-- an - DEPARTMENT or STATE Memos-enacts of Conversation THE 1315 Poll I DATE December 14 1961 men The-White House sumac-r Labor Situation in British Guiana my PARTICIPANTS Hr Wendell Babb - General Secretary of the British Guiana Mine Workers Union Mr Don Clonse - United Steel Workers of America Mr Arthur Schlesinger - Special Assistant to the President Hr Backwood H Foster - Acting Officer__in Charge West Indies aria - - coal- To 13m enconsul GEORGETOW an nannies PORT or SPAIN S s - Anembassy manoe- labor- - - AID nan NE The White House Hr Schlesinger opened the conversation by asking Mr Bobb if he would discuss the labor situation in British Guiana Hr Babb said that the Jagan Government was actively pushing to enter the labor field and if possible capture political support from the trades union Both Canadian and American baud-to companies in British Guiana were being urged to employ a greater War of workers of Indian extraction He commented that in the past only Africans had been willing to undertake mining because of the-bad conditions Over the past few years the bannite- companies have improved conditions substantially and this form of employmeint had begun to attract Indian workers Hr Bobb observed that the leadership of the Trades Union Congress THC was in difficulties since it had supported the United Front HF and its leader Peter D'Aguiar during the recent election campaign The majority of - workers however being of African extraction had been supporters of the People's National Congress PRC and its leader Forbes Burnham In discussing the Man Power Citizens Association MPCA Hr Bobb observed that its leader Hr Ishmelres in serious trouble He was trying to hold down the position of General Secretary of this sugar union as well as his regular Job as principal in a high school Jagan and the People's Progressive Peril enigma I eao an -bl - a SANITIZED 5 0 12958 SEC 3 5 - i - avg 13 9'7 awhkm - Party wereopposedtolstmaelaudin'ying to stealHPGinembers over to the sponsored Sugar Workers Union SW The membership ofthe-m was highly critical of Ishmael since they charged him with ignoring their problems Mr Babb observed that the responsibiliues at the high school nadeitverydifficult Mr Ruppert Tello the former General Secretary of the Trade Union Council is now in Barbados Mr Babb understood that he is new for Peter B'iguiar's brewery there He did not expect that Tello uould become influential in the Barbados labor union since Mr Frank Welcott the nest in uential labor leader on the Island was opposed to him Babb Janet Jagan was working with Senator Ashton Chase that this would be very difficult to accquplish in ew of the heavy African membership of mm orga nisations - He felt that in due course Hrs Jagsn and Senator Chase would set up a separate labor organization which would be af- filiated with the World Federation of Trades Union WITH Hr Schlesinger mentioned that we had received a rumor about the impending separation of Janet Jagan and her husband He inquired as to the political effect which the break up of their marriage might have in British Guiana Hr Bobb remarked that these rumors had been circulating for some time and his initial reaction was that it would have little if any effect Later during the discussion Mr Bobb was told that miles Fitzpatrick had taken a boat to- England recently Mr Babb reacted sharply to this Hereire'rt i to this subject several times during the res the conversation giving the impression that the departure of Janet Jagan would hamper substantially effort to penetrate British Guiana's trade union movement Hr Schlesinger asked Mr Bobb for his opinion of Forbes Burnhan He mentioned that several English sources had engrossed some concern about Burnhan's reliability and financial honesty Mr Babb replied by explaining carefully that there was no alternative to Mr Barman- and that he was supporter ofthe PRC He seidhewas not anareof any financial irregularities in which Burnhan had been implicated - Hr Schlesinger described briefly to Hr Bobb the problems facing as policy Bepointedontthatiftheusshould extend assistance it would to some degree help Dr Jagan politically On the other hand if the us should deny an P assistance to British Guiana it uould mean that the legitimate needs of the people would not be met and those who are fighting for freedom would not-receive help Hr Babb er pressed his opinion that onbalancetheUS everyeffort to prevent Dr Jagan and the Hon getting all the credit 29m e Hr Bobb said he wished to ask several questions and began with a request for our assessment of Dr Jagan's econoadc views In the absence of Mr Schlesinger who was called to another meeting Mr Foster erpressed the personal opinion that Dr agan's economic views seemed old fashioned and behind the - times for a young political leader of an emerging nation The world's knowledge of economics and the problems of economic development had advanced substantially in the last few decades and Dr Jagan's economic philosophy seemed to reflect left- ag thought current in the early 1930's Hr Foster then informed Hr - Bobb of the contents of the press release issued with Dr Jagan's approval at the end of his recent visit and pointed out that the us had promised to help bring the most modern economic experience to bear on British Guiana's economic problems 112' Babb asked iE Jaga'n had mentioned at all to us his need for arms and annuities Mr Babb said that the had organized a volunteer group of some too hundred men which could if necessary supplement the police He also said that Dr Jagsn was trying to step up recruitment of Indians in the police force which was now largely composed of African patrolman Hr Foster said that he did not believe that this subject was raised during Dr Jagan's visit to Washington He doubted very much whether Dr Jagan would have thought the time appropriate to mention it to the United States Finally Mr Babb indicated his desire to establish a central library and branch facilities for trade union people throughout British Guiana He hoped to stock this library with books pamphlets and exhibits These would not only be on the subjects of labor interest but he hoped also that suitable anti-coma naterials could be included He mentioned in particular the USIS pamphlet What Can A Man Believe and asked if similar excellent publi- cations were available for distribution Hr Foster suggested that Mr Bobb discuss his project in detail with the recently arrived Public Affairs Officer Mr Koran at Georgetown He felt sure that Mr Horan would be very interested in this project and would be glad to cooperate as appropriate in obtaining suitable materials Hr Foster suggested also that Mr Bobb should see what assistance his fraternal contacts in Canadian and US Trades Union could provide to the library pointing out that UBIS could supply only a limited selection of materials which were of specific trade union interest This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu