U.S. Policy On S. American Revolts

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30082, 16 March 1963, Page 11

U.S. Policy On S. American Revolts

(Al .2 Press Association—Lop(/nont, WASHINGTON, March 15. The United States will send military help to any Latin American nation threatened by a Communist insurrection.

This assurance was given by an Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Edwin M. Martin, in testimony to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Latin America. The testimony was made public yesterday. Mr Martin, the State Department’s specialist in Latin-American affairs, said United States policy was to help any Government that

asked help under the Punta del Este agreement of 1961 in meeting collectively the threat of Communist subversion

“Our basic position is that any Government which asks us for help in this matter will receive help.” Mr Martin said in reply to questioning. “We are prepared militarily in anticipation of a political decision to give it.” The sub-committee yesterday recommended that the United States be ready to use military force, if necessary. in such a situation, and to act unilaterally if national security was involved In its report, the House group urged the Administration to push for collective action by the .Organisation of American States to curb Communist subversion and traffic in the hemisphere and to clamp a complete diplomatic and economic quarantine on Cuba. U.P.I. said that Centra) American presidents were considering an appeal to President Kennedy for prompt action by the O.A.S to fight Communist subversion. Qualified sources said that the Presidents of £1 Salvador. Honduras. Guatemala and Nicaragua strongly favoured immediate measures to isolate and overthrow Dr. Fidel Castro’s Cuban Government, but Costa Rica and Panama were known to be waiting to hear Washington’s views. The Heads of State hope to get United States support for an emergency conference of the hemisphere’s Foreign Ministers soon after Mr Kennedy starts talks in Costa Rica soon with the six Latin American nations.