As U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua from July 1977 to February 1979, Mauricio Solaun was optimally placed to observe and influence the events that led to the 1979 Nicaraguan revolution. In this new book he sheds light on the difficulties of being a representative in disagreement with U.S. policy towards the Somoza regime, and how he feels the Carter administration's policy of financially supporting the regime while claiming a non-interventionist stance directly contributed to the ferocity of the revolution. Most notable in Solaun's writing is the detailed description of his management of relations with the Somoza regime, the opposition and its factions, and the U.S. government. He is forced to placate all sides while trying to avoid catatrophe, while the administration that appointed him tries to enforce a "non-interventionist" policy while ignoring facts on the ground. He is repeatedly undermined by career bureaucrats sent by Washington to 'fix' the situation, all who have little knowledge of Nicaraguan politics and its players. Somoza's frustrating egomaniacal personality is also showcased here, leaving little doubt as to who was ultimately responsible for the situation. He insists that Latin Americans are ill-disposed towards democracy, and need a 'firm hand' to guide them. His inappropriately-named Liberal Party throws him an extravagant birthday party in late '78, while completely ignoring the increasingly violent demonstrations against him. Solaun's U.S. Intervention and Regime Change in Nicaragua is a well-written, detailed account of the intricate political web that was spun by all the players that influenced the eventual outcome of revolution. This work gives those interested in U.S. foreign policy a very nuanced view of the hundreds of small and seemingly insignificant actions that can lead to a catastrophic and violent outcome.
I am looking forward to reading this book. Laurence Pezullo, who was one of those interfering bureaucrats Solaun blasts, had nothing good to say about Solaun in his book covering the same time period. So, it would be interesting to put them side by side! I have my own views, of course, since I lived in Nicaragua from 1966 to 1983 through those frightening last years of Somoza and the first years of the revolution. Carter's human rights policies were, of course, badly received by Somoza. But, it took a long time for them to have a real effect, given that the Carter administration wanted Somoza out but didn't want the Sandinistas in and therefore was always afraid to push Somoza too hard. I'll look for the book! When did it come out?
ReplyDeleteKatherine Hoyt
National Co-Coordinator
Nicaragua Network
www.nicanet.org
This book was only recently published, and I received an advance copy for working at a publishing company. It's quite expensive, but I'm sure some will appear on half.com before long.
ReplyDeleteThe book really threw my naive notions of diplomacy out the window. I had the impression that an ambassador like Solaun would have much more authority and that his opinions would count much more. They hardly paid attention to him or to anyone else on the ground who might have a good understanding of the politics of the country. It reminds me of the US administration now, when we are fighting wars in the Middle East without people that even speak the languages.