DEKLASSE herty Stateletter Inh2 e; HR Cote 24 181 EMBASSY ZECKTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (San José, la data Rica, May 301944 No. 1474 Subject: Political Developments: 1) Pressure continues on Picado Administration to disassociate itself from the Vanguardia Party; 2) Relations between the Calderón Guardias and Manuel Mora continue to be close; PM 34 DIVISIUJI AMUNICATIONS RECORDS 3) Investigation of tire scandal may have important political repercussions; 1344 JUN 4) René Picado has adopted a more moderate attitude, 5) Picado Administration has survived its first financial test.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Ale Iso The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington, 24 Sir: have the honor to report that the Picado Administration continues to be under heavy pressure both from within and without to disassociate itself from Communism or the Vanguardia Party. While elements of the political opposition to President Picado are undoubtedly modifying their former intransigent attitude, their full cooperation will not apparently be forthcoming until President Picado makes some clear cut move in this direction.
As has been indicated in previous reports from the Embassy, the anti Communist attitude is by no means confined to political opponents of President Picado, but is also shared by many of his close advisers. For example, in a recent conversation, Foreign Minister Acosta stated frankly that he thought ex President Calderón Guardia had gone entirely too far in associating himself with the Vanguardia Party and implied that President Picado would have to take steps to extricate himself from this position. The Minister of Agriculture, Señor José Joaquin Peralta, is said to have a similar opinion. I understand that President Picado is thoroughly aware of this situation and of the views of his advisers. learned yesterday that he had not seen Vanguardia Party leader Manuel Mora for some time.
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