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Guatemala - Earthquake (1)
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Guatemala - Earthquake (1)
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Earthquakes
Disaster relief
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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder "Guatemala - Earthquake (1)" of the
National Security Adviser. NSC Latin American Affairs Staff: Files for Latin America at
the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
a
GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKE
EVENT
A major earthquake occurred about 80 miles northeast of Guatemala
City at 3:02 a.m. (local time) February 4, 1976. The U.S. National
Earthquake Center reported the magnitude registered 7.5 on the
Richter scale.
CASUALTIES
As of 8:00 p.m. local Washington time, there were still no official
reports on casualties in Guatemala City, although reports of deaths
in outlying areas are now 1,100 dead and 200 injured in five com-
munities. These are clearly fragmentary reports.
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED AND ACTION TAKEN
The following help has been requested:
(a) 500 family tents
(b) 500 pints of blood plasma
(c) Tetracycline and penicillin for 5000 people
(d) Tetanus anti-toxin
(e) One 100-bed military hospital
(f) One 15 KW generator
(g) Laboratory for the 200-bed packaged disaster hospital (PDH)
previously sent to Guatemala (unrelated to this disaster)
(h) Operating room sterilizer
(i) Water pump and tank for the PDH
(j) Supplies for first aid stations
(k) Specialist personnel: a seven-man Disaster Area Survey
Team, an epidemiologist, a disaster emergency water advisor,
and two disaster relief officers from AID/FDRC
(1) Twelve 3000 gallon rubber water storage tanks
Of the above items, the tents, medicine, generator, water tanks
and water pump are being airlifted - we expect today - from the
AID/FDRC relief stockpile in Panama. DOD has been requested to
provide the blood plasma, anti-toxin and operating room sterilizer
from their stocks in Panama. Airlift of the 100-bed hospital
(with a staff of 200) will commence beginning today probably from
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. The Embassy has withdrawn the request for a
laboratory; they will use one of the existing Guatemalan hospital
labs to service the PDH as it becomes operational. The supplies
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for first aid stations are awaiting specific selection from Guatemala
as medical people arrive and can identify priority needs. All of the
personnel except the water specialist are either in country or enroute.
The disaster water specialist, who has experience in previous earth-
quake disasters, has been requested from DOD and, when approved,
will arrive later today.
FUNDING
$525,000 have been obligated from foreign disaster relief funds so
far, but this will not fully pay for all costs expected. Deployment
and return of the military hospital, for example, may reach one
million dollars.
DISASTER OPERATIONS
The Disaster Relief Coordination Center has been activated and staff
have been continuously on duty since shortly after the disaster was
first reported. Telephone traffic has been heavy, particularly
with requests to special consular services staff for information
on family and friends in Guatemala.
GERALD a LIBRARY FORD
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Conversation with Amembassy Guatemala
TIME:
Approximately 1:00 a.m., Thursday, February 5, 1976
I spoke with Ambassador Meloy, DCM George Andrews and Political Officer
Robert Snyder. Ambassador Meloy said that the Government of Guatemala
has now informed our Embassy that the most pressing and severe problem
is the destruction of the water system in Guatemala City. The GOG
has asked for our help on an immediate basis. Water purification
equipment and some means of distributing palatable drinking water is
what is being requested.
Colonel Waller of the military group was at the airport this morning
when President Laugerud landed from his inspection tour. The President
wanted to speak with the Colonel, but had to leave before he could do
so. The President asked Minister of Defense Lucas to speak with
Colonel Waller on behalf of the President. General Lucas asked for
our help with water purification equipment and tank trucks to deliver
the water.
Ambassador Meloy has asked the mayor of the city, who has told the
Embassy independently that it will take about a year before the water
delivery system can be repaired.
Ambassador Meloy asked for a sanitary engineer to be located and sent
to Guatemala immediately. He must be capable of surveying the situation
quickly and accurately and providing immediate recommendations as to
how the water supply problem can be alleviated.
We told Ambassador Meloy that we had just such a person in mind, a
Captain Wehman, who is in the U.S. Army, stationed in Texas. This
was acceptable to Ambassador Meloy, and we have since asked the
Department of Defense to make him available to us.
Ambassador Meloy is taking General Lucas's request for water purification
and delivery equipment as an official request of the Government, and
recommends that we do everything possible to accede to it. He
emphasized that the need is immediate and could become desperate. He
is seeing the President today at 10:00 a.m.
We suggested to Ambassador Meloy that 55 gallon drums with large
plastic bags as liners have been used successfully to transport
drinking water in other emergency situations. We suggested he
begin to look around for drums and heavy plastic bags immediately.
FORD
We told him that we would immediately begin to investigate the
possibility of providing water purification and delivery equipment.
A.
We needed to know as soon as possible the extent of the damage to
BERALD
the water system; was it the city delivery pipes that were broken,
the pumping stations themselves, the purification system, the
reservoirs or sisterns, or the equipment for channeling water into
- 2 -
the reservoirs and sisterns. The answers to these questions would
determine what type of equipment would be needed. The Embassy
indicated it would try to obtain this information as quickly as
possible.
I also spoke with Colonel Waller who told me that there was water
in some of the sisterns, but he had no idea as to how much water
was available and the extent of damage to the whole system. He
said the Guatemalan military has approximately 6 600-gallon, two-
wheel trailers in Guatemala City that could be used to deliver
water. These are to be attached to a jeep or truck. Colonel
Waller thought there were an additional 20 of these trailers in
Panama.
We told the Embassy that we would immediately begin to staff out
this request and would treat it as a matter of the highest priority.
LOK-
Mark J. Platt
ARA/CEN
FORD
GERALD ?
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MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
SUBJECT: Situation Report on Guatemala
PARTICIPANTS: Ambassador Meloy, AmEmbassy Guatemala
Mark Platt, ARA/CEN
James Lockard, LA/CEN
George Beauchamp, FDRC
Date and Time: February 4, 1976, 7:00 p.m.
We contacted the Embassy at 7:00 p.m. and spoke with Ambassador Meloy,
DCM George Andrews, USAID Mission Director Edward Coy, and Chief of
Political Section George Jones.
The Embassy stated that as of the time of the conversation, they had had
no information on any Americans injured or killed in the earthquake.
The Embassy added that preliminary estimates are that some 10,000 Guatemalans
were injured in the quake and in the after_shocks. Many of the injured have
already been treated but there is a need for additional facilities.
The Embassy reported that as of the time of the conversation the city's
water system was inoperable. Electricity is functioning in Zones 9, 13 and 14.
Medical Equipment
The Embassy has received a series of questions about the type of medical
equipment needed that we had phoned down to our Embassy in Honduras. Our
Embassy in Honduras passed this information to Guatemala through their high
frequency radio network. This was done as we were unable to reach the Embassy
in Guatemala by phone.
The Embassy said that what they need are two 100-bed hospitals complete with
military personnel, water supply, generating equipment and medicine. They want
these hospitals delivered as quickly as possible and did not want to wait
until the disaster team from Panama arrived. The Embassy said the Mil Group
had been told through their own channels that two such hospitals were available
at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
The Embassy said that the four hospitals in Guatemala were all full and were
treating most of the injured on an out-patient basis. The Embassy estimated
that they would need the 100-bed units for one to two months. The Embassy
also said that it may be necessary to break up the hospitals into 50-bed
units to send to outlaying areas such as Chimaltenanego. Also, they might
have to send one of the 100-bed units out to the provinces as a complete unit.
FORD
Package Disaster Hospitals (PDHs)
&
We advised the Embassy that the State of Alabama and the Pan American
GERALD
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Development Foundation (PADF) are each trying to get another PDH.
2
said
The Embassy /did not appear interested in obtaining these units at this
time because they anticipate difficulties in assembling and staffing
and in providing fuel, water, and so forth, on such short notice.
The PDH that had already been delivered to Guatemala (by PADF in November)
has been brought up to Guatemala City. The generating equipment, medicines,
cots, pumps, water storage, and drugs and X-ray film are all lacking. The
Embassy asked for this equipment to be sent to Guatemala as quickly as possible.
First-Aid Stations
We asked the Embassy whether or not First-Aid Stations and teams were needed.
The Embassy replied that for the time being it would be best to stick to
hospitals, as flooding the country with too many men and too much equipment
would only complicate matters.
Shelter
Ambassador Meloy emphasized that what is most needed are shelters for the
homeless people. He added that food is not a problem as there seems to be
enough.
Timing of Assistance
We discussed with the Embassy the feasibility of sending in one of the 100-bed
hospitals as quickly as possible and begining to process the second hospital upon
receiving a bit more information as to the actual extent of damages and
injuries. Ambassador Meloy agreed to an initial shipment of one 100-bed hospital.
Hotels
The Embassy added that the E1 Camino Real Hotel and the Biltmore Hotel, both
near the Embassy, were severely damaged. The Camino Real was closed. The
Biltmore will remain open tonight only. None of the other major hotels were
badly damaged.
Medicines
The supply of plasma is critically short. With the loss of electricity, the
supply available in the local blood banks will soon spoil. Anti-biotics are
also necessary, including penicillin.
Condition of Airport
The Embassy stated that, contrary to earlier reports, the head of Pan Am's
Guatemala operation has told them that Pan Am was able to move everyone out
of the city who wanted to go. We suggested to the Embassy that they inform
the GOG that it will be necessary to augment their airport personnel to
handle the influx of traffic for the relief effort. The Embassy said that
FORD
a Colonel Fuentes will be in charge at the airport and they will pass on
&
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this information to him. The US Mil Group personnel have all moved their
offices to the airport. We told the Embassy that if additional US personnel
GERALD
to help operate the airport were needed, they could be made available.
3
The Embassy added that the control tower is operating on emergency power
and has limited range of communication.
Embassy
The Embassy said that they are also on emergency power and have some 40 hours
of fuel left for the generator. They hoped to replenish their supply in the
morning. If more fuel is needed, they will let us know.
Ambassador's Residence
un-
The Ambassador's Residence has been severely damaged and is inhabitable.
The Ambassador is staying with the DCM for the time being.
Visit of FDRC Staff and US Geological Survey Team
The Ambassador gave permission for two members of the FDRC staff -- Carson
Crocker and Brian Moss -- to come to Guatemala tomorrow. He also gave
permission for the team of technicians from the US Geological Survey to
come to monitor their equipment.
Highway Infrastructure
We inquired about the need for Bailey bridges to restore major highways.
We reminded the Embassy that it had taken quite a considerable effort and
time to send a Bailey bridge to Guatemala several years ago when the Pan
American Highway was made inoperable at the time of another disaster.
It is believed that the unit provided several years ago is still in the
country and might be useable. The Embassy reported that until the assessment
team completes its analysis of the highway network, they cannot report on
whether additional bridges might be needed.
Drafted:ARA/CEN:MJPlatt;JPLockard
FORD
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2
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
February 5, 1976
TO:
MARGIE VANDERHYE
FROM: MARY BROWNELL YAGB
Please run these by Brent. The letter to
President Laugerud has been coordinated with
Doug Smith. When approved, we will ask
State to transmit it by cable.
FORD LIBRARY & OERALD
PRESS STATEMENT
GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKE
The President today sent the following message to
President Laugerud of Guatemala:
Dear President Laugerud:
On behalf of the people and Government of the
United States I extend to you and the brave people of
Guatemala our deepest sympathy over the loss of life
and suffering caused by yesterday's disastrous earth-
quake. The close bonds of friendship between our two
countries makes your loss the more deeply felt.
You may be assured of our commitment to cooperate
with you to bring prompt relief and assistance to the
areas affected so that human suffering may be eased and
recovery from the devastation speeded.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
The President was informed promptly of the earthquake
which hit the Guatemala area yesterday. In order to assist
the Guatemalan effort of relief and rehabilitation in stricken
areas, a Disaster Area S urvey Team was dispatched to
GERAND a FORD LIBRARY
2
Guatemala yesterday and other specialists will be arriving from
the U.S. today to help with the relief effort. Temporary
housing, medicines, and water purification equipment are being
airlifted from the disaster relief stockpile in Panama. An Army
hospital including its equipment and staff will be airlifted today
from the U.S. and is expected to be in operation tomorrow
morning. A half million dollars has been obligated from
disaster relief funds, though more will probably be necessary.
The Disaster Relief Coordination Center at the Department of
State has been in operation continually since first reports of
the disaster were received.
The President has asked to be kept informed of develop-
ments and continues to follow the situation closely.
a FORD LIBRARY
BACKGROUND
GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKE
A major earthquake occurred about 80 miles northeast of
Guatemala City at 3:02 a.m. (local time) February 4. The U.S.
National Earthquake Center reported the magnitude registered 7.5 on
the Richter Scale. Reported numbers of deaths and injuries are
varying widely and official figures are not yet available, but enough
is known to indicate that the tragedy is of significant proportions.
U.S. Government Assistance
A seven-man Disaster Area Survey team has been sent to
Guatemala from Panama to help assess the relief needs. An
epidemiologist is en route and a disaster emergency water advisor
is expected to arrive in Guatemala later today to help assess the
damage to the water system. Two Disaster Relief officers from the
AID Federal Disaster Relief Center also will be arriving in Guatemala
today to help with the emergency relief effort.
Five hundred family tents, tetracycline and penicillin for 5,000
people, a 15 kilowatt generator, 12 3,000-gallon rubber storage
tanks and a water pump are being airlifted from the Disaster Relief
stockpile in Panama.
A 100-bed Army hospital with a staff of 200 will be airlifted
FORD
today from the U.S. and is expected to be in operation tomorrow
"
GERALD
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morning.
2
The Department of Defense has been requested to provide 500
pints of blood plasma, tetanus antitoxin, and an operating room
sterilizer from their stocks in Panama.
$525,000 has been obligated from foreign disaster relief funds
thus far, but this will not fully pay for all relief costs expected
(deployment and return of the military hospital, for example, may
cost $1 million).
The Disaster Relief Coordination Center has been in operation
continuously since shortly after first reports of the disaster were
received.
There have been no reports of injured U.S. citizens in
Guatemala.
GERALD ? LIBRARY FORD
3
MEMORANDUM
745
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
-
LOW =
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
INFORMATION
February 6, 1976
of
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT M
SUBJECT:
New Guatemala Earthquake
We have just been informed that a new earthquake shook Guatemala
at 1:00 this afternoon. Its strength has been registered as between
5.7 and 6 on the Richter Scale, so it is somewhat less severe than
the first quake of 7.5 but nevertheless of major proportions.
The Embassy premises were evacuated by the staff but we understand
all personnel are safe.
GERALD ? LIBRARY june
CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
745
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEETING ON GUATEMALAN EARTHQUAKE ASSISTANCE EFFORT
Friday, February 6, 1976
3:15 p.m. (10 minutes)
The Oval Office
CD
From: Brent Scowcroft
I.
PURPOSE
To underline your personal concern over the tragic loss of life and
serious damage in Guatemala and to emphasize your personal interest
and involvement in the U.S. Government relief effort.
II.
BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
A.
Background: A majorearthquake struck in the early hours
Wednesday, February 4, in Guatemala and the neighboring
countries of Honduras, El Salvador and southern Mexico.
A message was sent Thursday from you to Guatemalan President
Laugerud expressing our sympathy to the Guatemalan people and
assuring him of our commitment to help bring prompt relief and
assistance to the affected areas. Ron Nessen made a statement
on your continuing interest in the relief effort at this morning's
press briefing.
The epicenter of the quake was in Guatemala near Guatemala
City. While damage in neighboring countries has occurred, it is
substantially less serious than that in Guatemala and no loss of
life has yet been reported outside of that country. In Guatemala
deaths are now being estimated at figures as high as 6,000.
Over 40,000 are believed injured. Guatemala City was hard hit,
with the lower-income residential areas suffering particularly
heavy damage and high incidence of injury and death. Outside
the city, casualty figures are much higher, with whole villages
having been destroyed and as many as 2,000 persons killed in a
single location. Communications and transportation have been
disrupted and reports from the outlying areas are still
fragmentary.
FOHD
A
GERALD
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CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
lab 7/19/2002
CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
2
Immediate relief needs are for medical facilities, water and
temporary housing. Over the longer term, the critical need
will be for more permanent housing and reconstruction
assistance.
The U.S. Government reacted rapidly to early reports of the
disaster, and substantial assistance has already been provided
or is en route. $1 million has thus far been obligated from
foreign disaster relief funds for the effort, but more will
probably be needed. A seven-man Disaster Area Survey Team
was sent to Guatemala from Panama on Wednesday to help
assess the relief needs. Additionally we have sent an
epidemiologist to help with potential health problems and a
disaster emergency water adviser has been examining damage to
the water system in Guatemala City.
A 100-bed Army hospital with a staff of 200 is being airlifted by
16 C-141 flights from the U.S. and should be able to begin
functioning in Guatemala today. We have also airlifted from the
Disaster Relief stockpile in Panama temporary housing in the form
of family tents, medicine, an electrical generator, water storage
tanks and a water pump. Additionally, we have sent blood plasma
and other medical equipment and supplies.
The State/AID Disaster Relief Coordination Center organized a
Task Force which has been operating continuously since first
reports of the disaster were received. The Task Force is
coordinating the U.S. assistance effort and is maintaining
contact with private voluntary organizations which also are
providing assistance. Private organizations involved in the
assistance effort include the Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services,
CARE, and Church World Services.
There have been no reports of injured U.S. citizens in
Guatemala City or elsewhere in the country to date.
B.. Participants: Daniel Parker, Administrator of AID and
Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance;
Herman Kleine, Deputy AID Administrator for
Latin America;
Georgiana Sheldon, Deputy Special Coordinator for
International Disaster Assistance; and
Brent Scowcroft
CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
GERALD
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CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
3
C. Press Arrangements:
Press photo session. Meeting to be
announced.
III.
TALKING POINTS
(At opening of meeting)
1.
I am concerned over reports I have been reading about the
situation in Guatemala following the earthquake there
Wednesday. So I asked you to come over to give me a more
detailed briefing about the situation and the steps we are
taking to help.
(At end of meeting)
2.
I am pleased with our prompt and vigorous response to this
tragedy. Please keep me informed on the situation and the
progress of our efforts to help. We should continue to give
full support to the Guatemalans' efforts to relieve the human
suffering involved. Then after there has been an opportunity
to survey the damage more completely, we can review with
the Government of Guatemala and others the longer-range
reconstruction measures which are required.
Attachment
Tab A: Message to President Laugerud
FORD
A
GERALD
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CONFIDENTIAL - GDS
Dear President Laugerud:
On behalf of the people and Government of the United
States I extend to you and the brave people of Guatemala
our deepest sympathy over the loss of life and suffering
caused by yesterday's disastrous earthquake. The close
bonds of friendship between our two countries makes your
loss the more deeply felt.
You may be assured of our commitment to cooperate
with you to bring prompt relief and assistance to the areas
affected so that human suffering may be eased and recovery
from the devastation speeded.
Sincerely,
His Excellency
Kjell Laugerud Garcia
President of Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala
GERALD a FORD
745 Sudto T.
2/6 1400
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
February 6, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
STEPHEN LOW
SUBJECT:
Talker for President's Meeting
on the Guatemalan Earthquake
Attached is a talker for the President's meeting at 3:15 on the
Guatemalan earthquake.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you initial the talker at Tab A.
GERALO " LERRARY juno
4
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMA TION
February 9, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BOB HORMATS
STEVE LOW
CLINT GRANGER
FROM:
BARBARA BOWIE
SUBJECT:
Guatemalan President Laugerud's
Request for US Army Engineer Battalion
Guatemalan President Kjell Laugerud has requested that the US send
to Guatemala a US Army Engineer battalion for the purpose of rebuild-
ing the highway from Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios (302 kilometers).
The highway, which is the only link for the capital and for the coffee
producing region with any port capable of handling major ships, has
been severely damaged by the earthquake and succeeding tremors.
The Embassy's Sit Rep number 6 of February 8 estimates that it would
require two months to reconstruct the highway. Until such time as the
highway is again operable, travel from the coast to the capital can be
accomplished only by the use of secondary roads over a circuitous
route which more than doubles the distance. Many of these secondary
roads are unpaved and will not be useable during the rainy season
which begins in May.
Personnel at the Foreign Disaster Relief Center at State on Sunday
were discussing referring the Guatemalan President's request to the
NSC. Some considerations which should enter into our evaluation
follow.
1. Economic Importance of the Highway
Coffee prices on the world market jumped 15 percent within 24 hours
after the earthquake, not because of any known damage to the antici-
pated coffee crop but because of the knowledge that Puerto Barrios
had been damaged. This jump in coffee prices occurred before any
knowledge was available of the highway destruction. All of Guatemala's
FORD
foreign exchange producing exports must be shipped from Puerto
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Barrios. Given the devastating economic effects of the quake, Guate-
mala will be hard pressed to withstand the further impact of an inability
GERALD
to earn foreign exchange.
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
BY GG
, NARA, DATE 7/19/2002
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
2. Guerrilla Activity in the Izabal-Zacapa Area
Many of the small communities along the Atlantic highway in the
Departments of Izabal and Zacapa have been centers of guerrilla
activity for many years. Several commanding officers of the Puerto
Barrios district of the Guatemalan Army have been assassinated by
terrorist groups over a period of years -- one of them two years after
his return to duty in Guatemala City. A current assessment of
guerrilla activity and strength in this area should be obtained before
further evaluation of the Guatemalan President's request.
3. Geologic Assessment of the Present Highway Route
The US Earthquake Center in Colorado has pinpointed the epicenter
of the quake on the south side of Lake Izabal along the highway route,
although Mexican and Nicaraguan seismologists differ in their opinions
of the location of the epicenter. Measurements in Guatemala indicated
that effects on the northeast side of the city occurred five seconds prior
to those measured on the south side of the city. Now that it has been
possible to assess the areas of severe damage and of total destruction
from the air, the pattern appears to substantiate the Lake Izabal epi-
center location.
Although the Motagua Valley route is the most direct and is the site
of the existing road bed, the alignment of the valley with the Cayman
trough (which runs between Jamaica and Haiti on the south and Cuba
on the north) and the apparent tectonic movements along the valley
route suggest that geologic analysis of the present road bed would be
advisable prior to any reconstruction effort.
4. Response to President Laugerud
The Guatemalan President's request has been reiterated several times
throughout the weekend. He has been informed that the US Government
is giving serious consideration to his request. It would seem advisable
to offer some further response to Laugerud before an apparent turn-off
of his request has the opportunity to create any problem in our relation
with the Guatemalan's in attempting to assist them. I would think that
the Guatemalan President should be advised that we thoroughly under-
stand the economic importance of the Atlantic highway to Guatemala and
concur in his placing priority on its repair. We should suggest to him
CONFIDENTIAL
FORD
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CONFIDENTIAL
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at this point, however, that we would prefer as a preliminary to any
decision on the provision of the scale of assistance he has requested,
to send a team from the US Geological Survey to evaluate the advis-
ability of rebuilding along the same route or of relocating if a fault
line is indicated. The telephone operators at the Disaster Center were
being advised to respond to inquiries of the public on the possibility of
sending our engineers by saying that we were studying the cost of such
an operation in order to reach a decision. While this may be an ade-
quate PR response within the US, President Laugerud deserves a more
substantive answer soon.
FORD
&
CONFIDENTIAL
GERALD
LEGRARY
CONFIDENTIAL
pem
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
February 10, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT
OBE
FROM:
STEPHEN LOW
SUBJECT:
Presidential involvement in Guatemalan
Earthquake Disaster Relief
As it becomes apparent that the Guatemalan earthquake is one of
the major natural disasters of the decade, we want to be certain
that the President is personally associated with the substantial U.S.
relief effort. The following are some means by which this
association can be demonstrated:
1. Secretary's trip to South America
The Secretary will be stopping in Costa Rica on
February 23. If Guatemalan President Laugerud attends the Chiefs
of State meeting with him, the Secretary could fly Laugerud back
to Guatemala City and visit there for a few hours. If Laugerud is
unable to attend the meeting, then the Secretary could stop over
in Guatemala City on his return. In either case he would express
the President's personal concern with the situation and desire that
the U.S. provide effective assistance.
2. Other Presidential emissary
We should send Dan Parker to Guatemala as a Presidential
emissary designated to survey the situation and determine how the
U.S. can most effectively assist the Guatemalan rehabilitation effort.
The President might appoint one or two members of the appropriate
Congressional committee to accompany Dan. On their return they
could meet with the President to report their conclusions.
3. Involvement by Mrs. Ford
a) We can consider a trip to Guatemala by Mrs. Ford at a
later date after the rehabilitation program has been established
and funded. She could convey the U.S. commitment to help and
FORD
perhaps the first installment of voluntary assistance.
?
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
CONFIDENTIAL
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LIBRARY
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
BY GG
, NARA. DATE 7/19/2002
CONFIDENTIAL
2
b) We could establish a body to coordinate voluntary
organization contributions with a nationally known figure to
head it and Mrs. Ford as Honorary Chairman. (In the case of
Peru, Charles Taft was put in charge of the effort.)
4. Parker - White House press briefing
report again to qhe President and
Have Dan Parker come over to, do a press briefing with Ron
Nessen summarizing our assessment of the disaster and the record of
U.S. assistance to date.
Suggestions (1), (2) and (4) seem to me to be the most immediately
appropriate, and I believe should be implemented. They should be
adequate for the moment. At a later date we can consider again the
other suggestion. We would have to keep in mind, of course, that
a trip to Guatemala by Mrs. Ford could be seen as a replay of
Mrs. Nixon's trip to Peru with its attendant advantages and
disadvantages.
RECOMMENDATION
That you approve my setting in motion suggestion number (2) to have
Dan Parker go down to Guatemala as Presidential emissary.
Approve
Disapprove
Including Congressional representatives (Les Janka supports).
Approve
Disapprove
Alternatively, that you do so.
Approve
Disapprove
-
That you approve a Nessen-Parker press briefing in the White House today
to be arranged by Margie Vanderhye and Ron Nessen.
Approve
Disapprove
R FORD LIBRARY
CONFIDENTIAL
884
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
February 12, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
STEPHEN LOW SC
SUBJECT:
Schedule Proposal for Meeting with
Dan Parker
Attached is a Schedule Proposal recommending the President meet
with Dan Parker on the latter's return from Guatemala in order to
receive his report and discuss follow-on actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you initial the Schedule Proposal at Tab A.
GERALD a LIGARAY FURD
SCHEDULE PROPOSAL
DATE:
FROM:
Brent Scowcroft
THE WHITE HOUSE
VIA:
William Nicholson
WASHINGTON
MEETING:
With Dan Parker on Guatemala earthquake situation and US
relief efforts.
DATE:
Monday, February 16.
PURPOSE:
To receive Dan Parker's report following his trip to
Guatemala as your personal emissary and discuss with
him further assistance.
FORMAT:
- Oval Office
- Dan Parker
Herman Kleine, Deputy Administrator, AID,
for Latin America
Brent Scowcroft
- Fifteen minutes
CABINET
None
PARTICIPATION:
SPEECH
Talking points to be provided by NSC.
MATERIAL:
PRESS
Meeting to be announced; press photo session.
COVERAGE:
STAFF:
Brent Scowcroft
RECOMMEND:
Brent Scowcroft
OPPOSED:
None
PREVIOUS
Dan Parker briefed you on the Guatemala earthquake
PARTICIPATION:
situation Friday, February 6.
BACKGROUND:
On February 11 you asked that Parker go to Guatemala
to study the situation and report to you. He left early
Thursday morning and is due to return late Friday
evening. As a result, he should be able to give you
his first-hand impressions and a clearer idea of what
will be required in terms of the longer term rehabilitation
GERALD 4 LEBRARY , URD
and reconstruction effort.
APPROVE
DISAPPROVE