The Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America 1954-1983 by Diederich Bernard

Author:Diederich, Bernard [Diederich, Bernard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography
ISBN: 9780720614886
Goodreads: 15806662
Publisher: Peter Owen
Published: 2012-11-01T07:12:16+00:00

In response, John Scali, US Ambassador to the UN and a former television newsman, said Torrijos was ‘knocking on an open door’ and that the ‘world knows the United States is ready to modernize our treaty arrangement with Panama to the mutual advantage of both countries’. Panama then introduced a resolution calling for the United States to draft without delay a new treaty that would guarantee Panama sovereignty over all its territory. The resolution won the support of thirteen of the fifteen delegates, with Britain abstaining. However, Scali, not at all happy, had to raise his right hand and cast the third US veto in the UN’s 27-year history. Panama’s Foreign Minister, Antonio (Tony) Tack, was jubilant. ‘The US vetoed the resolution, but the world vetoed the US,’ he said.

In a long three-page letter dated during the time the UN meeting in Panama was under way — 16 March 1973 — Graham, who could normally say a great deal in a small missive, lamented again being immobilized in Europe.

Unfortunately my sole excuse for visiting South America has gone now that I’ve finished my three-year-old novel (The Honorary Consul). I wish we could have another trip together like our Dominican one before you shake the dust off your feet. Have you any useful contacts, preferably English-speaking, in Panama as I really would rather like to visit that country perhaps in the summer or would it be a terrible climate then? I have managed to take Cuba in August without suffering too much …

Our letters — mine being the one commending Torrijos to Graham — had crossed! I quickly responded, telling him about Panama and the General. A meeting was all set if Graham wanted to go to Panama. I had arranged things with the General’s friend, Rory Gonzales, to ensure that Graham would be welcomed and well taken care of.

Had he packed his bags, Graham would have met the General years earlier than he did. But he was hesitant. It took another three years for his Panama adventure to materialize. In his 25 April 1973 reply, he wrote:

Many thanks for your long and useful letter about Panama. I shall certainly write you if I decide to go and contact the man Rory Gonzales … I haven’t yet made up my mind as Playboy wants me to go to South Africa which I have always wanted to visit, but the problem there is that my chief friend is the Afrikaans novelist Etienne Leroux and I don’t want to get him into trouble. If I go to Panama I will try and stop off and see you. I am delighted to hear you have given up the idea of New Zealand.

I had mentioned in my letters how our children wanted to move to New Zealand because they were in love with the farms and horses. Graham opposed the move. He was certain I would die of boredom. Boredom, he warned, must be avoided at all cost. It was life’s real enemy.

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