REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Mahe y me NARI Date 2498 Despatch no. 63, CONFIDENTIAL February 10, 1949, San José, Costa Rica American Embassy, Page After explaining that the first information he had regarding the capitulation was given him by the Mexican Ambassador when he was called to participate in some of the conversations between representatives of the govern ment and the rebel forces, Mora said the Mexican Ambassador added that the diplomatic corps duly authorized by the governments which it represented would guarantee the fulfilment of the arrangements. Later heard these same words repeated by the Ambassadors of the United States, Panama, Chile, and the Vatican. As the Department is aware, there have been persistent efforts by Mora and by the Picado Calderonista group to claim that the arrangements for the capitulation and subsequent steps were guaranteed by the group representing the diplomatic corps although this was never the case since the group had acted solely to bring about possible contact and a method of discussing arrangements between the two contending sides.
1818. 00 Mora went on to say he objected to Mr. Ojeda since the capitulation was not justifiable as the government maintained control over practically the entire country only to receive the reply that the diplomatic corps had acted at the request of the President of the Republic and were not called upon to. enter into a discussion of the reasons for the decision taken by Picado and, moreover, that the capitulation had already been arranged. Mora said he was informed that he had been called, as director of the Vanguardia Popular 1to request that digarm my party, that if should refuse to do so it would create a very serious, situation as more than one power! felt it had the right to believe Costa Rica was controlled by the Communist Party. was requested, moreover, to give very serious consideration to the fact. Pof the proximity of Costa Rica to the Panama Canal. The accuracy of these last statements cannot now be determined locally as the Mexican Ambassador left. Costa Rica some months ago and is understood to be in Mexico. However, the Charge of the Mexican Embassy told an officer of the Embassy that he is had immediately sent a copy of Mora letter to Lic. Ojeda and it was possible the latter might make some reply. In his general exuberance the Mexican Ambassador may have added the remarks attributed to him to many another argumont. with which he undoubtedly bombarded Mora. Certainly. made at all, they were made only by the Mexican Ambass.
ador and did not represent any authorized statements of the group representing the diplomatic corps.
In his real as a patriotic Coata Rican Manuel Mora leta himaals be exceeded by no one and stated in his lottar tq Ulate that the decision of his party had been further influenced by fear that should the internal atruggle. be continued the sacred s011 of Costa Rica might be Invaded.
CONFIDENTIAL