243. Memorandum From Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
SUBJECT
- Rumor Concerning Chilean Intervention
At a social occasion this weekend, a friend who is close to a study group working on Latin American positions for Democratic candidates, told me he thought I should be aware of a rumor which is floating around town concerning Chile. According to him, the story being circulated is that:
—Last October you met with a representative or representatives of the copper companies and encouraged them to go ahead with a plan to try to overthrow Allende. You reportedly told them that their objectives were consistent with yours, though you would have to disavow them, of course, if their efforts became known publicly.
—The CIA was allegedly authorized to cooperate with the copper companies in this effort to overthrow Allende.
[Page 655]—Senator Fulbright reportedly became aware of the plans and called Helms in for a private meeting, at which time he warned Helms that if the overthrow efforts were not called off, he had enough evidence to blow the whistle publicly and would do so.
—The overthrow plan was reportedly called off as a result of Fulbright’s warning, but Fulbright and others will be watching very carefully to see what the administration does when Allende runs into an economic crunch.
I, of course, indicated that I knew nothing of such a plan, and said the whole story sounded ridiculous and far-fetched to me. I am passing it on to you, however, for whatever it is worth.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 775, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. V. Secret; Outside System. Sent for information. Sent through Haig who initialed the memorandum. Kissinger wrote at the top of the page, “Total nonsense. I have never met any copper company people.”↩