MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Phone Call from AMBANG, 1 April 1965
1. Subject phoned (collect) on 1 April to determine what information I had arrived at concerning the seizure of arms being made to his order by the ERQUIAGA Manufacturing Company.
2. I told him as far as we were able to determine on the basis of incomplete information that the arms had been seized by the State of California and that their legal right to effect the seizure is open to question. I said I could not give him more definite information because we are awaiting word on the specific statutory authority for the seizure.
3. He said that in view of this situation he will proceed on the premise that the arms will probably be returned and will continue efforts to arrange the exportation.
4. I told him that the seizure had caused quite a public stir in Costa Rica, and while we did not have all the facts, it might be well for him to check on the current climate there. He said he would.
5. He claims that he now has DR agreement to import the arms and that the question of re-export to Venezuela has been abandoned.
6. He will phone on 6 April to see if we have further information.
Thomas J. Flores
WH/C/COPS