American Republics Regional
31. Briefing Memorandum From the Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (Mailliard) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Mailliard briefed Kissinger on the issues likely to arise at the May 8–19 OAS General Assembly session in Washington and proposed a U.S. strategy for the meeting.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, 1973–1977, Entry 5403, Lot 78D217, Briefing Memoranda, 1975. Confidential. Drafted by McNeil on April 28. Sent through Rogers.
32. Telegram 120106 From the Department of State to All American Republic Diplomatic Posts
Summary: The Department assessed the OAS General Assembly session in Washington, concluding that the meeting had been “remarkably successful” in reestablishing a productive dialogue between the United States and Latin America.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750185–0917. Confidential; Exdis; Ambassador or Chargé only. Repeated to USCINCSO. Drafted by Noonan, cleared by Ford, and approved by Ryan. Sent to Kissinger in Ankara as telegram 120106/Tosec 10230 on May 22.
33. Telegram 3187/USDel 50 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that OAS Foreign Ministers meeting in San José had resolved the Cuba sanctions issue by approving a resolution allowing OAS members to decide for themselves whether or not to maintain relations with Havana. The Embassy transmitted Mailliard’s explanation for the favorable U.S. vote.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750262–0426. Unclassified; Immediate. Repeated to all OAS capitals. In telegram 151803 to all American Republic diplomatic posts, June 26, the Department described its position on OAS Cuba policy in advance of the San José meeting, noting that, “as the Secretary stated at Houston, the U.S. stands ready to cooperate in reaching a generally acceptable solution” and that “although we would not take the lead, we would be willing to support a freedom of action formula which was buttressed by a strong reference to nonintervention.” (Ibid., D750222–0672) The Secretary’s March 1 speech in Houston is published in the Department of State Bulletin, March 24, 1975, pp. 361–369. In an August 21 statement, the Department announced modifications to its Cuba policy in response to the OAS decision, noting that in the future licenses would be granted for “transactions between U.S. subsidiaries and Cuba for trade in foreign-made goods when those subsidiaries are operating in countries where local law or policy favors trade with Cuba.” (Department of State Bulletin, September 15, 1975, p. 404)
34. Briefing Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Noting that the ideal of inter-American solidarity remained elusive while relations with individual Latin American countries had generally improved since the launch of the New Dialogue, Lord recommended a U.S. policy that would focus more on bilateral ties, eschewing the regionalist approach that posited a “special relationship” between the United States and Latin America.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Lot 78D217, Box 14, Briefing Memoranda, 1975, Folder 4. Confidential. Drafted by Einaudi and Bloomfield on September 17 with contributions from Lewis, Luers, and Fishlow. Kissinger’s remarks at a September 30 luncheon in New York in honor of Latin American Foreign Ministers and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations are published in the Department of State Bulletin, October 20, 1975, pp. 584–587. According to a memorandum of conversation Kissinger told Argentine Foreign Minister Robledo on September 28, 1975, that he did not “think it is possible to find one policy that applies to all of Latin America and one label for that policy.” Instead, Kissinger said, the United States would “concentrate on a few key countries, and not have any label, such as the ‘New Dialogue,’ and say that takes care of everybody.” The text of this memorandum is published in Foreign Relations, 1973–1976, vol. E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976, Document 29.
35. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford and Orfila discussed U.S.-Latin American relations and the role of the Organization of American States.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 15. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. All brackets are in the original. An undated briefing memorandum from Kissinger to Ford stated the purpose of this meeting was to “demonstrate the importance you attach to the OAS and our relations with the countries of the hemisphere, and to exchange views on the primary issues in our relations with Latin America.” (Ibid., Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Box 1, OAS 3)
36. Telegram 4056 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State
Summary: Ambassador Theberge reported on increasing resentment of Kissinger’s repeated postponements of scheduled trips to Latin America, which were seen to indicate a lack of interest in the region.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840178–2229. Secret; Nodis. In telegram 248400 to Caracas, San José, and Brasilia, October 18, the Department reported that a planned November trip by Kissinger to Latin America was to be rescheduled. (Ibid., P850033–2147.) In telegrams 1351 and 1352 from Caracas, February 4, Ambassador McClintock reported on the conversation with Venezuelan President Pérez referred to in this telegram. (Ibid., D750041–0436.)
37. Telegram 282526 From the Department of State to All American Republic Diplomatic Posts
Summary: Rogers asked Ambassadors in Latin America to identify specific ways in which bilateral relations with their host governments might be improved, noting that Kissinger had indicated that no major regional initiatives were likely to be forthcoming.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750416–0746. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. No other record of the November 25 meeting with Kissinger referred to in this memorandum has been found; the meeting took place as part of a Chiefs of Mission Conference held by the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs.
38. Intelligence Memorandum No. 0783/75
Summary: This memorandum analyzed the forces propelling Latin American nations towards a more assertive, independent stance in world affairs.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, [text not declassified] Files, Job 79T00865A, Box 26, Folder 27. Confidential. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. Colby transmitted this memorandum to Ford under a January 2, 1976, covering letter, on which Ford wrote, “Very helpful. GRF.” (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, Box 10, Latin America)
39. Telegram 304397/Tosec 250065 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger in Ocho Rios
Summary: Responding to Colby’s proposal that U.S. Ambassadors encourage Latin American leaders to denounce Cuban intervention in Angola, Eagleburger transmitted Rogers’s memorandum recommending the idea be dropped, in part because Latin American nations no longer wished to be enlisted in cold war conflicts.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry A. Kissinger, Box 18, 12/26/75 Jamaica, Tosec 1. Secret; Cherokee; Nodis. Drafted and approved by Eagleburger. Kissinger was on vacation at Sir Harold Mitchell’s plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. (“Kissingers Reach Jamaica,” New York Times, December 27, 1975, p. 18) In telegram Secto 25011, December 31, Kissinger informed the Department that no further action was required on the Colby proposal. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840083–0685)
40. Telegram 10/Tosec 250115 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger in Ocho Rios
Summary: Rogers reviewed difficult economic policy problems that complicated relations with Latin America.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry A. Kissinger, Box 18, 12/26/75 Jamaica, Tosec 2. Confidential; Nodis; Immediate. Drafted and approved by Rogers. Kissinger was on vacation in Jamaica. (“Kissingers Reach Jamaica,” New York Times, December 27, 1975, p. 18)
41. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: In a conversation with OAS Secretary General Orfila, Kissinger discussed his upcoming trip to Latin America and the state of U.S. relations with the region.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820117–0900. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Mark Dion in ARA/USOAS, and approved by James Covey in S on March 12.
42. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Reporting to Ford on the first part of a trip to Latin America, Kissinger noted that the failure of the United States to respond forcefully to Cuban intervention in Angola had damaged U.S. prestige in the region.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Outside the System Chronological File, Box 1, 12/20/1975–6/1976. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Ford initialed the memorandum. In a February 25 conversation with Ford after his return to Washington, Kissinger stated that Latin Americans were “scared to death about Cuba,” adding that he thought that “we are going to have to smash Castro,” but not before the Presidential election. Ford agreed. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 18, February 25, 1976—Ford, Kissinger)
43. Summary of Interagency Intelligence Memorandum NIO IIM 76–017
Summary: This analysis examined Latin American perceptions of the United States in the wake of the Vietnam war and Watergate.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Latin America—General 3, 11/1/76–12/20/76. Confidential; [handling restriction not declassified]. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors or denoting original footnotes. In a February 13 memorandum to Kissinger, Harold Saunders of INR provided an analysis of Latin American views on the United States based on input from U.S. diplomatic posts in the region, concluding that “Latin American perceptions of the U.S. for the most part have not been influenced as much as one might have expected by Vietnam, Watergate, revelations of U.S. intelligence activities, and Presidential-Congressional differences.” (National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Lot 78D443, Box 19, Nodis Briefing Memoranda, 1976)
44. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger commented on the purpose of his upcoming trip to Latin America, during which he was to participate in an OAS General Assembly session in Santiago, Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820118–1524. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by James Glenn in NSC–IC/ARA. Approved by Collums on July 6. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The toast that Kissinger delivered in Santo Domingo on June 6 is published in the Department of State Bulletin, July 5, 1976, pp. 14–19. Kissinger’s June 8 statement on human rights, delivered at the OAS General Assembly in Santiago, is ibid., pp. 1–5. In telegram 130518 to Kissinger, May 27, the Department transmitted talking points for an informal OASGA session on cooperation for development. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760205–0109) Kissinger’s June 9 statement on cooperation for development is published in the Department of State Bulletin, July 5, 1976, pp. 5–10.
45. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft briefed Ford on the itinerary for Kissinger’s June 6–13 trip to Latin America and outlined the key issues in relations with the region that were likely to arise during the Secretary’s travels.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry A. Kissinger, 1974–1976, Kissinger Trip File, Box 25, June 6–13, 1976—Latin America, General. Sent for information. Ford initialed the memorandum, and a note reads: “The President has seen.” All brackets are in the original. Kissinger’s remarks and statements in the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Chile, and Mexico are published in the Department of State Bulletin, July 5, 1976, pp. 1–36.
46. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft transmitted a memorandum from Kissinger which referred to the OAS General Assembly in Santiago as “a turning point in our relations with Latin America.” Kissinger also referred to a “historic shift” in U.S.-Latin American relations during the Ford administration and attached a memorandum from Rogers giving a more detailed account of recent trends in relations with the region.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 3, Chile. Confidential. Sent for information. Ford initialed the memorandum, and a note reads: “The President has seen.” The July 8 memorandum from Kissinger to Ford that was transmitted with this memorandum is ibid. The July 8 memorandum transmitted a June 30 memorandum from Rogers to Kissinger on “The Significance of Santiago.”
47. Briefing Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: This memorandum reviewed significant improvements in the state of U.S.-Latin American relations while commenting on persistent problem areas and recommending means of engaging the challenge posed by the issue of human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770114–0501. Confidential. Drafted by Einaudi on August 31.