DECLASSIEU Authority Stateletter 12 aj MS NARA Date 2 98)
Enclosure to despuvu uvody dated May 2, 1944, from the Embassy, San José, Costa Rica.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Memorandum of Conversation with Señor René Picado Señor René Picado began the conversation by stating how gratified he and his brother had been with their reception in the United States. He thought that it had be an an experience of great value to his brother who had never been to the United States before. The brexity of their stay and their absorption in social activities, however, did not permit them to enter into detailed conversations.
Referring to their passage through Mexico, don René mentioned that the President elect had had a lengthy conversation with Soviet Ambassador Oumańsky, in which he presumed the question of Costa Rica establishing diplo matic relations with the Soviet Union was touched upon.
Don Rens added, however, that in his opinion there was no reason for Costa Rica to establish such relations with Russia, since this was a step which would irritate and alarm the other Central American Republics. In his opinion it was better to have friendly relations with the neighboring Republies than to curry favor with a distant nation such as Russia, with which no trade of any kind existed. He had advised his brother to let President Calderóm Guardia take the initiative in this question of Russian recognition. 21 Señor Picado then said he had a letter whion he wished to give me concerning an attempt to double CDOS hin made while he and his brother were out of the country. The text and translation of the letter are enclosed herewith.
It will be observed that the letter describes an attempt on April 26 on the part of the present Minister of Public Security Francisco Calderón Guardia, to place in the two military garrisons in San José four officers he grade of Lieutenant Colonel. The letter states that those of ficers, who carried orders signed by Señor Calderón Guardia, were not allowed to enter the barracks because they were known to be agitators, of dubious record and prominent members of the former Communist Party. The letter implies that this was a ruse on the part of the Calderón Guardias, in league with Manuel Mora, to place officers in their complete confidence and trust in key positions in the barracks in order that they could act in the event Señor Calderón Guardia should not be elected First Designate.
Don René said he was extremely concerned when, on his return, he learned of this development which in his mind was a clear cut attempt to double cross hin. At the same time he said he learned that the Calderón Guardias were furious when the commanders of the garrisons, obeying his orders, refused to allow the four alleged communist officers to enter.
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