344. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Coordination, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (McAfee) to Director of Operations, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Gardner)1
SUBJECT
- ARA/CIA Meeting, 7 September 1973, 11:00
PARTICIPANTS
- ARA—Messrs. Kubisch, Shlaudeman and Amb. Bowdler;
- CIA—[names not declassified]; INR—William McAfee
Chile
Mr. Kubisch said he had met recently with the Acting Secretary for a discussion of Chile, that as the Department now see it our options are: if Allende continues on a hard line, we will continue our current approach; if Allende moderates, we will consider moderating our stance; [Page 894] if there should be a coup attempt, which appears likely to be successful and satisfactory from our standpoint, we will stand off; if there should be a coup, which might be viewed as favorable but which appears in danger of failure we may want a capability for influencing the situation. Mr. Kubisch asked [name not declassified] to give this problem attention and raise it for consideration at a later meeting.
[name not declassified] doubted at this point that there would be a military coup but indicated the possibility of a creeping coup. Mr. Shlaudeman for his part did not think a creeping coup [i.e., a constitutional thwarting of UP objectives by military cabinet members]2 was too likely and felt that if circumstances continued to deteriorate an armed coup might be likely.
[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Chile.]