Official History of the Bay of Pigs Operation- Volume 2- Part 1

sources.
desire for a more formal commitment for the United
States than he had received by mid-February of 1961.
In a lengthy exit session with Robertson at the time
of his departure (14 February 1961), the Nicaraguan
President emphasized how difficult it would be for
him to survive his pro-Castro opponents once Robertson
and Ambassador Whelan -- who was being replaced --
had both departed the country, unless the United States
provided him with some greater guarantees of support
for his assistance in the USG's anti-Castro activities.
As Somoza put it to Robertson, "I need to meet a man
who can say he just left Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Kennedy
sends assurances that we are all in this together." 50/*
When Robertson departed Nicaragua for Headquarters
on 14 February 1961, he received high marks from all
fabled back as follows:
-------
* Robertson noted that Somoza in response to a ques-
tion concerning whether Mr. Dulles was of sufficient
stature to give the proper assurances responded "that
certainly Mr. Dulles was of stature enough to be able
to assure him, but as he (Somoza) had pointed out to
his brother, General A. Somoza, Mr. Dulles had talked
'only in generalities' to the General, and had avoided
the main issue." This was with reference to the
General's visit to the US at the time of the Kennedy
inaugural. 51/
TOP