American Republics Regional
31. Memorandum From Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Nachmanoff provided Kissinger with briefing material for his upcoming luncheon meeting with the Argentine, Brazilian, and Uruguayan Ambassadors to discuss regional security, Chile, and trade issues.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 768, Country Files, Latin America, Argentina, 1969–August 31, 1971. Confidential. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “HAK has seen.” Attached but not published are Tabs A, B, and C. Tab A is background on Argentina, Tab B is background on Brazil, and Tab C is background on Uruguay. Also attached is telegram 517 from Brasilia, November 12. It is published as Document 129. Although no record of the meeting was found, Kissinger’s Record of Schedule indicates the meeting occurred at the Argentine Ambassador’s residence from 12:51 to 2:36 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Papers of Henry A. Kissinger, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–76, Record of Schedule)
32. National Security Study Memorandum 108
President Nixon directed that a review be made of U.S. policy toward Latin America, including options to improve bilateral political relations, focusing specifically on trade and development assistance, security assistance, strengthening the OAS, and expanding and protecting U.S. private investment.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–178, NSSM Files, NSSM 108. Secret; Limdis. Copies were sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury, Commerce, and Agriculture; the Administrator of AID; and the Directors of OMB and USIA. NSSM 15 is Document 1. The summary of the Rockefeller Report recommendations is Document 18. The study requested by the President, “Review of U.S. Policy Toward Latin America,” is Document 35. The Intergovernmental Group for Inter American Affairs prepared an Analytical Summary in response to NSSM 108, June 17, 1971, in anticipation of an August 17 Senior Review Group meeting. (Ibid., Box H–59, SRG Meeting–Latin America, 8/17/71) A supplement, September 3, was titled, “U.S. Policy Toward the Nations of Latin America.” (Ibid.).
33. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger reported on the findings of a NSC Under Secretaries Committee study on cross-border contacts and coordination among insurgent groups in Latin America.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 798, Country Files, Latin America, Latin America General, Vol. 4, January–June 1971. Secret. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon wrote in the margin next to the last sentence, “good—follow up diligently.” Attached but not published are Tabs A and B. Tab B is titled “Insurgency in Bolivia and Latin America.” Tab C, a DOD annex to the study, has not been found.
34. National Security Study Memorandum 117
President Nixon directed that a comprehensive review of U.S. policies in the Caribbean be conducted, with a focus on the following issues: expropriation of foreign companies’ assets, regional effects from the reduced power of Great Britain, Caribbean nations’ desire to trade with Cuba, the growth of black power, and increased Soviet military activities.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–59, Latin America, Caribbean, 1/17/71. Secret. Copies were sent to the Administrator of AID and the Director of USIA. The IG for Inter-American Affairs study, August 10, was titled, “Review of U.S. Policy in the Caribbean Area.” The portion of the study that discusses bauxite in the Caribbean is published as Document 46. The IG produced a supplementary report, dated September 3, titled, “Political and Security Aspects of U.S. Relations with Caribbean Countries.” (Ibid.) A DOD Report, dated December 13, 1972, was entitled, “The Future U.S.-Bahamas Relationship.” (Ibid.)
35. Paper Prepared by the Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs
The NSC Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs (IG/ARA) provided an overview of U.S. interests in Latin America.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–177, NSSM Files, NSSM 108. Secret. NSSM 108 is published as Document 32.
36. Conversation Among President Nixon, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), the President’s Assistant (Haldeman), the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), and Director of Central Intelligence Helms
The participants discussed the Catholic Church in Latin America, and individual countries in the region in general terms.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 462–5, Oval Office. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording published specifically for this volume. The transcript is part of a larger conversation that took place from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Haig joined the meeting at 9:15 a.m. and Helms joined the meeting at 9:29 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)
37. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger summarized a Department of State report on the status of the Pan American Highway.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 798, Country Files, Latin America, Latin America General, Vol. IV, January–June 1971. Confidential. Sent for information. Nixon wrote on the top of the memorandum: “K—State really has no enthusiasm for roads. They want the money for welfare projects—I want to change the emphasis.” At the bottom of the memorandum, Nixon wrote, “H—tell K and Scali I know all this—1) But what are we doing to get symbolic credit for RN’s leadership on this since his visit to Central America in 1955? 2) And on substance let’s get a plan for a road all the way—.” Nixon circled the word “average” in the penultimate sentence and wrote in the margin: “a dodge of my question.” Nixon also wrote in the margin next to this sentence, which he underlined, “Our goal is a road usable year round—from NY to the tip of S.A. [South America].” Tab A, undated, is attached but not published.
38. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
President Nixon approved a recommendation that Kissinger direct priority attention to completing the Darien Gap portion of the Pan American Highway.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–224, NSDM files, NSDM 109. Secret. Sent for action. Nixon approved the recommendation. The memorandum bears Nixon’s stamped signature. Tab A, a May 5 report of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee, has not been found. The NSC Under Secretaries Committee produced a revised version of the May 5 report on July 16. (Ibid., Department of State, S/S files: Lot 81 D 309, NSC–U/SM 100C)
39. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon
Secretary of Defense Laird proposed the disestablishment of U.S. Southern Command.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 806, Country Files, Latin America, Southcom. Secret.
40. National Security Decision Memorandum 109
President Nixon directed that the Department of State consult with the Governments of Colombia and Panama, and that the Departments of State and Transportation consult with the Appropriations Committees of the Congress to accelerate construction of the Darien Gap Highway.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–223, NSDM files, NSDM 109. Secret. Copies were sent to the Secretary of the Treasury; the Director, Office of Management and Budget; the Administrator, Agency for International Development; the Director of Central Intelligence; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the Chairman, NSC Under Secretaries Committee. The May 5 report of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee was not found. The NSC Under Secretaries Committee produced a revised version of the May 5 report on July 16. (Ibid., Department of State, S/S files: Lot 81 D 309, NSC–U/SM 100C)
41. Memorandum From the Acting Secretary of State (Irwin) to President Nixon
Acting Secretary of State Irwin reported on efforts by some Caribbean and South American countries to nationalize the bauxite industry and steps being taken by the Department of State to respond to the situation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 798, Country Files, Latin America, Latin America General, Volume 4, January–June 1971. Secret. In Airgram A–90 to Kingston, the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica reported that the rise of Black Power in the Caribbean and increased economic nationalism in Jamaica might push the Jamaicans toward nationalization of the bauxite industry, Document 414. In Intelligence Memorandum 1839/69, August 6, 1969, the CIA reported on the rise of black radicalism in the Caribbean. (Ibid., Box 786, Country Files, Latin America, Jamaica, Vol. 1)
42. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
President Nixon and Kissinger discussed U.S. relations with Chile in the broader context of the administration’s policy towards Latin America.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 517–4. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume. The transcript is part of a larger conversation that took place from 9:37 to 10:36 a.m. In the portion published here, Nixon and Kissinger discussed different options for increasing assistance to Chile. The assassination of the right-wing Christian Democrat, who headed up the right-wing segment of the Christian Democratic Party, former Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Zujovic, is discussed in Lester A. Sobel, Chile & Allende, pp. 42–43.
43. Conversation Among President Nixon, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), the President’s Assistant (Haldeman), and Secretary of the Treasury Connally
In a discussion on the communist threat to Latin America, President Nixon characterized the Department of State’s Latin American Division as a “disaster area.”
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 517–20. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume. The conversation took place between 2:05 and 2:38 p.m.
44. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger reviewed the pros and cons of disestablishing Southcom and recommended that the President disapprove such action.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 806, Country Files, Latin America, Southcom. Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the first page indicates the President saw it. In the fifth paragraph, Nixon circled the words “disestablishment” and “improve” and put a question mark in the margin. Nixon initialed the disapprove option, and lined through the other options. The memorandum at Tab B is published as Document 39. In a July 20 memorandum, Kissinger communicated the President’s decision to Laird, while indicating that Nixon would welcome recommendations “to make the Command more effective in carrying out essential Department of Defense programs in the Latin American area.” (Ibid.)
45. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting
The Senior Review Group discussed options for responding to the expropriation of property owned by U.S.-based companies overseas.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–112, SRG Minutes (Originals), 1971. Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. An attached August 11 covering memorandum from Davis to Kissinger was stamped “HAK has seen” on September 7. Copies were sent to Kennedy, Hormats, and Nachmanoff. The participants discussed a July 31 paper prepared by an ad hoc group chaired by Legal Advisor John R. Stephenson which is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969–1972, Document 157. The undated memorandum to the President mentioned in the Summary of Conclusions is printed as Document 168, ibid.
46. Study Prepared by the National Security Council Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs
In this response to NSSM–117, the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs (NSC–IG/AR) laid out options regarding bauxite policy in the Caribbean, including diplomatic representations and a more hard-line approach.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–214, NSSM Files, NSSM 117. Secret. NSSM 131 is published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969–1972, Document 155.
47. Study Prepared by the Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs
This 8 page NSC Interdepartmental Group for Inter-American Affairs (NSC–IG/AR) study provided a list of recommendations for improving security assistance programs to Latin America.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–59, SRG Meeting, Latin America/Caribbean, 8/17/71. Secret. The title of the Report is “Latin America—NSSM 108 and Military Presence Study.” Attached but not published at Tab B is “The Future of Grant MAP Material.” The January 12 study has not been found.
48. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting
The Senior Review Group discussed bilateral and multilateral policy objectives in Latin America and the Caribbean, including military assistance to the region.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–112, SRG Minutes (Originals), 1971. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. The response to NSSM 131 is published in Foreign Relations, vol. IV, 1969–1976, Foreign Assistance, International Development, and Trade Policies, 1969–1972, Document 157. The IG recommendations on the Caribbean are published in Document 46. The recommendations of the NSSM 108 study are published in Document 47. Nixon met with Shearer on August 11, 1970. The IG/ARA paper on the Caribbean, September 3, supplemented the response to NSSM 117. (NA, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–181, NSSM Files, NSSM 117) The requested paper for a NSC meeting has not been found, and there is no record of a meeting.
49. Memorandum of Meeting
In a conversation with Sanz de Santamaría on U.S.-Latin American relations, President Nixon reiterated his commitment to continuing development assistance and expanding trade with the region.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 332, Subject Files, Alliance for Progress, March 1969–March 1973. Confidential. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting lasted until 10:47 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) According to a September 9 memorandum from Nachmanoff to Kissinger, there were two versions of this memorandum. The version published was for the White House files only. The version for general distribution did not include the statement by the President that Treasury would be more influential than State on the matter of U.S.-Latin American trade, and included the President’s private comment that he would not object if Sanz de Santamaría sought a waiver of the U.S. surcharge on Latin American commodities. Nixon’s August 17 statement is in Public Papers: Nixon, 1971, pp. 891–892.
50. Conversation Among President Nixon, Attorney General Mitchell, and the Counselor to the President (Finch)
President Nixon briefed Counselor Finch on his upcoming goodwill visit to South America, which aimed at improving United States-Latin American relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 581–4. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume. The transcript is part of a larger conversation that took place from 10:07 to 11:03 a.m.
51. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger forwarded recommendations from the President’s Counselor Robert Finch and Pete Peterson that the administration introduce generalized tariff preferences and announce the expropriation policy to coincide with some positive foreign assistance action. Kissinger indicated that he agreed with Finch and Peterson that negotiating trade concessions from Latin America in exchange for lifting the surcharge would be counterproductive.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 814, Name Files, Senator Finch. Confidential. Sent for action. Kissinger approved both recommendations for Nixon. Attached but not published at Tab I is the November 10 memorandum from Finch and Peterson to Nixon.
52. Memorandum From the Counselor to the President (Finch) to President Nixon
Finch asserted that U.S. policymakers needed to come up with a coherent plan to link overall U.S. policy objectives to day-to-day programs.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–178, NSSM files, NSSM 108. Secret. Drafted on December 2 by Hewitt. The memorandum is un-initialed. According to a January 18, 1972, covering memorandum from Hewitt to Kissinger, Nixon instructed that Finch’s report, when finalized, be included in the Latin American Policy Review, in which he wanted Finch to participate. No final version of Finch’s report or the Latin American Policy Review has been found. Hewitt recommended that Kissinger call Finch to inquire about the status of his report. No record that Kissinger contacted Finch has been found.
53. Memorandum From President Nixon to Secretary of the Treasury Connally
President Nixon instructed Secretary Connally to inform Latin American heads of state with whom he would meet during his upcoming trip the President had a long-standing interest in Third World countries.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 954, VIP Visits, Connally Trip 6–7/72. No classification marking. Nixon informed Kissinger in a May 19 memorandum that “The Connally trip is vitally important, not only from the standpoint of our personal relationship, but also in terms, I believe, of the good it can do in the foreign policy area. What I have in mind is that he should go first-class with a Presidential-type aircraft to four countries in Latin America—Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia.” Nixon concluded, “Don’t consult a lot of people in State about this thing. Just give me your own recommendation later today.” (Ibid., Box 341, Subject Files, HAK/President Memos, 1971–)
54. Telegram 3549 From the Embassy in Argentina to the Department of State and the Embassy in Venezuela
President Caldera and Secretary Connally discussed oil, U.S. support for Codesur, and upgrading military equipment. The Ambassador concluded that Connally’s conversation aided the Embassy in its dealings with Venezuela.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US /Connally. Secret; Exdis. It was repeated to Bogotá. Connally visited Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru on his Latin American trip, and made similar representations. Documentation on his trip can be found ibid.
55. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to President Nixon
Haig reviewed the South American portion of Secretary Connally’s trip and concluded that it was a success for U.S. policy. According to Haig, while generally avoiding detailed discussions over bilateral issues, Connally informed the Latin American leaders that President Nixon was committed to generalized trade preferences.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 954, VIP Visits, Connally Trip 6–7/72. Secret. Sent for information. A handwritten notation on the first page indicates the President saw it.
56. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Eliot recommended against attempting to obtain Law of the Sea concessions from Ecuador, because such concessions might jeopardize resolution of the fisheries dispute.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Material, NSC Files, Box 799, Country Files, Latin America, Latin America (General), Vol. 6, July 1971–1974. Confidential. R.T. Curran signed above Theodore Eliot’s typed signature. The May 18 memorandum from Eliot to Kissinger has not been found. NSDM 147 is Document 312. In a January 2 memorandum to President Nixon, Kissinger argued that the United States should seek Law of the Sea concessions from Ecuador, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972, Document 418.
57. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) for the President’s File
In a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, President Nixon indicated he wanted more U.S. military assistance for Latin America.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 862, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)–China Trip/Vietnam, Camp David Memos, September–December 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting lasted until 11:34 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)
58. Study Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
In its annual review of worldwide developments, the CIA noted continuing problems with Latin American economic nationalism and politically motivated violence affecting U.S. interests in the region.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–194, NSSM Files, NSSM 161. No classification marking. The study is titled, “Response to NSSM No. 161—A Review of Major International Developments During 1972.” NSSM 161, the President’s Annual Review of American Foreign Policy, was issued September 25. (Ibid.)