Carter Jimmy

Jimmy Carter TLS: Regarding the "Nicaraguan crisis"

1p typed letter signed by former 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter (born 1924) as "Jimmy" at lower right. Written on March 14, 1986, [Atlanta, Georgia]. On watermarked cream stationery with "Jimmy Carter" letterhead emblazoned with a gilt embossed presidential seal at top. Expected light paper folds, and edge toning at bottom. Isolated minor foxing, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5". Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope with the return address listed as "Jimmy Carter / The Carter Center - Emory University / Atlanta, Georgia 30322" verso. Bearing a cancelled 22 cent U.S. stamp, postmarked from Plains, Georgia on March 17, 1986, and letter-opened at top.

When he wrote this letter to American diplomat Philip Habib, Jimmy Carter had been out of the Oval Office for over five years but was still very engaged in international politics. Habib, a career Foreign Service officer, had served as President Carter's Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs between 1977-1978. Habib had recently been appointed as President Reagan's Special Ambassador to Central America.

In part:

"It was good news to hear of your appointment as Special Ambassador to Central America.

As you may know, I was recently in Latin America where I met with the individuals involved in the various conflicts. In particular, I had extended meetings with the UNO and BOS directors, and the Sandinista leadership.

Yesterday, in Atlanta, I met with Brooklyn Rivera. He impressed me as a thoughtful, sincere, and legitimate representative of the Miskito people. I am convinced that Rivera must play an important part in any attempt to resolve the Nicaraguan crisis, and I think it necessary that he have an opportunity to explain to you his point of view. I greatly encourage you to meet with him…"

The "Nicaraguan crisis" mentioned by Carter was a 29-year-long period of political and military upheaval that would span the terms of seven U.S. presidents before it was finally resolved in 1990. The brutal and corrupt Somoza regime had been toppled in 1979, and in its vacuum, various political parties jockeyed for control, including the leftist Sandinistas (the Sandinista National Liberation Front, or FSLN), and the more reactionary U.S.-backed Contras. The United States had attempted to work with the Sandinistas during the Carter administration, but Reagan reversed this course and adopted more hawkish policies.

Identity politics was also an issue, as ethnic minority groups in Nicaragua fought for autonomy and resisted persecution and forced resettlement. Brooklyn Rivera--championed by Carter in this letter--advocated for the Miskito people whose lands traditionally extended along the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.

Philip Habib had joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1949; he eventually served in South Korea, South Vietnam, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada, New Zealand, and the Middle East. The New York Times eulogized Habib as "the outstanding professional diplomat of his generation in the United States."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.