UCULADOMIU Authority Stateletter Inhaz 8: ML3 Cate 24981 EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA file No. 2112 San José, Costa Rica November 20, 1944. ميتل Subject: Political; Opposition Consolidates its Forces; Cost of Living Becoming Political Issue.
SECRET stration temalara e les sucher nur The Honorable The Secretary of State Washington, 6441944 ple Sir: With reference to the Embassy despatch No. 2049 of November 6, 1944, in which was reported President Picado attempts to promote national unity in Costa Rica, have the honor to report that those elements of the opposition that have remained unreconciled to the Administration have been rallying their forces to present a the Government. The unhappy economic situation in which Costa Rica finds itself is also beginning to have an effect on the political situation, for there is increasing public criticism of the high cost of living here, and increasing demands on the Government to take effective steps to remedy the situation.
818. 06 11. 044 24 at 11 810ss As reported in the despatch under reference, the President call for national unity met with widespread approval, with the exception of what might be called the die hard sector of the opposition.
The group of capitalists with whom Picado reached an understanding have let it be known that they are pleased with the results of their efforts. One of the organizers of the group, however, has expressed his fears to a member of the Embassy staff that the results of the President radio speech were not sufficiently widely publicized, and that for this reason another manifestation of support for the President is presently under consideration. According to this source, the Government is somewhat disturbed because of the fact that LA TRIBUNA, through which medium its propaganda and announcements are made public, has such a limited circulation in comparison with the DIARIO, which is the mouthpiece for the opposition, that the country sees but one side of the picture. In this connection it is interesting to note that the owner editor of LA TRIBUNA, General Pinaud, has recently shown a rather irritable attitude toward the Government, He has complained in his columns that there have been unnecessary delays in the distribution D 818. 00)11 2044 ISO