Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

466. Telegram 3558 From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State¹ ²

Mexico City, June 25, 1971, 1904Z

Subject:

• Training of Mexican Police

1. Foreign Secretary Rabasa discussed with me yesterday question of police training in U.S. He said he was glad Charge had raised this question in my absence with Undersecretary Gallastegui. Rabasa said that initiative for this training had, of course, come from Mexican side and he had conveyed original request to me. Therefore, he assumed total responsibility for seeing that there was no harmful publicity insofar as U.S. was concerned stemming from our decision to accept the Mexican request for this training. Rabasa said he had conferred with President Echeverria who had known of this program from its inception and with Attorney General Sanchez Vargas. He said every possible measure had been taken to prevent publicity on training program in U.S. and I gather that stiff measures were approved insofar as press was concerned but that perhaps press interest had not been too great. I expressed satisfaction at measures which Mexican Government had taken.

2. Rabasa was aware that none of trainees in US had yet returned to Mexico. He asked regarding nature of training these men were receiving and whether or not special attention was given to anti-riot activities and to anti-guerrilla measures. I replied that training was more general in nature as I understood it and had been given to nationals of many countries over a period of considerable years.

3. Rabasa seemed to consider a problem of the past and the matter as settled satisfactorily.

McBride

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 787, Country Files, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. II, January 1, 1970–December 31, 1971. Secret; Exdis. A stamped notation on the telegram indicates that it was received in the White House Situation Room at 11:25 a.m. on June 26.
2. The Embassy reported that Foreign Secretary Rabasa told Ambassador McBride that the Mexican Government had requested training for its police and that he assumed total responsibility for ensuring that there was no harmful publicity aimed at the United States stemming from Mexico’s decision to request such training.