Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXI, Chile, 1969–1973

338. Central Intelligence Agency Information Report¹

Washington, July 25, 1973.

SUBJECT

• Counter Insurgency Planning by Military

[4 lines not declassified]

1. ([less than 1 line not declassified] comment: [less than 1 line not declassified] provided information on a council of five flag-rank officers from each of the three military services which was established in the aftermath of the abortive military uprising of 29 June to discuss military concern over national security.)

2. [less than 1 line not declassified] council of flag-rank officers met to discuss the preparation of a counter-insurgency plan for the Armed Forces. This plan is near completion and lacks only the identification of priority targets and a listing of measures requiring inter-service coordination. Under this plan each of the three branches of the Armed Forces will have its own organization and responsibilities. Nevertheless, there will be inter-service groups set up to coordinate those activities requiring joint efforts. ([less than 1 line not declassified] comment: [less than 1 line not declassified] the council’s decision to prepare a counter-insurgency plan.)

3. The plotting officers within the Armed Forces are hoping that the truck owners’ strike scheduled for 26 July will be postponed until the council has an opportunity to complete its counter-insurgency plan which could be used as the basis for a coup d’état. For this reason Admiral Patricio Carvajal, Chief of the National Defense staff, tried to persuade Leon Vilarin, President of the Truck Owners’ Federation (SIDUCAM), to postpone his strike until the plan has finished. [18 lines not declassified]

4. Although the Air Force is not considering any action in conjunction with the truckers, they plan to remain on alert for a crisis that might develop as a result of the strike. In the meantime, Navy and Air Force plotters continue work closely together on their preparations for a coup d’etat and neither is planning a unilateral action. [less than 1 line not declassified] (comment: The plotting officers know of no lower-level officers’ plans to undertake independent military action.)

5. [7½ lines not declassified]

1. Source: Department of State, Virtual Reading Room, Document Collections, CIA Chile Declassification Project. Secret. The report is printed from a previously redacted copy; the original was not found.