82. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Chile.]
[K:] The big problem today is Chile.
P: Their stock market went to hell.
K: I had a call last night from McCone and Kendall this morning. McCone thinks it would be a catastrophe if we let it go. Latin American Bureau at State is against doing anything. Korry has stopped all appointments unless they come to him.
P: Did I see those instructions? I want to see them.
K: They came over here and one of my staff members agreed to it.
P: I am following it and I want a personal note to State that I want to see all cables to Chile.
K: Maybe I should send a backchannel to Korry saying you are interested in keeping it open.
P: By all means. I want an appraisal of what the options are. The options are having another run-off election.
K: Helms has sent someone down for a first hand look to give their appraisal.
P: Does State want to give them aid?
K: Let Alicande [Alessandri] come in and see what we can work out and work out opposition to him.
P: Like against Castro? Like in Czech.? The same people said the same thing. Don’t let them do that. Meyer knows better. Tell Kendall to call Meyer.
K: I did and he is beside himself. Augustin Edwards has escaped and is coming here Monday. I am going to meet with him on Monday for his feel of the situation.2
[Page 229]P: We don’t want a big story leaking out that we are trying to overthrow the Govt. We want his judgement on the possibility of a run-off election.
K: I will do that. That’s essential.
P: It’s going to hell so fast. Their stock market is down 50%.
K: Korry sent in a cable today that said while you meet in committees [omission is in the original]
P: Korry may have wanted to put us on the spot. He is a Kennedy Democrat. Get a backchannel to him right away.3
K: Exactly. We will have a meeting on Mon. The British Ambassador called this morning and said he feels he must greet you at Chequers. I know your preference but I said I would check with you and get back to him.
P: Lunch there? We will do it.
K: I will call Freeman.
- Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 364, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.↩
- Kissinger met with Kendall and Edwards for an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting on Monday, September 14. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–1976, Record of Schedule) No other record of this meeting has been found.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 83.↩