HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY Papers of NATHANIEL DAVIS MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION called on the Foreign Minister this evening by appointment, accompanied by Mr. Cunningham, for further discussion of the Costa Rica fisheries issue and to hand him a note informing hin of the Department proposal for the negotiation of a fishing treaty. When we had completed that subject said had one more nattar which had its very personal aspect. Mr. Cunningham got up and left and told the Foreign Minister that must inform him with very real regret that was about to leave Costa Rica. said that that morning had rem ceived a telegram from the Department informing me that the President desired my transfer to Hungary and instruct ing me to ask for an agrément for Joe Flack. At the same time handed the poreign Minister a note asking for the agrément and enclosing Joe biography.
The Foreign Minister made a gesture of disgust and said this did not suit the Costa Rican Government at all and he would immediately send a wire to Arabassador Esquivel asking him to protest to the State Department. replied that appreciated very much his feelings in the matter but also would appreciate it if he would not take this action. said the President of the United States had expressed his desire in the matter and felt that for the Costa Rican Government to ask for a reconsideration would be contra producente. said matters had gone too far for anything or that sort. then said that was sure he would find Mr. Flack a very a greeable associate. said had known him well for many years and was confident that he would be an excellent Ambassador who would fit very well into the Costa Rican scene.
Mr. Odio then asked whether Mr. Flack speaks Spanish and when replied that he spoke it fluently, Odio said. Woll, that makes it a little better. In view of my own very sketchy Spanish, this seened a little bit beside the point but at least gave him a chance to retreat grace.
fully.
Mr. Odio then said that my departure would be a blow to the whole Junta. They all liked me very well not as an Ambassador but as a man. grénned and said, Ah hah, then you don like me as an Ambassador. The Foreim Minister laughed and then said, Mr. Davis, you re always putting words into my mouth. This little bit of by play eased the tension considerably.
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