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    "title": "Guatemala - Earthquake (3)",
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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 3, folder \"Guatemala - Earthquake (3)\" of the\nNational Security Adviser. NSC Latin American Affairs Staff: Files for Latin America at\nthe Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\n1151\nLow\nFYI It\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506\nMarch 3, 1976\nF\nMEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. George S. Springsteen\nExecutive Secretary\nDepartment of State\nof but\nSUBJECT:\nS. Res. 390 Concerning Guatemala\nOn February 17, 1976, the Senate adopted S. Res. 390 in support of\nassistance to the people of Guatemala in the aftermath of the recent\nearthquakes. We request that you transmit a copy of this resolution\nto the Government of Guatemala in accordance with Section 3 of the\nResolution.\nMike Hounday\nJeanne W. Davis\nfor\nStaff Secretary\nGERALD ? FORD\nstaff\n4\nMEMORANDUM\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\n1151\nWASHINGTON\nFebruary 23, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nBRENT SCOW CROFT\nFROM:\nBOB LINDER Lind\nAttached is a copy of S. Res. 390, transmitted to the President\nby a letter from the Secretary of the Senate. I am forwarding these\nitems to you for appropriate handling in accordance with Section 3\nof the resolution.\nAttachment\nFORD LIBRARY & OERALO\nFRANCIS R. VALEO\nSECRETARY\nUNITED STATES SENATE\nWASHINGTON\nFebruary 19, 1976.\nMind\nl\nThe President,\nThe White House,\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Mr. President:\nI am forwarding herewith,\nfor your interest, a copy of Senate Resolution\n390. adopted by the Senate on February 17, 1976.\nRespectfully yours,\n7- R. Vales\nFrancis R. Valeo,\nSecretary of the Senate.\nEnclosure:\nS. Res. 390.\nGERALD\nBRARY\nS. Res. 390\nIn the Senate of the United States,\nFebruary 17, 1976.\nWhereas the people of our sister Republic, Guatemala, suffered\na devastating blow as the result of the recent earthquakes and\ntremors in February 1976; and\nWhereas these quakes and tremors caused the loss of thousands of\nlives and the destruction or devastation of many towns and\nvillages, rendering homeless many thousands of people; and\nWhereas the people and Government of the United States, in\naccord with the traditions of the United States, are anxious to\nassist the people of Guatemala in their tragic hour of bereave-\nment and suffering; and\nWhereas the task of relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction\nwhich faces Guatemala is huge, requiring outside support and\nassistance beyond the present emergency requirements:\nNow, therefore, be it\nResolved, That the Senate extend its deepest sympathy to the\nPresident and to the people of Guatemala in this dark hour of\ntheir suffering and distress.\nFORD\nSEC. 2. It is the sense of the Senate that the executive branch\n?\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nof the United States Government be urged to develop, in coopera-\ntion with other potential donors in and outside of the Western\n2\nHemisphere, both governmental and private, programs to assist\nthe people of Guatemala in their efforts to relieve the suffering\ncaused by the disaster and to rehabilitate their nation from the\ndamage inflicted.\nSEC. 3. Copies of the present resolution shall be distributed\nthrough appropriate channels to the President of Guatemala.\nAttest:\n7 R. Valeo\nSecretary.\nGERALD a FORD LIBRARY\nCalendar No.\nfite carthgorhy Quatim 2\n94TH CONGRESS\nSENATE\nREPORT\n2d Session\nNo. 94-679\nGUATEMALA RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ACT\nOF 1976\nMARCH 3, 1976.-Ordered to be printed\nMr. HUMPHREY, from the Committee on Foreign Relations,\nsubmitted the following\nREPORT\n[To accompany S. 3056]\nThe Committee on Foreign Relations, to which was referred the\nbill (S. 3056) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide\nemergency relief, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to the\npeople who have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guate-\nmala, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an\namendment and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.\nPURPOSE OF THE BILL\nThe purpose of the bill is to authorize the appropriation of $25\nmillion to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance to the people\nof Guatemala who were victims of the earthquakes which occurred in\nthat nation in February, 1976.\nSUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS IN S. 3056\n1. Authorization of Appropriations: The bill authorizes appropria-\ntion of $25 million for relief and rehabilitation activities in Guate-\nmala. The appropriations are authorized for the fiscal year 1976 and to\nremain available until expended.\n2. The assistance is to be provided subject to the policy and general\nauthority of section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as\namended.\n3. Funds authorized by this bill may be used to reimburse appro-\npriation accounts from which initial relief funds were drawn, but may\nnot otherwise be transferred.\nFORD\n?\n57-010\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n2\n3\n4. The bill directs that to the maximum extent practicable assist-\nance is to be distributed through United States voluntary relief agen-\nby the Subcommittee on Foreign Assistance on February 27 and by\ncies and other international relief and development organizations.\nthe full committee, also by voice vote, on March 2.\n5. The bill requires a quarterly report to Congress on the program-\nCOMMITTEE COMMENTS\nming and obligation of funds provided under its authority.\nThe Committee on Foreign Relations believes it desirable and ap-\nBACKGROUND AND COMMITTEE ACTION\npropriate that the United States provide assistance in the amount\nOn the morning of February 4, 1976, a major earthquake, 7.5 on the\nrequested to help the victims of the Guatemala earthquake. Moreover,\nRichter scale, struck Guatemala leaving more than 22,000 dead, 76,000\nthe committee believes it of great importance that legislative action\ninjured and a million homeless. An estimated 20 percent of the people\non this request be completed at the earliest possible time. Unless the\nof Guatemala were directly affected by the first tremor and its after-\nrehabilitation of homes, community facilities and roads is well under-\nshocks.\nway by the beginning of the rainy season in May, the suffering of the\nThe burden of the disaster fell hardest on the rural and urban poor\npeople of Guatemala will be greatly compounded.\nwhose adobe homes and poorly constructed shanties collapsed, often\nWhile urging the prompt enactment of this legislation the com-\nmittee is nevertheless aware that it has less information than it would\nburying families in their sleep. In addition to the individual human\nlike to have concerning the uses which will be made of the funds to\ntragedies, the earthquake caused severe damage to the main highway\nfrom Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios, a road over which a substan-\nbe authorized in this bill. The President's message requesting funds\ntial portion of the commerce of the nation travels. Water supplies, hos-\nfor relief and rehabilitation in Guatemala provided only a brief out-\npitals, schools and other community facilities were also damaged in\nline of the projected uses of these funds.\nvillages, towns and cities throughout a large area of the country.\nRepeated requests to the Agency for International Development\nhave elicited little additional detail. In all likelihood such information\nThe Government of Guatemala, the U.S. Government, the govern-\nis simply not available at this time and the committee recognizes the\nments of 25 other nations, several international organizations, and nu-\nmerous voluntary agencies responded to the needs of the people of\nproblems involved in formulating definitive plans for relief and re-\nhabilitation efforts in the immediate aftermath of a disaster of this\nGuatemala in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The U.S.\nmagnitude.\nGovernment dispatched medical and other specialized personnel, med-\nGiven the importance which the committee attaches to the prompt\nicine, food, temporary shelter, transport vehicles, including helicop-\npursuit of relief and rehabilitation activities in Guatemala it decided\nters, and other supplies needed to assist the injured, identify damage,\nnot to delay this legislation until detailed plans were available for\nand provide the necessities of life to people affected by the earthquake.\nreview. At the same time, however, the committee wishes to express\nThe Agency for International Development reports that approxi-\nits view that the funds authorized should be spent in close conformity\nmately $7.5 million has been obligated or programmed for these ini-\nwith the purposes and intent described in the President's Message and\ntial relief and rehabilitation efforts. Emergency relief operations are\nin the testimony and communications to the committee of Mr. Daniel\nnow beginning to phase down and rehabilitation efforts are expected to\nParker, Administrator of the Agency for International Development.\ncommence as soon as possible.\nIn his testimony before the subcommittee, Mr. Parker stated that\nOn February 19, 1976, the Senate received a message from the Presi-\ndent (Appendix I) requesting $25 million for the relief and rehabilita-\nthe heaviest burden of the disaster fell on the poor, especially the rural\ntion of the victims of the earthquake in Guatemala. A subsequent\npoor. As outlined in the President's message a substantial portion of\nthe assistance provided in this act would be used for direct assistance\nExecutive Branch communication (Appendix II) included an outline\nof the proposed uses for the funds requested. This communication also\nto the rural and urban poor whose homes and community facilities\nnoted that to be effective, additional relief and rehabilitation efforts,\nwere damaged or destroyed. The committee agrees with this intention.\nparticularly housing reconstruction and road repair should be com-\nThe committee emphasizes that it is recommending authority to\nprovide assistance for relief and rehabilitation. These funds are not\npleted before the rainy season begins in May. Earlier, on February 16,\nthe Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs and the Subcom-\nto be used as a supplement or addition to economic development pro-\ngrams or activities authorized under other sections of the Foreign\nmittee on Foreign Assistance jointly had received testimony on the\nAssistance Act.\nsituation in Guatemala from Daniel Parker, Administrator of the\nThe committee has taken note of reports that, in the past, funds in-\nAgency for International Development.\nThe administration bill was introduced by Senator Sparkman, by\ntended for direct assistance to people affected by disasters have been\nrequest, as S. 3044 on February 25. The following day Senator Hum-\nused to procure and provide to host governments expensive capital\nphrey, for himself and Senator Kennedy introduced S. 3056. The latter\nequipment of questionable value to those who were bearing the greatest\nbill was considered and approved with an amendment by voice vote\nburden of the disaster. Funds authorized to be appropriated under\nthis act must not be used to provide such equipment. The committee\nunderstands that the transfer to the Government of Guatemala of\nS.R. 679\nS.R. 679\n4\n5\nsome equipment used for road construction or medical purposes may\ntherefore, urges the executive branch to give favorable consideration\nbe desirable, but the committee would not expect other transfers, and\nto participation with other nations in meeting the appeal of the\ncertainly not any significant deviation from these understandings,\nUNHCR.\nwithout prior consultation.\nThe committee is also aware of the relief work now being carried out\nThe committee has noted reports of the effective response of U.S.\nin Lebanon by the International Committee of the Red Cross and by\nand other voluntary organizations to the needs of the victims of the\nthe American University of Beirut Hospital. The executive branch\nearthquake in Guatemala. The committee calls attention to its intent\nhas provided support for this work in the past and should continue to\nthat to the maximum extent practicable assistance be distributed\ngive it favorable consideration. Other private and voluntary organiza-\nthrough the United States and inter-American voluntary agencies.\ntions have issued special appeals. The committee hopes that each of\nThe draft bill for Guatemala relief submitted by the executive\nthese will be given separate consideration on its own merits.\nbranch would have created independent statutory authority for these\nThere are a number of sources from which the executive branch can\nactivities. The committee did not agree with this procedure, preferring\nfund assistance for Lebanon without new legislative action. Subsec-\ninstead to place these activities under title I of the Foreign Assistance\ntion 495A(f), which would be added to the Foreign Assistance Act\nAct of 1961, as amended. This new section of the act was created by\nby this bill, gives the executive branch the authority to transfer valid\nthe International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975\ncharges for Guatemala relief from the general disaster relief account\nspecifically to provide a consolidated coherent body of legislation on\nto the special Guatemala disaster relief account authorized by sub-\ndisaster relief and assistance. At the time that 1975 act was under\nsection 495A (c). Based on existing obligations in the disaster relief\nconsideration, the Administrator of AID himself wrote the committee\naccount, and assuming the account is fully funded for the fiscal year\nexpressing the executive branch view that \"it is preferable to include\n1976, the approval of this authority would make adequate funds avail-\nlegislation on international disaster relief assistance in the basic\nable for disaster relief in Lebanon during the fiscal year 1976. The\nForeign Assistance Act, rather than as a separate law.\" The committee\ncommittee also notes that the legislative history of the contingency\naction is consistent with that view.\nfund, section 451 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,\nRelief Assistance to Lebanon\nmakes it clear that the contingency fund may be used for famine and\ndisaster assistance such as that needed in Lebanon, as well as other\nThe committee has recently received various proposals to provide\ncontingencies. In the case of both the contingency fund and the regu-\nemergency relief and rehabilitation to the people of Lebanon. An\nlar disaster account, funds provided for the transition quarter could\namendment submitted to the committee by Senator Abourezk proposed\nbe added to fiscal year 1976 funds to meet needs during the current\nsuch assistance to Lebanon as a part of the present Guatemala relief\ncalendar year.\nlegislation.\nThe committee urges the executive branch to consider all of these\nThe need for such assistance is recognized following the civil strife\nsources of possible funding, as well as emergency food supplies avail-\nwhich has devastated Beirut and other cities and villages throughout\nable under Public Law 480, as it evaluates appeals from the UNHCR\nLebanon. This struggle has left thousands wounded, homeless or in\nan other worthy international agencies and private and voluntary or-\nless than adequate shelter. Many more, especially children, are sick and\nganizations. If appropriate, direct appeals from the Government of\nhungry.\nLebanon could be considered, but the committee feels that contribu-\nThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)\ntions and distributions must be made on a non-ideological, non-\nhas recently issued a special appeal for $50 million for emergency\npolitical basis to the people of both religious communities who have\nrelief programs in Lebanon to be administered by the UNHCR and\nsuffered from the war. U.S. assistance must be used only for the\nother UN agencies during calendar year 1976. The committee has been\nadvised that the portion administered by the UNHCR (approximately\nsupport of programs which are administered in such a way that\n$25.5 million) would be used to repair housing and replace minimal\ndistribution is not controlled by or channeled through political fac-\nessential household equipment such as blankets, clothing, and mat-\ntions on outside forces such as the Palestine Liberation Army or other\ntresses, and for medical supplies. Another portion, about $14 million\ngroups under non-Lebanese control. The committee strongly favors\nwould be used by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)\nthe use of the UNHCR and selected voluntary agencies as the vehicles\nfor maternal and child feeding. Approximately $5 million would be\nfor the distribution of the U.S. relief support.\nfor health services and medical supplies administered by the World\nThe committee expects the executive branch to report to the com-\nHealth Organization, and about $500,000 would be administered\nmittee not later than May 1, 1976, on its action to carry out a program\nthrough UNRWA, with the remaining $5 million to cover administra-\nof assistance to the people of Lebanon, SO that the committee may\ntion costs.\nconsider the progress of such a program and a projection of further\nThe committee notes that the United States has already obligated\nemergency aid before final Senate action on a fiscal year 1977 foreign\n$959,805 from existing disaster relief funds to aid the people affected\nassistance bill.\nby this man-made disaster. But much more is needed. The committee,\nS.R. 679\nS.R. 679\n6\nCOST ESTIMATE\nSection 252 (a) (1) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1972\nrequires that committee reports on bills and joint resolutions contain:\n(a) An estimate made by such committee of the costs which would\nbe incurred in carrying out such a bill or joint resolution in the fiscal\nAPPENDIX I-PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE\nyear in which it is reported and in each of the five fiscal years fol-\nlowing such fiscal year.\nTo the Congress of the United States:\nThe committee estimates that the cost of implementing this bill will\nOn February 4th a devastating earthquake struck Guatemala. That\nbe approximately as follows:\nearthquake, together with its aftershocks, has left over 22,000 dead,\nFiscal period:\nOutlays in millions\nmore than 75,000 injured, and one million homeless.\n1976\n$14\nThe United States has a special responsibility to help meet the\nTransition quarter\n5\nurgent needs in Guatemala. Immediate aid has already been extended\n1977\n6\nby U.S. agencies, both public and private, including:\n-Emergency shelters, medical supplies and food provided by the\nAgency for International Development.\n-Transportation and medical facilities provided by the Depart-\nment of Defense.\n-Food distribution, medical services, and other disaster relief ac-\ntivities provided by numerous private voluntary agencies.\nLast week I dispatched my Special Coordinator for International\nDisaster Assistance-AID Administrator Daniel Parker-to Guate-\nmala for a firsthand review of the situation. He has now reported to\nme and to Congressal Committees on the extent of damage and need.\nBoth the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed resolu-\ntions expressing sympathy for the people of Guatemala in their hour\nof distress and urging development of a comprehensive U.S. response.\nThe Secretary of State will visit the Republic of Guatemala on Feb-\nruary 24 to express further our support for the people of Guatemala.\nI am now proposing urgent and specific action to turn these expres-\nsions of sympathy into tangible assistance. The proposed $25 million\n\"Guatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976\" which I am sending herewith\nrepresents an immediate humanitarian response of the United States\nto the victims of this tragedy who have been injured or have lost their\nrelatives, their homes and possessions, and in many cases their very\nmeans of existence.\nThis legislation, and the ensuing appropriation, will enable us to\nrespond to the human tragedy in Guatemala. Our response will reflect\nAmerica's concern for the people of Guatemala.\nGERALD R. FORD.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE, February 19, 1976.\n(7)\nS.R. 679\nS.R. 679\n9\nof Guatemala was to dispatch a U.S. Military Disaster Assistance\nSurvey Team from Panama and airlift a 100-bed U.S. military field\nhospital, fully staffed and equipped. Eighteen helicopters were de-\nployed; medical supplies, tents, blankets and water equipment from\nU.S. disaster stocks followed. Additional teams of engineers, water\nAPPENDIX II-AID PROPOSALS\nspecialists and medical/communication specialists were also sent to\nGuatemala to assist the Government.\nDEPARTMENT OF STATE,\nThe funds cover the continuing costs of initial emergency relief\nAGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,\noperations provided by the Department of Defense, other participat-\nWashington, February 19, 1976.\ning U.S. agencies, procurement of supplies, transportation, grants to\nHon. NELSON ROCKEFELLER,\nU.S. Voluntary Agencies, the OAS, replacement of disaster stocks in\nPresident, U.S. Senate,\nPanama and other support costs. The actual level of expenditure will\nWashington, D.C.\ndepend on the duration of the emergency phase, and particularly on\nDEAR MR. PRESIDENT: It is my honor to forward herewith explana-\nthe timing of withdrawal of the helicopters, and medical support.\ntory material entitled \"Proposed U.S. Relief and Rehabilitation of the\nVictims of the Guatemala Disaster.\" This material has been prepared\n(B) RURAL REHABILITATION ($7.5 MILLION)\nin order to assist the Congress in the consideration of the proposed\nGuatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976 transmitted by Presidential\n1. Shelter\nmessage on February 19, 1976.\nFunds would be allocated to supply critically needed supplementary\nProposed U.S. assistance would be concentrated on the immediate\nbuilding construction materials and hand tools for up to 100,000 units\nneeds of the poor in Guatemala who have borne the brunt of this\nof rural and small community housing in the devastated Indian high-\nhuman tragedy in terms of death, injury, disease and economic loss.\nlands. The uniqueness of this disaster was its effect on the rural poor\nThe construction of temporary shelter and reopening of key trans-\nwho because of the very nature of construction of their dwellings\nportation arteries are vital first steps. After completing a first hand\nwere singled out as the major victims of the earthquakes. The Gov-\nreview of the situation in the field at the President's request, I can\nernment of Gatemala estimates that more than 150,000 such dwellings\nassure you that that human suffering in Guatemala is serious and\nwere lost in the earthquakes and subsequent tremors, in addition to\ndeserves the urgent consideration of the Congress.\nmore than 100,000 urban dwellings. We expect that roughly 1/3 of the\nSincerely,\nrural needs will be rebuilt through individual and direct GOG and\nDANIEL PARKER.\nother donor assistance. To meet the balance of this requirement, and\nEnclosure.\nin support of self-help efforts, simple materials and tools that can be\npurchased locally or in nearby countries or, as necessary, shipped\nPROPOSED U.S. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE\nfrom the United States will be employed. We contemplate as was\nGUATEMALAN DISASTER\ndone in response to Hurricane Fifi in Honduras with considerable\nefficiency and economy, a grant-funded program executed through key\nThe total amount requested will permit AID to continue participa-\nprivate voluntary agencies such as CARE, wherein small farmers and\ntion, in close collaboration with the Government of Guatemala and\nthe rural poor in general will be provided relatively inexpensive roof-\nother donors, to help meet the highest priority immediate relief and\ning materials (e.g., galvanized tin and asbestos composition corrugated\nrehabilitation needs. In addition to the ongoing emergency relief oper-\nsheets), hammers, saws, chisels, nails, reinforcing bars, simple hard-\nations, our proposed input literally is geared to helping Guatemala to\nware, etc., and limited technical help. Involvement of existing co-\nwin a race against the elements-with an eye on the rainy season which\noperative organizations in the Indian highlands also will be stressed.\nnormally begins in approximately 90 days. So as to minimize further\nExperience in similar situatións has shown that the bulk of such re-\nsuffering and additional major economic dislocation, at the request of\nconstruction is carried out by the families involved. In fact, the proc-\nthe Government of Guatemala and based on continuing assessment in\ness of clearing necessary sites and sorting out materials already has\nthe field, we will concentrate assistance over the coming few months\nbegun. Attention to farming and other economic activity typically\nprimarily on helping to insure adequate temporary shelter with sup-\ntakes second place to providing shelter for the surviving family, mak-\nporting community facilities and on reopening critical transportation\ning this activity not only an essential element of social rehabilitation,\nlinks, especially the badly damaged Guatemala City-Caribbean High-\nbut of economic import as well.\nway, the main artery essential to the country's economic viability.\nBenefits of research sponsored by AID since the 1970 earthquake in\nPeru will be applied, to the extent possible, in improving seismic re-\n(B) EMERGENCY RELEF OPERATIONS ($7.5 MILLION)\nsistance of basically adobe construction. With minimal cost increases,\nThe initial response of the U.S. Country Team in Guatemala and\nit is hoped that the affected families, with the direct help of the in-\nAID's Foreign Disaster Relief Center to requests of the Government\nvolved PVO's and cooperatives, will by the onset of the rainy season\n(8)\nS.R. 679\nS.R. 679\n11\n10\n(D) OTHER URGENT ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS\nbe sheltered in conditions that are sufficiently comfortable and secure\n($2.5 MILLION)\nto restore to them at least a semblance of the life-hard as it has al-\nways been-they knew prior to February 4. Roofing materials to be\nBased on the results of high altitude aerial reconnaissance, danger-\nsupplied will be of a kind that will limit the extent of personal injury\nous topographical changes appear to have developed in various parts\nin any future earthquakes (as compared to titles commonly used) and\nof the earthquake-affected area. Possible flooding from the rupture of\nalso will be useable in more permanent construction.\nnaturally-formed dams as water accumulation occurs, particularly\n2. Supporting Community Facilities\nafter the onset of the rainy season, could cause severe additional loss\nTo the extent complementary, relatively simple construction needs\nof life and physical damage if not corrected opportunely. Specialists\ncan be met quickly and economically, assistance also will be extended\nin dealing with the difficult engineering and demolition problems en-\ntailed and other assistance as necessary, beyond that which is avail-\nto restore a minimum of vital community services (small farmer mar-\nkets, schools, slaughtering facilities, health posts, etc.) to permit com-\nable and can be financed in-country, will be provided.\nmunities to continue their traditional role as providers of social stabil-\nSummary\nity and cohesion in the Indian areas. In all cases, such assistance will\nImmediate relief efforts, complemented by the undertakings listed\nbe limited to keeping communities socially and economically viable\nabove, represent a basic, necessary and immediate response to pressing\nuntil broader, more durable, public services can be restored. In this\nhumanitarian and economic needs felt by the Government of Guate-\neffort, close coordination will exist with the GOG's Municipal Devel-\nmala and confirmed by our field assessments. They are essential to re-\nopment Institute (INFOM), with which AID has had a long and\nstoring near-normal life in Guatemala and to recapturing the momen-\nsuccessful relationship in Guatemala.\ntum of development progress which, under the administration of\nAs needed and requested by voluntary agencies with known com-\nPresident Laugerud, had only recently begun to move the large mass\npetence, funds will be made available to support Guatemalan Govern-\nof Guatemala's urban and rural poor closer to enjoying the benefits\nment efforts in relieving the social trauma of victims.\nof growth.\nSome shifts in the application of requested funds may prove neces-\n(C) TRANSPORTATION LINKS, INCLUDING RESTORATION OF THE GUATEMALA\nsary as assessments of needs and costs continue to be refined and as the\nCITY-CARIBBEAN HIGHWAY ($7.5 MILLION)\nfinancial capacity of the Guatemalan Government itself and assistance\nfrom other donors can be better identified.\nBased on a careful survey just completed by an 11-man U.S. Army\nIn this connection, AID will remain alert to ways of applying funds\nCorps of Engineers detachment, it now appears that in a period of 60-\nnot only SO as to meet pressing shelter and vital communications prob-\n75 days (before the rainy season makes such work difficult, if not im-\nlems in the short run, but to facilitating as well, by community and\npossible), the immediate phase of restoring Guatemala's principal ex-\ncooperative action especially suitable in the Indian highlands of Gua-\nport and import link with the rest of the world can be accomplished.\ntemala, broader participation in the very process as well as the bene-\nThe road must be made passable for the thousands of trucks and\nfits of development.\nbuses which normally transit this highway, now interrupted by a\nTime has now become the major opponent in the continued support\nbridges. stretch of approximately 50 miles of severe slides and destroyed\nof our Government and people to Guatemala. If the assistance pro-\nposed herein can be made available immediately, essential work can\nIf this work can be accomplished, as proposed, using the services of\nbe completed before the onset of the rainy season, SO alleviating addi-\nthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or other emergency help that can\ntional anguish for a burdened people.\nbe mobilized immediately, it is expected that the Guatemalan Govern-\nment will be able to provide the maintenance capability to keep the\nroad open during the rainy season. In the meantime, there are indica-\ntions that international financing should be available for the major\njob of permanent reconstruction that cannot begin until later in the\nyear when the detailed engineering and weather conditions would per-\nmit this major operation to get underway.\nAdditionally, destruction of a number of vital farm-to-market roads\nin the Indian highland area has cut off communities from the access\nthey need to maintain some economic touch with 20th century life.\nSpecial priority will be given to opening up these vital lifelines of\ncommunication, necessary to facilitating broader reconstruction efforts\nin the future.\nS.R. 679\nS.R. 679\n~> Low\ns 3\nMEMORANDUM\n1258\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506\n(Correspondence Referral)\nMarch 10, 1976\nTO:\nROLAND ELLIOTT\nFROM:\nJEANNE W. DAVIS not\nREFERENCE:\nEg\nTo: The President Date: February 10, 1976\nFrom: Pedro de Mesones\nSubject: Suggests Visit by Mrs. Ford or Susan Ford\nto Guatemala\nComment:\nA draft reply is attached at Tab A. The incoming letter is\nattached at Tab B.\nAttachments\nGERALD & FUMD LIBRARY\nSUGGESTED REPLY\nDear Mr. Mesones:\nThe President has asked that I reply to your letter of February 10,\nsuggesting a visit by Mrs. Ford or Susan Ford to Guatemala.\nAs you know, the President has been closely following develop-\nments in Guatemala since the tragic earthquake of February 4. Quick\naction was taken by this government to provide emergency assistance.\nThe President sent Daniel Parker, his Special Coordinator for Interna-\ntional Disaster Assistance, to Guatemala on February 12 to make a personal\nassessment of damages done and assistance needed and met with him on\nseveral occasions to discuss the ongoing relief needs. On February 19\nthe President submitted to the Congress a Special Bill for Guatemalan\nRelief and Rehabilitation calling for grant assistance of $25 million.\nSecretary of State Kissinger visited Guatemala on February 24\nto convey personally the condolences of the American Government and\npeople.\nWe appreciate your expression of interest and the benefit, of your\nconstructive idea.\nSincerely,\nMr. Pedro de Mesones\nPedro de Mesones Associates, Inc.\nFORD\n1625 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 903\n?\nWashington, D.C. 20006\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nTelephones: (202)331-0447.8\nPedro de Mesones & Associates, Inc.\n7603417\n1625 Eye Street, N. W.\nSuite 903\nWashington, D. C. 20006\nFebruary 10, 1976\nThe Honorable Gerald R. Ford\nPresident of the United States\nThe White House\nWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nAs a staunch Republican interested in your 1976\nelection, please allow me to suggest a goodwill trip by\nMrs. Ford or your daughter, Susan, to Guatemala to offer\nboth your personal and this country's condolences and\nassistance in their recent tragedy.\nWithout question, this action would be seen by all\nthe Latin American countries as a gesture of friendship\nand would certainly enhance Secretary of State Henry\nKissinger's reception in his upcoming trip to Latin\nAmerica. This also would be a fine beginning in re-\nestablishing your credibility with and obtaining support\nfrom the Hispanic American population in this election\nyear.\nRespectfully,\nde memory\nPedro de Mesones\nPdeM: fe\nCC: The Honorable\nHenry A. Kissinger\nFORD\nR.\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nS\n4\nMEMORANDUM\n1431\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506\n(Correspondence Referral)\nMarch 11, 1976\nTO:\nJON HOWE\nFROM:\nJEANNE W. DAVIS\nREFERENCE:\nTo: The Vice President Date: February 17, 1976\nFrom: Michael Tolbert\nSubject: Offering services for Guatemala relief effort.\nComment:\nA draft reply is attached at Tab A. The incoming letter is\nattached at Tab B.\nAttachments\nGERALD\nFORD LIBRARY &\nSUGGESTED REPLY\nDear Mr. Tolbert:\nThe Vice President has asked me to reply to your letter of February 17\nin which you express your desire to assist in the emergency relief\nprogram for Guatemala. The devastation and destruction caused by\nthe earthquake of February 4 were indeed terrible blows for the people\nof a neighboring country to suffer. It has been truly gratifying to see\nso many private US citizens offer their services to help with relief efforts.\nThe United States Government has been conducting extensive relief\noperations since the earthquake struck on February 4. As you no doubt\nknow, we have been working through the regular staff of our Agency\nfor International Development (AID) Mission in Guatemala, as well as\nin cooperation with several private voluntary agencies that have active\nprograms in the country. I would therefore suggest that you write directly\nto the voluntary agencies, offering your services. I enclose for your\ninformation a report listing all the private non-profit groups working\nin Guatemala. The report contains a brief description of the type of\nproject in which each group is engaged.\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\n2\nI trust that this information will give you a good starting point in\nidentifying those agencies that could effectively utilize your services.\nThank you again for your interest and concern.\nSincerely,\nEnclosure:\nDevelopment Assistance Programs\nof US Non-Profit Organizations\nin Guatemala\nMr. Michael L. Tolbert\nP.O. Box 5452\nAustin, Texas 78763\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\nCH COUNTRY REPORT\ngivent Paul Boll\nDEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF U.S.\nNON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN\nGUATEMALA\nSEPTEMBER 1974\nPUERTO\nBARRIOS\nCOBAN\nUEZALTENANGO\ne\nGUATEMALA\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\nGUATEMALA\nCOLEGIO INTERNACIONAL DE CARACAS\nformerly\nACADEMY LA CASTELLANA (1956-1971) and THE HIGH SCHOOL OF COLEGIO AMERICANO (1947-1971)\noperated by\nAcademy La Castellana, Asociación Civil\n7604328\nGrades K-12 Altos de La Trinidad. Las Minas. Baruta . Telf. 93.07.08. 93.06.08, 93.04.44\nMAILING ADDRESS: Apartado 62170 Caracas, Venezuela\nP.O. Box 5452\nAustin, Texas 78763\nFebruary 17, 1976\nVice-President Nelson Rockefeller\nWashington, D.C.\nDear Vice-President Rockefeller:\nI am sending this very important and urgent request to you as I know you have\nhad an interest in Latin American problems for many years. I want very much to\noffer my time and service to the relief program in Guatemala, but have not\nyot received positive action from the dozens of agencies to whom I have\nwritten. I am in a unique position at present to offer my time, and feel\nthat I could be of service.\nI am a social science teacher, between job assignments, with six months of free\ntime. This rarely occurs in teaching, and since the Nicaraguan earthquake of\n1973 I have wanted to offer assistance in Central America, but was always tied\nto teaching positions which prohibited my leaving.\nI am twenty-six, single, and have studied and lived in Latin America. I\nhold an M.A. in social science education, but would be interested in\nhelping in any possible manner in Guatemala. It would not have to be\nassociated with education. I am interested in work through the auspices of\nthe U.S. Government, international agencies, or private business.\nI would like to ask your assistance in coordinating my inquiry with the heads\nof agencies which you know to be involved in Guatomala. I would even appreciate\nit if you would send a copy of this letter to your brother at Chase Manhattan.\nI know there are many agencies, companies, and programs with which I could\noffer my services, if only I could reach them. Thanks for your help.\nSincerely,\nMichael L. Tolbert\nFORD\n(te1:512-392-6759)\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nS 5\nMEMORANDUM\n1226\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506\n(Correspondence Referral)\nMarch 12, 1976\nTO:\nVERNON LOEN\nFROM:\nJEANNE W. DAVIS\nREFERENCE:\nTo: The President\nDate: February 25, 1976\nFrom: Don Fuqua (M.C.)\nSubject: Suggests shipping mobile homes to\nGuatemala for the use of the earthquake victims.\nComment: As explained in the draft reply, the State\nDepartment has checked with the Department of Housing\nand Urban Development and has determined that mobile\nunits would be too expensive to purchase and transport\nto Guatemala. AID will be purchasing metal roofing\nsheets as a quicker and more economical way to provide\nshelter.\nYou sent the Congressman an interim reply on\nFebruary 27.\nA draft reply is attached at Tab A. The incoming letter is\nattached at Tab B.\nAttachments\nFORD LIBRARY &\nSUGGESTED REPLY\nDear Mr. Fuqua:\nThe President asked me to reply further to your letter of February 15\nsuggesting the use of mobile homes to provide shelter for the victims of\nthe recent earthquake in Quatemala. We asked the Department of State\nto look into the logistics involved in your interesting idea.\nThe Department of Housing and Urban Development does maintain several\nthousand mobile home units in various locations around the United States\nfor use as temporary shelter for victims of natural disasters. Unfortunately,\nthese units are quite large, about 65 feet long, and cost on the average\naround $5,000 each, not including transportation. Shipping these units\nto Guatemala and then relocating them in the mountainous regions where\nmost of the earthquake victims live would be an additional and quite\nsubstantial expense.\nBecause of the limited availability of funds, and the need to act quickly\nbefore the advent of the rainy season in May, the Agency for International\nDevelopment, which is coordinating US relief efforts, believes that faster,\nmore widespread and more economical relief for the homeless can be\nobtained by concentrating on shelters that can be constructed with\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\n2\nmaterials already available in Guatemala or in neighboring countries,\nor that can be shipped in bulk from the US. Steel or aluminum roofing\nsheets are a case in point. AID is in the process of purchasing a sub-\nstantial number of these sheets for distribution through voluntary agencies\nalready working in Guatemala.\nSince almost all of the victims of the earthquake will be reconstructing\ntheir homes out of adobe, which is their traditional building material,\nAID is also providing assistance to demonstrate some simple techniques\nthat will make the adobe bricks stronger and more stress-resistant.\nStrengthened walls and stronger and lighter metal roofs should provide\nfor a sturdier and more earthquake resistant home that can be erected\nby an individual family.\nWe thank you again for your suggestion and for your interest in this\nmatter.\nSincerely,\nHonorable Don Fuqua\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nFORD LIBRARY & 03\n1266\n2-26\nDON FUQUA\n2266 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\n2D DISTRICT\nFLORIDA\naid for\nUNITED\nCONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES\nHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nFebruary 25, 1976\nMF\nThe President\nThe White House\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Mr. President:\nThis nation and the world are deeply concerned over the plight of the\npeople of Guatemala where tens of thousands have been left destitute and\nwithout adequate food and housing.\nIt has come to my attention that our government owns thousands of mobile\nhomes and this could prove to be a source of immediate housing for many\nof these homeless families if they could be shipped to that unfortunate\nland. It is my suggestion that some thought be given to the use of\nthese mobile homes in this fashion since they are readily available and\nwould help bring this grief stricken land back to its feet.\nAny attention which can be given this request will be deeply appreciated.\nUnique\nDF/Wcb\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\n1226\nLow\nMarch 16, 1976\nof\nDear Mr. Fugus:\nThe President asked se to reply further to your letter\nof February 15 suggesting the use of mobile homes to\nprovide shelter for the victims of the recent earth-\nquake in Customals. We asked the Department of State\nto look into the logistics involved in your interesting\n1dea.\nThe Department of Housing and Urban Development does\nmaintain several thousand mobile home units in various\nlocations around the United States for use as temporary\nshelter for victims of natural disasters. Unfortunately\nthese units are quite large, about 65 feet long. and\ncost on the avarage around $5,000 each, not including\ntransportation. Shipping these units to Guatenala and\nthen relocating them in the countainous regions were\nmost of the earthquake victims live would be an additional\nand quite substantial expense.\nBecause of the limited availability of funds, and the\nneed to act quickly before the advent of the rainy coason\nin May, the Agency for International Development, which\nis coordinating U.S. relief efforts, believes that faster,\nmore widespread and more economical relief for the home-\nless can be obtained by concentrating on shelters that\ncan be constructed with naterials already available in\nGuatemala or in neighboring countries, or that cas be\nshipped in bulk from the U.S. Steel or aluminum roofing\nsheets are a case in point. AID is in the process of\npurchasing a substantial number of these shoots for\ndistribution through voluntary agencies already working\nin Cuatemala.\nSince almost all of the victims of the earthquake will\nbe reconstructing their homes out of adoba, which in their\ntraditional building material, AID is also providing\nassistance to demonstrate some simple techniques that will\nmake the adobe bricks stronger and more stress-rosistent,\nFORD\n?\nGERALD\nLionahy\n2\n-rengthened walls and stronger, lighter metal roofs\nshould provide for a sturdier, more earthquake resistant\nhome that can be erected by an individual family.\nWe thank you again for your suggestion and for your\ninterest in this matter.\nSincerely,\nVernon c. Loan\nDeputy Assistant\nto the President\nThe Honorable Don Fuqua\nHouse of Representatives\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nbcc: NSC (Log #1226) PYI\nVCL:NSC:JEB:mlg\nGERALD\nA FORD LIBHARY\n6\nMEMORANDUM\n1149\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506\n(Correspondence Referral)\nMarch 24, 1976\nTO:\nROLAND ELLIOTT\nFROM:\nJEANNE W. DAVIS\nREFERENCE:\nTo: The President Date: February 24, 1976\nFrom: John Bird\nSubject: Morrow Associates and Emergency Supplies\nfor Guatemala.\nComment: No comment.\nA draft reply is attached at Tab A. The incoming letter is\nattached at Tab B.\nAttachments\nR FORD LIBRARY\nSUGGESTED REPLY\nDear Mr. Bird:\nI am writing in reply to your telegram of February 24 to\nPresident Ford concerning your firm's efforts to sell food and medical\nsupplies after the recent earthquake in Guatemala. I have asked the\nDepartment of State to look into the allegations that your firm was\ndiscriminated against in the purchase of relief supplies.\nThe United States acted very rapidly following the earthquake\nto provide emergency assistance. I enclose for your information a\n\"Report to the President\" that details some of our actions to rush food,\nmedical supplies, and hospital facilities to the victims. At the specific\nrequest of the Government of Guatemala, U.S. Government relief efforts\nwere concentrated almost entirely in the small villages and towns of the\nhardest hit rural areas. A 100-bed U.S. Army field hospital was set up\nin the small town of Chimaltenango and U.S. helicopters and mobile\nmedical teams brought food and medical assistance into the remotest\nareas of the Central Highlands. Almost all of the rehabilitation and\nreconstruction assistance that the U.S. Government plans to provide\nto Guatemala will likewise be concentrated in the rural areas outside\nof the capital city.\nGERALD R LIBRARY FORD\n2\nAs to the purchase of emergency supplies of food and medicine,\nstocks on hand in Guatemala, or donated free of charge by various\ncharitable, civic, and business organizations, and foreign governments,\nincluding the U.S., were sufficient to meet emergency needs. Because\nof the generosity of the various donors, it was not necessary to purchase\nadditional imported supplies.\nI can recognize your disappointment that the firms you represent\nwere not able to market their products in Guatemala immediately after\nthe earthquake. I have been assured, however, that none of the actions\ntaken by representatives of the U.S. Government were intended to block\nthe sales efforts of U.S. firms. Our single objective was, and is, to\nhelp provide emergency assistance to the victims of the earthquake in\nthe quickest, most efficient way.\nSincerely,\nMr. John Bird\nMorrow Associates\n4028 Daley Street, Suite 104\nFort Worth, Texas 76118\nGERALD & LERRARY FORD\nDEPARTMENT OF STATE\nAGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT\nWASHINGTON\nTHE ADMINISTRATOR\nFebruary 16, 1976\nSPECIAL REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT\nON THE GUATEMALA DISASTER\nIn seismic terms, the Guatemalan earthquakes were \"major\";\nin human terms, this disaster must be ranked as a tragedy of\ngreat and terrible magnitude. Based on my visit to Guatemala\non February 12 and 13, I will attempt first to give you a\nbrief overview of the disaster and its setting.\nGeneral Situation\nThe major shock area is large - about 3,530 square miles, or\nequivalent to the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek area\nof Michigan. 1.03 million people populate the area and 80 -\n90 percent are now homeless. In the entire affected area,\n22,360 are dead, 74,000 were injured and over one million\nwere left homeless. (The wife of President Laugerud,\nconcentrating on assistance to children, estimates at least\n5,000 children became orphaned.) Overall, 20 percent of the\ncountry's people are directly affected. I should mention\nthat as harder information comes in, the numbers keep rising.\nIn U.S. terms, comparable figures would mean 2,800,000\nkilled and injured and 38,000,000 homeless.\nThe greatest impact is upon the poor - and it is essentially\na rural disaster. The rural poor cluster their small adobe\nhomes in villages. Adobe brick walls, while they look\nFORD\nsubstantial, are not strong. They collapsed allowing the\n&\nheavy clay tile roofs to fall in on the sleeping victims.\nThe urban poor live in make-shift shacks which simply fell\napart.\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nIt is relevant to make two interesting side comments to the\nabove. First, the casualty toll was great and the count was\ndifficult to make because so many victims were trapped,\nunable to get outside before their dwelling collapsed during\nthe approximate thirty seconds of the main shock. Second,\nconventionally built homes, especially the newer, though\ndamaged, were not destroyed, thus inflicting fewer and less\nserious casualties.\n- 2 -\nCompounding the dimensions of the disaster was that it took\nplace at 3:02 a.m., the time when the greatest proportion of\nthe population was inside, asleep and not alert to respond\nquickly. And adding at least to the confusion was the\ndarkness. Where electricity existed, it was cut or turned\noff to reduce chances for fire and electrocution from exposed,\nhigh-tension lines.\nOutside Guatemala City, the terrain, rugged, mountainous,\nprobably of volcanic formation, makes communications of any\nkind (roads, phones, even radio) difficult even in normal\ncircumstances. Thus, in the vast hard-hit rural area virtu-\nally all immediate relief assistance was limited to that\navailable locally. The sudden, gigantic and urgent needs\nfor emergency help, tools, medicines were largely unmet\nduring the crucial early hours and first days until rescuers\ncould make their way in by some means.\nBefore turning to the response stage, I would like to mention\nanother facet, parenthetically. Your description to me of\nthe unusual nature of an earthquake you had seen some years\nago in Yugoslavia was confirmed. It is awesome. It is\nalmost eerie. Unlike other types of disasters, there is no\nclear-cut point marking the end of exposure to further risk.\nMore than 600 tremors have been felt since the first quake.\nThey are still happening. Several of the many I felt were\nsevere enough shocks to do additional damage and to be\nvisible in the sense of seeing the movements of the building\nI was in.\nThis has resulted in a widely felt sense of insecurity. A\nview of Guatemala City from a helicopter reveals tents in\ngardens, parks and on the sidewalk or street in front of\nhomes seemingly and reportedly not seriously damaged. Also,\nmany people sleep in their cars, if they don't have tents or\nother shelter from the very cool nights.\nMy impression is that, in immediate response to the disaster,\nvirtually everyone who wasn't a victim turned, unhesitatingly,\nto aid others. President Laugerud, for example, took direct\npersonal command immediately and was even able to check on\nFORD\none hospital's response capability within 27 minutes after\n&\nthe quake.\nThis self-initiated individual type of response quickly\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nbecame organized by entity, e.g., government ministry,\nchurch or civic group, and voluntary agency. Then with the\nformation of the National Emergency Committee by the Presi-\ndent there came the means of beginning to coordinate activ-\nities for a national response, including the allocation of\nassistance resources to areas of priority need.\n- 3 -\nI. Assessment of Damage\nA. Physical Damage\nDamage is concentrated in the densely populated Indian-\ninhabited Eastern Highlands, portions of the capital city\nand wide areas to the west, roughly 20 percent of the area\nof the country. A number of important rural population\ncenters in the affected area were nearly totally destroyed,\nincluding Mixco (population 10,900), San Pedro (4,800),\nPatzicia (7,100), Patzun (8,300), Joyabaj (2,400), Tecpan\n(5,900), San Juan Sacatepequez (6,700), and E1 Progreso\n(4,000).\n1. Housing and Other Building Damage\nBy far the most devastating impact of the earthquake was on\nthe housing of the poor. The great majority of Guatemala's\npopulation resides in small towns and rural areas in adobe\nhouses. Over 150,000 of these are estimated by the Govern-\nment of Guatemala to have collapsed. In Guatemala City,\nsome 100,000 dwellings of the urban poor were destroyed.\nThe value of these urban and rural dwellings has not been\ndetermined. In most cases, they were built by the families\nwho occupied them. It is probable that they will be rebuilt\nin the same fashion. A rough estimate of the financial\ncosts of replacement might range from $150-$250 million,\ndepending on whether new construction will adopt earthquake\nresistant design improvements.\nThere was, of course, loss to commercial, church, and public\nbuildings, essentially in the small rural towns. No estimates\nare available, as yet, on these losses.\nSeveral major hopsitals in the capital were damaged by the\nquake and their staffs have been operating in other available\nbuildings on a make-shift basis, pending assessment, repair,\nor replacement of damaged hospitals. Hospitals in several\nother communities were also severely damaged, as were many\nhealth centers and health posts.\nFORD\n&\n2. Infrastructure\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n(a) Transport and Communications\nThe Guatemala City-Puerto Barrios highway and railroad, the\nprimary transportation links from the capital to the Caribbean\ncoast, have been cut because of a three-span fallen bridge\nand numerous landslides. A U.S. military engineer survey\nteam is now in the field assessing the extent of damage.\n- 4 -\nA much more circuitous road from the coast to the capital is\nstill open, but cannot handle the entire heavy traffic load\nthat normally passes between the capital and the coast.\nPreliminary estimates of the cost of restoration of the road\nfrom Guatemala to the Caribbean approach $25 million. In\nmany areas of the highlands, roads also have been blocked by\nnumerous slides. An estimate of cost of restoring major and\nsecondary roads throughout the damaged area is $35 million,\nof which the major cost will probably be for the main highway\nartery to Puerto Barrios. The cost to repair the railroad\nis not yet known.\nTelephone communications, never particularly good, have been\nseverely damaged by the quake. Phone lines are down through-\nout the affected area. Restoration is under way. However,\nit will be some weeks before all major phone lines are\nrepaired.\n(b) Water and Electricity\nThe first earthquake left approximately 40 percent of the\nresidents of the capital without water supplies, and the\nwater supplied to other sections of the city was unprotected\nby chlorination. This situation has improved marginally\nsince then, due to emergency repairs and to increased chlorin-\nation. In many smaller cities, the water supply and distri-\nbution systems were partially destroyed, although the main\nwater sources and storage systems remain relatively intact.\nRestoration and improvement of all of these systems will\nrequire major effort.\nElectricity in Guatemala City is back on. However, regional\ntransmission as well as local distribution of power service\nto many localities in the interior has been and still is\ndisrupted.\nFORD\n&\nB. Economic Impact\n1. Balance of Payments Effects\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nFortunately, Guatemala enjoyed a relatively strong balance\nof payments position in 1975. Its net foreign exchange\nreserves increased from the end of 1973 to the end of 1975\nfrom $201 million to $280 million, a level equal to approxi-\nmately four months of imports. Still too early to project\nthe effects of the earthquake on Guatemala's foreign exchange\nposition, it is clear the tourism income, which reached $70\nmillion in foreign exchange earnings in 1975, will decline\nand probably sharply. While, in the overall, hotels are\nonly slightly damaged, some suffered heavy damage. It will\nbe some time before prospective visitors regain confidence\nand resume their travels to Guatemala.\n- 5 -\nMore importantly, the earthquake is expected to cause a\nsignificant upsurge in imports, particularly of glass,\nconstruction materials, and equipment. Some stocks of\nmanufactured goods will also have to be replaced. Guate-\nmala's main foreign exchange earners other than tourism,\ni.e., coffee, sugar, cotton, bananas and meat, have not been\naffected, and almost all of its industrial production capac-\nity remains intact.\nAs its foreign debt service burden has been below 5 percent,\nGuatemala therefore has the capacity to borrow substantially\nto help finance its reconstruction and investment programs.\nHeavy reliance on large commerical borrowings, however,\nwould increase debt servicing costs rapidly.\n2. Budgetary Effects\nThe government's budgetary position, traditionally strong,\nwill certainly be adversely affected. Some reductions may\nbe expected in corporate and personal income tax collections\nas affected businesses write off their losses. Most signif-\nicant will be the effect of increased government expenditures\nfor relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The govern-\nment will be called upon to assist the rural and normally\npoor municipalities in restoring the water supply and other\nessential services and provide emergency assistance to the\nhomeless and medical assistance to the injured. Moreover,\ncredit for housing reconstruction will be needed for many of\nthe homeless. Unfortunately, these expenditures, either for\ntemporary or more permanent shelter, cannot be spread over a\nnumber of years but will have to be concentrated within a\nFORD\n&\nrelatively short period.\n3. Effect on Prices\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nPrice stability has long been a characteristic of the Guate-\nmalan economy, but that changed in 1973 and 1974 when, as\ndid many countries, Guatemala, largely from external causes,\nexperienced serious effects from inflation. However, by the\nend of 1975, price stability had significantly improved.\nStrong inflationary pressures are expected, as an aftermath\nof the disaster, in the area of construction and construction\nmaterials. Demand is expected to exceed substantially\navailable productive capacity. Wages in the construction\nindustry are expected to rise sharply. As an offset, the\njust completed harvests of corn, beans, and wheat were\nrelatively bountiful and can be expected to hold down price\nincreases in basic foodstuffs. However, large quantities of\ngrains were stored in and around homes and were partially\nlost. This may cause some increases in food prices.\n- 6 -\n4. Employment Effects\nA number of businesses, closed temporarily until power was\nrestored and repairs were made, are now reopening. However,\nmany neighborhood shops and small businesses have been\ncompletely destroyed. Tourism and arts and crafts, normally\nan important source of employment, may be depressed for at\nleast some months. Moreover, with SO many homes destroyed\nand material possessions lost, the arts and crafts industry,\nlargely a home industry, may suffer dislocation.\nThese adverse employment effects are expected to be of a\nshort-term nature. The intensive reconstruction effort will\nprovide additional jobs in the construction and construction\nmaterials industries. The manufacturing industry, which\naccounts for roughly 6 percent of the GNP, has not been\nseriously affected, and most major commerical establishments\neither have resumed, or soon will resume, operations.\nIn sum, the impact of the disaster on the balance of payments\nbudget, production, and employment is not expected to be\nunmanageable. In human terms, however, the disaster is\ntruly a disaster. Hardest hit were the poor, those who can\nleast afford to lose their employment, homes, and possessions.\nII. Disaster Relief\nA. Immediate Response\n1. Government of Guatemala\nA national emergency was declared immediately after the\nfirst earthquake. The military received and has exercised\nextraordinary powers to deal with the immediate relief\nproblems. The government has invested, and is investing,\nmassive effort in clearing roads of landslide debris,\ncompleting initial damage assessments and distributing\ngovernment food stocks. Price controls are being enforced\nto prevent the exploitation of temporary shortages. Citizens\ngenerally are contributing time and financing to help to\nsave lives and feed the most affected. Private sector\nresources, whether channeled through the Guatemalan Red\nCross or other organizations or provided on an individual\nbasis, have played a significant role in speeding relief to\nthose affected by the earthquake. The mass of the popula-\ntion is \"cooperating\" by its patience, and an almost stoical\ncapacity for suffering.\nFORD\na\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 7 -\nThe Guatemalan Government has formed a National Emergency\nCommittee to coordinate the government relief efforts and\nthe generous assistance being provided by the U.S. and other\ndonors. The coordination task is large, complex and contin-\nuing. The improving communications system and the growing\nexperience of the government point toward the easing of the\ncoordination problem.\nThere have been but few reports of looting, with the govern-\nment moving quickly to deal with any reported problem.\nDuring our visit we heard no complaints about diversion of\nrelief supplies.\n2. United States Government\nWithin hours after the first quake, the U.S. country team in\nGuatemala and A.I.D.'s Foreign Disaster Relief Center were\nin operation on a 24-hour basis. Quickly, we began to move\nin supplies, equipment, and personnel. Among the first\narrivals was a U.S. military Disaster Assistance Survey Team\n(DAST) from Panama. This was followed quickly by a fully-\nequipped and staffed 100-bed U.S. military field hospital\nthat is in operation in the center of the hardest-hit area -\nChimaltenango.\nSubsequently, we provided a U.S. Engineering Survey Team to\nassess damage to roads, bridges, and railroads; 18 large\nhelicopters; 8 two-man medical/communications teams to\nassess needs and provide medical assistance in isolated\nareas; and a considerable amount of tents, medical supplies,\nfield kitchens, generators, etc., from A.I.D.'s disaster\nrelief stockpile in Panama. Two medical officers from the\nCommunicable Disease Center in Atlanta and two U.S. Public\nHealth Service pharmacists are assisting the Guatemalans in\nestablishing systems to survey disease outbreaks and in\norganizing the receipt, storage, and use of the large\nquantities of donated medical supplies. We are also funding\nthe transportation costs for certain high-priority relief\nshipments by voluntary agencies. Most of our efforts are\nconcentrated in the hardest-hit areas of the highlands\naround Chimaltenango, for the Guatemalan Government has\nFORD\n&\nasked us to concentrate our resources on this area, which\nwas almost totally devastated.\nAs of February 14, we have allocated $3.6 million to this\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\neffort. The cost of relief over a 30 to 60-day period may\nrequire up to $20 million, depending on the timing for the\nphasing down of helicopter and field hospital use.\n- 8 -\n3. Other Donors\n(a) Third Country and International Organizations\nRelief Assistance\nThus far, 24 nations other than the United States (and the\nlist is growing) have contributed to the relief effort.\nContributions are being made in cash, personnel, transport,\nfood and other commodities. I am attaching hereto a listing\nof third-country assistance based on the information currently\navailable to us (TAB A).\nInternational organizations are also responding to the needs\nof the immediate relief phase. Their known contributions,\nwhich already amount to over $3.6 million, are listed in\nattachment TAB B.\n(b) Voluntary Agencies\nVoluntary agencies, such as CARE, Catholic Relief Services\n(CRS), Caritas, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Seventh\nDay Adventists, Partners of the Americas (Alabama), and a\nhost of others, including from other countries, have provided\nand are providing generous and effective support as they put\nto quick use long and practical experience in dealing with\ndisasters. There is no reliable estimate yet available of\nthe financial value of their assistance. A listing, based\non currently known information, is also attached (TAB C).\nB. Post-Immediate Relief Phase\nWe are now at a time when immediate relief requirements are\nmoving into manageable proportions. Medical emergency needs\nhave been largely identified and satisfied, but certainly\nnot entirely, particularly in the more remote rural areas.\nIn-country stocks of medicines, bolstered by donations still\narriving, should be adequate to satisfy requirements, although\nthere may be specialized needs from time to time which\ngenerally can be handled by other donors and private voluntary\norganizations. The major hospitals in Guatemala City are\nfunctioning well and are meeting the immediate needs for\nmedical and surgical care.\nNo signs of epidemics have appeared. The process of restoring\nwater services in rural towns, as well as in parts of Guatemala\nCity, is moving ahead rapidly with provision for proper\ntreatment of water supplies receiving high priority. Apart\nfrom the need for a relatively minimal quantity of tools and\nsupplies in addition to the water storage tanks already\nsupplied by the U.S., completion of temporary repairs to\nFORD\n&\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 9 -\nwater systems in the affected area should be possible without\nsignificant further external relief requirements.\nWater supply capacity in the capital is back to about 50\npercent of pre-earthquake levels. Shortage of supply is of\nlesser concern than is quality. The municipal water plants\nare chlorinating the water being distributed, but damage to\nthe city's parallel water and sewage pipe systems has rendered\nsupply potentially unsafe. Attention is being given to this\nproblem by the government with assistance by the U.S. and\nothers. The monitoring by the health authorities of hospitals\nand clinics is continuing in order to detect as quickly as\npossible any emerging health problems.\nThe major continuing problem, for the short and long run, is\nthe need to provide adequate shelter to the many homeless.\nGiven the relatively modest aspirations of the rural popula-\ntion, provisional needs increasingly are being met by the\ngovernment and several donors. However, additional new\ninputs for this purpose are being considered by others.\nProperly handled, temporary shelter solutions can form the\nbasis for rapidly resolving permanent housing needs through\nself-help programs utilizing simple materials and tools.\nBarring further major quakes, a reasonable degree of normal\neconomic activity and public services should be restored and\nin place in all but the remote areas by the end of this\nmonth or early March. An important factor bearing on this\nprocess, however, will be the rapidity with which closed\nroads are opened to permit access for the movement of food\nand other commodities. While there is no possibility that\nthe main highway to Puerto Barrios can be opened within this\ntime frame, temporary bypass construction will be needed.\nIn-country equipment capacity should be sufficient to handle\ngeneral road clearing work, but preliminary surveys by the\nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers of Atlantic highway damage\nindicate that reopening of the highway will require a major\neffort, expecially if the work called for along the fifty\nmiles primarily affected is to be completed by the advent of\nthe rainy season in mid-May and which normally continues\nuntil November. Whether this operation, located in rugged,\ndifficult terrain, is within the country's capability must\nawait completion of the in-depth damage assessment by the\nCorps of Engineers and a review of construction capacity now\nbeing carried out by the Ministry of Public Works. Decisions\nare expected shortly. Opening the road is obviously one of\nthe priority tasks. The government, with its own facilities,\nhopes to be able to restore the railroad link before the\nrainy season.\nFORD\nA.\nGERALD\n- 10 -\nFood stocks, augmented through foreign donations, should be\nsufficient for the next few months. There will be continuing\ndifficulties, however, in ensuring adequate supplies in all\nareas because of access problems.\nIII. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction\nEven while the Guatemalans struggle to deal with the emergency\nneeds facing them, attention must be given, and is being\ngiven, to the next phases, i.e., the shorter-run rehabilita-\ntion task and the longer-run reconstruction task. There is\nno clear line distinguishing between these phases, and they\nare not necessarily successive in time sequence, as some\nmust proceed in planning and execution simultaneously.\nEssentially, what is involved are decisions on policies and\nactions for interim and long-term responses to the conse-\nquences of the disaster.\nAfter a relatively long period of slow economic growth,\nGuatemala, in recent years, has begun to develop a national\nnetwork of public services with increased capacity to attend\nto the development needs of the large mass of rural and\nurban poor. The interruption caused by the earthquake in\nthis delayed process of spreading the benefits of develop-\nment to perhaps 80 percent of Guatemala's people poses not\nonly a humanitarian problem but a challenge of fundamental\nimportance to the future course of that nation. In recog-\nnition of this fact, President Laugerud has announced that\nit will be the policy of his government to continue overall\ndevelopment efforts for the entire country, guided by the\n1975-79 Development Plan. The necessary rehabilitation and\nreconstruction efforts in the earthquake affected areas are\nobviously of high priority, but this priority should desir-\nably not deter the government from its development efforts\nto improve the quality of life of the poor Guatemalans.\nThe National Economic Planning Council is about to complete\nan initial assessment of damage cost and economic impact\nprojections which will form the basis for more precise\nestimates of external assistance needs and internal self-\nhelp capacity. Major capital inputs will obviously be\nrequired for housing, road repair, public infrastructure\n(schools, medical centers and hospitals, water supply\nsystems, and public buildings), small business rehabili-\ntation and communication facilities. Moreover, small farmer\nproductivity must be assured through effective and timely\nprovision of normal governmental and cooperative services\n(credit, technical assistance, distribution of improved\nFORD\nseeds and fertilizers, etc.). The extent to which this\n&\ninstitutional infrastructure has been disrupted in the\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 11 -\naffected areas is not yet fully dotermined, but it is impor-\ntant that it be in place and functioning within the next 6-8\nweeks in anticipation of the May planting season. Obviously,\nprojections of future food import needs will be influenced\nby how well the planting goes in the affected area which,\noutside of Guatemala City, is largely populated by small,\nsubsistence-level farmers.\nIV. Resources for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction\nA. Guatemalan Self-Help Measures\nThe administration of President Laugerud has been distin-\nguished by its dedication to accelerating programs with\nimpact in the long-neglected social areas. A competent\nmanagerial team within his cabinet has pushed forward major\ndevelopment projects, ranging from improved water supply to\ngreatly increased electric power that had begun, before the\ndisaster, to move Guatemala into the forefront of the\nCentral American countries in terms of growth. If, as we\nhope, major economic activity quickly will be restored to\nthe pre-earthquake level and fiscal progress can be main-\ntained and intensified to help carry the heavy burdens now\nplaced upon the population, Guatemala should be in a posi-\ntion to help finance a major portion of the programs re-\nquired to regain and surpass its pre-earthquake situation.\nThe Guatemalan authorities stress their recognition that the\nfoundation of Guatemala's recovery cum development thrust\nwill rest solidly on its own self-help measures. They\nfurther recognize that external assistance will depend\nheavily on demonstration of such self-help. It is too soon\nto judge whether it will be possible for the government to\npursue fully recovery and development simultaneously.\nFortunately, as noted, at the time of the disaster, Guatemala\nwas in a relatively strong financial and economic situation\nwhich can bolster the self-reliance underpinning of their\nlaudable approach. Some tradeoffs may be necessary, however.\nA major question in the post-earthquake period situation is\nthe administrative and managerial capacity of Guatemalan\ninstitutions to handle the increased burdens of a recon-\nstruction program. This is understandable because of the\nburdens being placed on top of the normal ones already\nassociated with implementing an active and expanding develop-\nment program. Preliminary consideration is being given to\ncreating a special reconstruction entity. Such an entity\nwould have the responsibility and authority to plan and\ndirect the utilization of all resources destined for recon-\nFORD\nstruction. An important benefit of this approach would be\n?\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 12 -\nthat the entity would be in a position to hire or have\nassigned to it top-notch, qualified personnel, thereby\navoiding the problem of overloading existing ministerial\nstaffs. Presumably, the new entity would also be granted\nemergency powers, enabling it to bypass many of the Guate-\nmalan Government's present internal administrative proce-\ndures, thus speeding up project implementation.\nB. External Assistance\n1. United States\nApart from immediate assistance provided to meet the initial\nemergency and which will be phased down with the decreasing\nneed for such assistance, the question of further U.S.\nassistance can be approached from two levels. The first\nessentially involves reviewing existing loan and grant\nprojects to determine whether restructuring would be feasi-\nble. This examination is underway. Fortuitously, A.I.D.\nrecently (December 1975) had authorized a $13 million loan\nfor small farmer development which is directed at the\nHighland Indian farmer. The Minister of Finance has indi-\ncated that the Guatemalan Government wishes to sign the loan\nagreement immediately. Our preliminary assessment is that\nessentially no restructuring will be necessary to ensure\nconcentration of resources where needed. Also, the Govern-\nment of Guatemala and A.I.D. signed in November 1975 a $7\nmillion rural primary education loan which included approx-\nimately $4.2 million for up-grading school buildings pri-\nmarily in the Highland area. Some reorientation of prior-\nities in this program will likely be required in terms of\nschool site selection, but, essentially, this loan is\navailable to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction\neffort. Also, additional U.S. Government support, through\nthe U.S. International Disaster Assistance Authority, for\nthe early rehabilitation effort is being considered, pending\nfurther assessment of identified needs. The assessment is\nalready underway and will require continuing close coor-\ndination with the government, other donor nations, and\ninternational organizations. Only until we know more of the\nnature and substance of the international and Guatemalan\nGovernment's national response can we establish our own\npriorities and clarify possible additional funding require-\nments.\nU.S. voluntary agencies possess large capabilities, unique\nto each voluntary agency, which can play an important role\nin the rehabilitation phase. They are on the ground with\nestablished delivery systems which can meet the needs of\nFORD\nmany disaster victims without further straining government\n?\ncapacity. We hope that this capacity will continue to be\nutilized in the post-relief phases.\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 13 -\nOver the next months, we anticipate that the Guatemalan\nGovernment's planning process will identify specific, longer-\nrun needs which could appropriately be met through A.I.D.\ndevelopment loans and grants and which would clearly be\nconsistent with congressional mandate criteria for develop-\nment assistance. We should seek to be responsive within the\nmeans that may be made available through the appropriation\nprocess.\n2. External Assistance from Other Sources\nFor the post-emergency relief phase, I believe that the\nmajor burden of external assistance can be carried by the\nmultilateral agencies, particularly the International Bank\nfor Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the Inter-\nAmerican Development Bank (IDB). The major requirements for\nshelter and urban reconstruction, generally, as well as more\npermanent restoration of infrastructure (roads, bridges,\nrailroads, and ports), may well find substantial financing\nthrough these multilateral channels to supplement Guatemalan\nresources. It is interesting to note that only last month\nthe Inter-American Development Bank provided $135 million in\nloans for Guatemala (more than that country has had in total\nduring the previous fifteen years of the Bank's existence).\nPortions of these may be redirected as a result of the\ndisaster. Both financial institutions are already planning\ntheir active involvement. An IDB team has already been to\nGuatemala and a World Bank team is being dispatched shortly.\n3. Coordination\nLeadership in the coordination of the rehabilitation and\nreconstruction efforts has to come from the Guatemalans.\nThey know it. With the support of ourselves and the many\nothers interested in helping Guatemala, they can well perform\nthe task. We anticipate that a consultative arrangement\namong donors and lenders will develop to insure a maximum,\ncoordinated effort.\nV. Contingency Planning for Possible Future Disasters\nEven now, the Government of Guatemala must significantly\nstrengthen its contingency planning for future disasters.\nRegrettably, the possibility cannot be ruled out that Guate-\nmala, much of which is located along the long east-west\nMotaqua Fault, may still face other quakes.\nThe U.S. Government can provide technical assistance to\nFORD\n&\nthe Guatemalans for contingency planning. We plan to help\nGuatemala lay out the various options it may have for\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 14 -\nresponding to any future natural disasters. We feel that\nmore can be done to help the Guatemalan Government not to be\ntaken by total surprise in the event of another major disaster.\nFor example, United States Geologic Survey Geologists are\nnow monitoring the tensions of the fault line which runs\nnear Guatemala City. The tension has not yet abated fully\nand, with sophisticated monitoring devices, we may be able\nto provide the Guatemalan Government with some forewarning\nof another major earthquake.\nBecause the terrain of this country has changed significantly\nin some areas, we are alerting the Guatemalan Government to\nthe concern that flooding of abnormal proportions may occur\nthis year. Members of the U.S. Army Engineering Survey Team\nare making assessments of some possible waterways that may\ncause flooding damage to the already-disrupted major highway\nto the sea.\nMr. President, the government and the people of Guatemala\nhave responded well to the aftermath of the disaster.\nCertainly, there were and, indeed are, problems of coor-\ndination and maximum effective use of domestic and foreign\nresources; but the consensus of experienced observers is\nthat the Guatemalan effort, given the enormity of its tasks,\nhas responded well. They merit the continuing help from the\nUnited States and others.\nPresident Laugerud asked that I convey to you, on behalf of\nhimself and his people, the deepest appreciation for your\npersonal interest and support. He stressed that it was not\nonly the important technical and material assistance being\nprovided by the U.S. Government and people but also the\nmoral encouragement and bolstering derived by his government\nand the Guatemalan people from the spirit and timeliness of\nthat support. He emphasized, too, his recognition that\nGuatemala itself must bear the major burden of the present\nand continuing costs of the disaster and that the nature and\nextent of its self-help measures will help determine the\nnature and extent of external support.\nI wish also to commend to you all elements of the U.S.\ncountry team. Under the active leadership of Ambassador\nMeloy, they continue to devote themselves on a round-the-\nclock basis. I believe all the people of the United States\nmay be proud of the U.S. role in helping the Guatemalan\npeople in the traumatic aftermath of a major disaster.\nFORD\n?\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\n- 15 -\nWhile many other nations and organizations responded quickly\nwith supplies and personnel, the U.S. response, both public\nand private, was critical in averting a serious worsening of\nthe crisis.\nIn making the trip to Guatemala, I was joined by two con-\ngressional staff members, Ms. Herschelle Challenor of the\nHouse International Relations Subcommittee on International\nResources, Food and Energy, and Mr. Richard McCall legis-\nlative assistant to Senator Gale McGee, Chairman, Senate\nForeign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs.\nI am grateful for their participation. Mr. Herman Kleine,\nmy Assistant Administrator for Latin America, and Major\nMarshall N. Carter, USMC, a White House Fellow serving as my\nspecial assistant, also accompanied me. Their support is\ngreatly appreciated.\nDanilButh\nDaniel Parker\nAttachments:\nA - Third Country Donor Assistance\nB - International Organizations Assistance\nC - Voluntary Agency Assistance\nGERALD ? LIBRARY FORD\nis Scowerft\nThe White House\nWPD016\n552P EST FEB 24 76\nWAC365(1746)(2-046773E055)PD 02/24/76 @\nICS IPMBNGZ CSP\n1976 FEB 24 PM 5 59\n8175891441 TDBN FORT WORTH TX 222 02-24 0546P EST\nPMS PRESIDENT GERALD FORD, REPORT DELIVERY BY MAILGRAM, DLR\nWHITE HOUSE\nFEB 25 PM\nWASHINGTON DC\nMAIL RODI\nBSACK TM\nDENNIS MORROW AND ASSOCIATES REPRESENT FOUR SEPARATE COMPANIES WHO\nSELL EMERGENCY FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES. AFTER SPENDING\n37\nCONSIDERABLE TIME EFFORT AND MONEY, WE FEEL YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAS\nDISCRIMINATED AGAINST, AND BLOCKED, OUR ATTEMPTS TO ASSIST IN THE\nGUATEMALA EMERGENCY. THE GUATEMALA EMERGENCY DESK, STAFFED BY MRS\nWORSLEY OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC\nAFFAIRS, US EMBASSY IN GUATEMALA, MR FULLER, REFUSED TO RECIEVE OUR\nPERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, ATTORNEY DENNIS MORROW, NOW IN GUATEMALA,\nIN ORDER THAT HE MAY BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT OUR FIRMS' PROPOSALS AND\nASSISTANCE ON AN EQUAL BASIS, WITH OTHER AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL\nCOMPANIES. THIS IS NEGLECTING THE GUATEMALA PEOPLE IN THE\nOUTREACHING COUNTRYSIDES OF GUATEMALA. WE REALIZE THE CAPITOL CITY\nIS WELL ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY. MR FULLER'S ATTITUDE REFLECTS THE US\nEMBASSY AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION COULDN'T CARE LESS ON WHAT HAPPENS\nTO THE NATIVES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.\nFORD\nMR FULLER REFUSED TO GIVE MR MORROW A PROPER AUDIENCE OR TO\nINTRODUCE MR MORROW TO THE DECISION MAKING COMMITTEES.\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nIT APPEARS THAT MRS WORSLEY AND MR FULLER ARE ONLY DOING BUSINESS\nWITH VERY HIGH POLITICAL, INFLUENTIAL AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.\nFORM\nAS A LAST RECOURSE, WE REQUEST YOU TO INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION AS\nGOVERNMENT FINANCED PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE GUATEMALA EMERGENCY.\nJOHN BIRD\nMORROW ASSOCIATES\n4028 DALEY\nSUITE 104\nFORT WORTH TEXAS 76118\n8175891441\n8172684564\nNNNN\nGERALD R LIBRARY FORD"
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