"Learn from History", 31st Anniversary of the Assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 339 http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB339/index.htm

Document 4 February 19, 1980 Unclassified, Cable, “Text of Archbishop's Letter to President Carter“, 1 pp.United States Embassy. El Salvador Archbishop Romero addresses President Jimmy Carter, imploring him not to provide military aid or any other form of assistance that could exacerbate state violence targeting Salvadoran citizens. “I am very worried by the news that the government of the United States is studying a form of abetting the arming of El Salvador,” Romero writes. “The contribution of your government instead of promoting greater justice and peace in El Salvador will without doubt sharpen the injustice and repression against the organizations of the people which repeatedly have been struggling to gain respect for their fundamental human rights.” 

Document 5 March 1, 1980 Confidential, Cable, “Reply to Archbishop's Letter to President Carter“,1 pp.United States Embassy. El Salvador Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance responds to Archbishop Romero’s letter regarding criticisms of U.S. security assistance to El Salvador, assuring him that President Carter shares his concerns about the human rights of Salvadoran citizens. “Any equipment and training which we might provide would be designed to overcome the most serious deficiencies of the Armed Forces, enhancing their professionalism so that they can fulfill their essential role of maintaining order with a minimum of lethal force.”

Document 6 March 23, 1980 Confidential, Cable “Archbishop's Homily, March 23”, 4 pp.United States Embassy. El Salvador This cable reports on Archbishop Romero’s homily, the day before he was assassinated. He speaks of the increasing tension with Salvadoran security forces and condemns rampant killings: “In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression!”