, and operational clearances onneeded in the operation will take approximately three months flora date of initiation.

8. Several operational proposals are under consideration, butbe fully developed or evaluated until sufficient backgroundis collected. Specific attention will be given to possibleeffects. nationals. firms, of the variousproposals.

1nation

Original document.

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