HONDURAN GOVERNMENT ASKS US AID AGAINST COMMUNIST THREAT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200300010-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2000
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: May 25, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/0 OR01443R00020030 10-
NSC BRIEFING NOTES 25 May 1954
HONDURAN GOVERNMENT ASKS US AID AGAINST COMMUNIST THREAT
I. The Honduran government on 23 May informed US embassy
it is unable to guarantee lives and properties of
nationals and foreigners against "the imminent threat
of international Communism." The Honduran note said
in part that
A. "The government:.;asks, supported by the Treaty of
Rio de Janeiro, cooperation of the United States
in facing dangers which threatens the Republic"
(see attachment on Rio treaty)
B. Specifically, Honduras requested the United States to:
1. Dispatch two warships to stand off the
threatened ports of Puerto Cortes, Tela, and
La Ceiba(on the strike bound north coast)
in readiness for any emergency.
2. Detain ships reported bringing additional
arms shipments to Guatemala from the Orbit.
C. US Ambassador Willauer endorsed Honduras' two specific re-
II. Honduran government evidently feels Communist threat quests.
is both internal and from neighboring Guatemala.
A. Internally--Communist agitation has prevented
settlement of 35,000-worker general strike paralyzing
north coast region for past three weeks. UK I
1. Communist target is control of two major
`0&ij
five other businesses.
Approved For Release 2000/ 30 : X- DP80R01443R000200300010-7
State Dept. declassification & release instructions on file
American owned fruit companies and at least
 Approved For Release 2000/08/30: CIA-RDP80R01443R000200300010-7
,rya sfc~Er
a. Overt strike leaders are under pressure
from hidden Communists who appear to be
the real leaders.
b. Communists are attempting to sabotage
one near settlement reached by non-
Communist strike leaders with Standard
Fruit Company.
C. Honduran Communist Party reported about
to be organized in Progreso, stronghold
of strikers,
2. The Communists appear to oppose any settlement
with the United Fruit Company., largest struck
firm, as long as government is third party
in negotiations,
3. Strikers becoming; defiant of the government and
said to be armed.
a. Hitherto the strikers well disciplined
and avoiding violence, but sioation
potentially explosive.
b. The government probably coukd not enforce
martial law.
4. Ambassador Willauer believes Communist aim is
to provoke strong government intervention for
subsequent propaganda exploitation.
Approved For Release 2000/08J3q?.'g8OROl443ROOO2OO3OOOlO-7
 Approved For Release 200/OS[RE DP80R01443R000200300010-7
B. Hondurans fear strikers may get Guatemalan help.
1. Arms reaching Guatemala on 15 May by SS Alfhem
has alarmed Hondurans.
a. Guatemalan troops reported at border by
Hondurans
1. Guatemala gives some confirmation of
move by statement its troops are
pursuing would be saboteurs of munitions
train from Puerto Barrios, near Honduran
border.
2. But overt Guatemalan invasion unlikely;
b. Greater danger is Guatemala's increased
capacity to arm Honduran strikers.
1. W eapons in hands of Honduran strikers
prior to 15 May were reportedly
Guatemalan.
Approved For Release 2000/113'0 a9'TP80R01443R000200300010-7