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

582. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Helms to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹ ²

Washington, March 12, 1969

1. During the last ten days, Richard Goodwin and Frank Mankiewisz have been in Peru working on articles which they intend to publish on the present crisis. [text not declassified] Mr. Goodwin is reported as having made the following allegations and observations.

a) He claims to have evidence that CIA is actively supporting the Peruvian labor movement and working with it against the military government.

b) He states that the Agency provided financial support to the APRA Party in the 1961–62 election period. He conjectures that the CIA with Department of State approval might attempt to overthrow the Velasco regime on behalf of the International Petroleum Company.

c) He warns that he feels under an obligation to expose this activity.

2. The Embassy officer to whom Goodwin made these charges denied any knowledge of CIA involvement. The facts are as follows:

a) [text not declassified]

b) [text not declassified]

c) As to the charge that the Peruvian Labor Confederation has worked against the military government at the instigation of CIA, the facts are that at the suggestion of the U.S. Labor Attache in Lima, certain affiliates of the Peruvian Labor Confederation have publicly called upon the military regime to negotiate with the United States on the IPC issue in view of the loss of employment and income that the workers will suffer if the Hickenlooper amendment is invoked.

d) Additional light is thrown upon Goodwin’s visit to Peru by a State Department cable of March 10th (Lima 1628) which summarizes a meeting that Goodwin and Frank Mankiewisz had with Haya de la Torre, the leader of the APRA party. Haya de la Torre effectively criticized the Velasco regime for its handling of the IPC issue and pointed out that nationalization would have disastrous economic consequences. He expressed the hope that some way might be found to avoid the necessity of applying the Hickenlooper amendment. The Embassy officer who attended this meeting comments that both Goodwin and Mankiewisz appeared to be impressed by Haya de la Torre’s forceful critique of the military government but they were also extremely critical of the past negotiating performance of the IPC and took the position that U.S. interests in Latin America should not be allowed to suffer as the result of the misbehavior of one business firm. Mankiewisz stated that he would see Mr. Henry Kissinger on his return to Washington to inform him of this situation, and Goodwin indicated that he would be in touch with his contacts in the U.S. Senate.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 794, Country Files, Latin America, Peru, 21 January–31 March 1969, Vol. I, IPC Hickenlooper Amendment. Secret. In an attached March 12 note to Kissinger, Helms wrote, “I feel that you should be informed of this matter. I trust the memorandum is self-explanatory.”
2. Helms responded to allegations made in investigations by Goodwin and Mankiewisz