821.00/11–249: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Colombia
347. At request Asst Secy Miller Dept has and is continuing consider suggestion tactful multilateral public appeal to Colom polit leaders to put aside partisanship and stop bloodshed. He suggested joint statement by Presidents or other leaders NR OARS including Braz, Mex, Chile, Arg, Cuba, Bol, Urug and Ecuador remarking upon Coloms democratic tradition and expressing confidence solution can be found present difficulties. Also suggested possibility Pres Ecuador1 might take lead. No fixed idea whether US shld join in such statement if made. He suggests negative attitude our part may subject us to criticism by US public.
Dept advised Asst Secy, now in Lima, yesterday we feel multilateral approach probably premature but matter receiving continuous evaluation. In two hour conversation with Zuleta2 latter expressed view negots likely be resumed. He firmly convinced Army will not be [Page 619] subverted and will maintain order in cities as long as Pres remains constitutional.
Advise Dept urgently repeating Lima for Miller ur opinion usefulness proposed multilateral statement particularly whether needed this stage and whether it wld have beneficial results.
Rptd Lima for Miller.