REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Woh2 By ML, NARA Cat: 24181. еп. 8286. THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONFIDENTIAL Becd. 22 ACTION APA enc No. 402 American Embassy ble wok San José, Costa Rica, De eember 18, 1947.
Subject: Current Political Situation INFO CD FC DCR QIZ ARMYenc NAVY THE HONORABLE THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WASHINGTON.
CIA 0 SIR: have the honor to report that during the past week no major political events have occurred which might have caused any appreciable change in the over all picture in connection with the presidential campaign. With elections less than two months away, the campaign has now reached a stage where it completely overshadows everything else in the political life of the country.
818. 00 12 number of minor events worthy of mention have 00curred, however, during the week under review, which should be mentioned for the reason that they contribute towards maintaining an up to date picture of the present confused and uncertain situation.
Confusion Regarding Registration of Candidates for the four tummy Parties.
Reference is made to the Embassy airgram 388 of November 4, 1947, as well as despatch No. 384 of December 5th, concerning the last minute registration of two 1tdummy political parties each by the two major contending factions. These registrations were made in an ill disguised attempt to secure majority control of every polling place in the country. The registration of these so called parties having been validated by the Courts, it became necessary, under article 123 of the Electoral Code, to file slates of candidates with the Electoral Register not later than two months prior to elections.
Elections being scheduled for February 8th, this made December 8th the deadline for such filing. The latter being a holiday, however, the Electoral Tribunal, in response to an inquiry from the Opposition Party ruled on December 2nd, that this filing might be done until p. on December 9th. Unfortunately, however, the Tribunal communicated this decision only to the Opposition and did not notify either the Director of the Electoral 081 81 CONFIDENTIAL ACTION COPY RETURN TO DC FILES WITHIN 14 DAYS, WITH NOTATION OF ACTION TA