HONDURAS ASKS US AID AGAINST COMMUNIST THREAT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000300020017-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 19, 2002
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: May 27, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

XDURAS ASKS US AID AGAINST COMMUNIST
THREAT
Honduras says cannot guarantee life
unism. " Note asks US to:
and property against "international Com-
A. Cooperate with Honduras, under
Rio Treaty, "in facing danger
B. Dispatch two warships to
off Honduran north coast,
C. Detain ships bringing Orbit arms
to Guatemala.
II. Honduras sees threat as both internal
and from Guatemala.
A. Internally Communists exploiting
general strike.
P
1. Communists seek to control
35 , 000 employees of two US-owned
fruit companies etc.
2. Overt strike leaders domina-
ted by hidden Communist leaders.
Approved:fo-Release ~79R00890A000300,020017-4
 Communists sabotaging non-.
Counit attempt at settlement
Standard Fruit Company.
4. londuran Communist Party
reportedly being organized at
Progreso, striker stronghold.
Communists oppose government
participation in United Fruit
negotiations.
Strikers hitherto well
disciplined, but situation ex-
plosive.
a. Strikers said to be
ikers becoming de-
Ambassador Willau
could not eafor
fiant of government.
C, hover . ut probably
Communists want strong government
intervention for propaganda
(M SE-r
0Q. 4 ?RE T QQ890A0 U 60020017-4
Approved For Release 2
 pp ~o"vecl p eTease %6>3~~ ':-CIA-RbP79R0080OA00030002001 4
AMIN
JIM6
Ric Treaty (officially the Inter-
A e ici meaty of Reciprocal Assistance)
s?gnad 1047. Now , 20 parties (Guatemala
not full party)
A. Action under treaty must be ap-
proved by 14 of the parties, and re-
1l. 14d gran request for US help under
trotty b" we precedent.
A& Failing armed attack, request for
help goes first to Council of OAS. In
case of attack, self defense and in-
dividual aid permissible, if accompanied
by request to OAS.
B. Honduras may think present request
an extension of self-defense under
Approved For Releas
0A000300020017.4
 Approved. For Release: 2002/08/21 CIA-RDP79R00890A000300020017-4
med by 15 May i
to Guatemala.
Guatemalan troops reported
rder by Hondurans
Guatemalans c
pursuing railroad saboteva
near border.
b. Overt Guatemalan in-
vasion unlikely.
Greater danger i
capacity to arm Hondur
TO
Weapons In hands of
duran strikers before
said to be Guatei
Approved For Release 2002/08/21 :CIA-R ~Ft890A00030Q020174
;xp of
Honduras fe
vention