199. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Rogers outlined the implications of different approaches to the problem of security assistance for Chile.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P830113–0540. Secret; Exdis. Sent through Maw. Drafted by Rogers. Gantz, Wilson, Richardson, and Vest concurred. Although the memorandum is dated August 5, the drafting date is given as August 11. Attached but not published is a suggested letter to Carvajal. There is no indication the letter was sent. None of the options for approval or disapproval were checked, although Kissinger wrote on the first page of the memorandum, “See me Tuesday.” In telegram Secto 9001 from Vail, August 16, the Secretary’s delegation informed the Department that Kissinger had taken no action on the memorandum but wished to see Rogers and Maw on Tuesday, August 19. (Ibid., P840126–2280) No record of a meeting has been found. A memorandum of conversation of the Kissinger, Rogers, and Popper meeting referred to in the first paragraph is published as Document 197. On August 19, Lord informed Kissinger that although the staff of S/P agreed with L and H that arms sales to Chile should be held up, Lord himself supported “a discreet program combined with candid talk and advance notice to Congress.” (Ibid., P830113–0469)

200. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers), the Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations (McCloskey), and the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (Vest) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Rogers, McCloskey, and Vest recommended that Kissinger authorize roughly $10 million in FMS sales to Chile after consulting with Congress.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P810150–1436. Confidential. Drafted by Driscoll and Fimbres on September 19. Sent through Maw. Rogers wrote on the memorandum, “Bremer discussed with Rogers 29–9 [September 29]. Matter to be raised informally with DOD through Scowcroft.” Rogers indicated that Kissinger approved the first two recommendations on September 28. Neither approve nor disapprove was checked for the other options.

201. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger, Rogers, Carvajal, and Trucco discussed human rights, U.S. Government assistance, the Chilean economy, and Chile’s foreign policy.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820123–2643. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Driscoll; cleared by Rogers. A typewritten notation at the bottom of the memorandum states, “This version was agreed upon by Ambassador Lackington, Desk Officer Driscoll, and interpreter Hervas.” None of the Chilean documents were attached. On October 3, the Department sent a summary of the conversation to the Embassy. (Telegram 235949 to Santiago, October 3; ibid., D750344–0175) Although the briefing memorandum to Kissinger has not been found, on September 15 Fimbres sent a memorandum to Rogers in which he recommended that Kissinger inform Carvajal that human rights abuses made it increasingly difficult for the U.S. Government to assist the junta and that the United States supported Pinochet’s expressed desire for political liberalization. (Ibid., ARA Files, Subject and Country Files: Lot 81D324, DEF 12–5, CHILE Military Sales, 1974–1975)

202. Memorandum For the Record

Summary: In an October 3 meeting, Department of State and CIA officials discussed Trucco’s concern over Contreras’ reported separate channel to Washington. Rogers stated that the U.S. Government should speak with one voice regarding Chile policy.

Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, ARA Weekly Meetings, 1976–1977. Secret. Drafted by De Tarr on October 7. Memoranda for the record on the July 11 and August 25 ARA/CIA meetings are ibid.

203. Transcript of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Summary: Kissinger and his staff discussed human rights abuses in Chile and military assistance for the country.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, Lot 78D443, Box 8, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret. Kissinger chaired the meeting, which was attended by all the principal officers of the Department or their designated alternates. The reference to “Mission Friends” in this document is an incorrect transcription of a reference to Lutheran Bishop Helmut Frenz, whose residency permit had just been revoked by the Chilean Government for “anti-patriotic activities and for gravely endangering the public security and peace.” (Telegram 6670 from Santiago, October 3; ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, D750344–0601) “Four toes” is an incorrect transcription of “four TOWs,” a reference to anti-tank weaponry. The time at which the meeting began is not recorded, but it ended at 9:06 a.m. In Section 502(b) of the amended Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, Congress instructed the President to reduce or terminate assistance to any government which engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights. On October 7, Rogers informed Popper that in an October 2 lunch meeting with Trucco, Rogers had reinforced Kissinger’s comments to Carvajal during the September 29 Kissinger-Carvajal conversation, in particular that the administration would probably not request FMS credits for Chile from Congress. (Telegram 238245 to Santiago, October 7; ibid., D750346–1211)

204. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger and Ford agreed that the administration should request Congress for FMS credits for Chile.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 15, Ford, Kissinger, October 6, 1975. Secret; Nodis. In a telephone conversation at 8:10 p.m. on October 6, Kissinger told Rogers that he opposed making an issue of FMS sales to Chile under Section 502(b) of the 1974 Foreign Assistance Act. Rogers responded that, “we do not disqualify Chile under that [Section],” and that Chile was not slated to receive any FMS credits in any case. (Department of State, Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts)

205. Transcript of Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Summary: Kissinger, Maw, and Rogers discussed FMS credits for Chile. Rogers stated that in order to get congressional approval for the administration’s foreign assistance proposals, it should not propose FMS credits for Chile.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts Kissinger Staff Meetings, Lot 78D443, Box 8, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret. Kissinger chaired the meeting, which was attended by all the principal officers of the Department or their designated alternates. In his October 8 conversation with Carvajal, Rogers stated that if the administration proposed FMS credits for Chile, Congress would deny the request. Carvajal and Rogers agreed that the U.S. Government should refrain from proposing FMS credits for Chile in order to prevent a fight that might prevent sales from going forward. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, P810150–1158) On October 8 Rogers sent Kissinger a memorandum informing him of his conversation with Carvajal. (Ibid., P830035–1082)

206. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Low informed Scowcroft of the particulars regarding the decision to sell arms to Chile.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Box 3, Chile 2. Confidential. Sent for information. Scowcroft wrote “OK” and initialed the memorandum. Attached is an October 9 covering memorandum, in which Rogers informed Maw that “Defense is firm that the [Chilean FMS] proposal should be vetted with some of the Congressional leadership beforehand.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P830108–2107) On October 11, Maw sent a letter to Fish indicating that the Department of State concurred that FMS arms sales agreed to between July 1 and December 30, 1974, should proceed, with the understanding “that actual delivery of items is to be withheld pending completion of successful joint DOD/State consultations with Congress.” (Ibid., P830108–2106)

207. Intelligence Memorandum 0767/75

Summary: The CIA memorandum concluded that continuing international pressures on Chile to curb human rights abuses would only produce a token response by Pinochet. Because of these abuses, it was unlikely that the U.S. Government would provide significant military assistance to the Chilean Government.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Box 2, Latin America–General 3. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. A typed notation at the bottom of the first page reads: “This memorandum was prepared by the Office of Current Intelligence with the assistance of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Department of State, which concurs in its principal judgments. Comments and queries may be directed to [less than one line not declassified] of the Office of Current Intelligence, code 143, extension 5115. Written in an unknown hand on the cover page, not published, is, “Stephen Low NSC.” In telegram 6841 from Santiago, October 10, the Embassy provided a review of the Chilean political situation since Pinochet took power, concluding that despite international pressure on the regime to improve its human rights practices, it would not make significant improvements. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750353–0435)

208. Editorial Note

209. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and the Ambassador to the United Nations (Moynihan)

Summary: Kissinger and Moynihan discussed an upcoming U.N. resolution on Chile.

Source: Department of State, Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts. Unclassified. On November 10, USUN sent the text of the resolution which expressed distress at Chilean human rights violations and called for the Chilean Government to restore and safeguard human rights. (Telegram 5821 from USUN, November 10; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750390–0598) Moynihan’s November 12 speech to the General Assembly is published in the Department of State Bulletin, December 15, 1975, pp. 867–871. On November 12 the resolution was adopted by a vote of 88–11, with 20 abstentions. (Telegram 5870 from USUN, November 12; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750394–0552)

210. Telegram 7681 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: The Chilean Government expressed dismay at the U.S. Government’s vote in favor of a U.N. resolution criticizing human rights practices in Chile.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750395–1016. Limited Official Use. Sent for information to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. In a November 13 conversation with Carvajal, who expressed dismay at the U.S. vote in the United Nations, Popper suggested that the junta “consider carefully what it might do to get out of its present dead end.” (Telegram 7683 from Santiago, November 13; ibid., D750395–1032) On December 22, after a meeting with Pinochet, Huerta held a press briefing and stated that the U.S. vote for the resolution could be explained by domestic U.S. politics and the personality of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. (Telegram 8635 from Santiago, December 23; ibid., D750446–0395)

211. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Low informed Scowcroft that the executive branch of the U.S. Government was increasingly adopting hostile postures toward Chile.

Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Box 12, CO 33 Chile, 10/1/1975–1/20/1977. Confidential. Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum. Attached but not published is telegram 272701 to Santiago, November 18. On October 19, the New York Times reported a U.S. official’s allegation that the Chileans had agreed with the Arab nations to vote for a draft U.N. resolution linking Zionism with racism in exchange for their support against charges of human rights violations. (“U.S. Aide Charges Chile Sold U.N. Vote to Arabs,” p. 1) The Kennedy Amendment to the Foreign Assistance and the FMS Acts, introduced on November 11, stipulated that no military or security supporting assistance could be given to Chile, no sales of defense articles or services could be made to Chile, and no credits could be extended to or loans guaranteed for Chile for the export of arms. (Telegram 267844 to USCINCSO, November 13; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750396–0802) In telegram 7509 from Santiago, November 7, the Embassy reported that the Chilean Government had agreed to allow the departure from the country of an American priest and three nuns suspected of harboring leftist terrorists. (Ibid., D750387–1111)

212. Telegram 8493 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported that a critical pamphet by former President Frei would place the Chilean Government in a difficult position. The junta would have to decide between not responding to direct criticism or taking actions that would reinforce its isolation from Chilean civil society and the world community.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750439–0286. Confidential. Repeated to La Paz, Lima, and Buenos Aires. In the pamphlet, Frei envisioned a majority of Chileans coming together in a democratic Chilean Government to form consensus on policy. (Telegram 8549 from Santiago, December 18; ibid., D750441–0023) In telegram 686 from Santiago, January 27, 1976, the Embassy reported that although Frei’s pamphlet criticizing the junta would add to its difficulties, there was no apparent weakening of the junta’s control. (Ibid., D760031–0692)

213. Telegram 314 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: Popper urged the Chilean Government to signal its firm intention to improve the human rights situation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760015–0770. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to San José, the Mission in Geneva, USUN, and London. On January 28, Diez, in a meeting with Trucco and Ryan, stated he understood that the U.S. Government could not support Chile in the upcoming UNHRC meeting in Geneva. In addition, Diez and Trucco informed Ryan of the junta’s draft decree to alleviate human rights violations. (Telegram 24117 to Santiago, January 31; ibid., D760038–0137)

214. Telegram 904 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: Pinochet deplored past U.S. votes in the U.N. and OAS that criticized Chile’s human rights record. He also stated he would be willing to accept human rights investigative groups other than the UNHRC.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760041–0207. Confidential; Priority. Repeated priority to USUN and the Mission in Geneva. In telegram 298 from Santiago, January 14, the Embassy reported that it believed that the Chilean Government employed torture but that it could not assess the frequency or extent of the abuse. (Ibid., D760014–0881) On January 28, noting rising opposition in Congress and the public to the junta’s human rights abuses, the Department instructed Popper to inform Chilean officials it wanted Chile to accept a group from the UNHRC. (Telegram 21202 to Santiago, January 28; ibid., D760032–0782) On January 29, the Ambassador reported that Illanes ruled out a UNHRC visit, and wanted to shift emphasis away from the U.N. Commission to an inter-American human rights commission. (Telegram 745 from Santiago, January 29; ibid., D760034–0696) Telegram 24117 is Document 213.

215. Memorandum From Stephen Low of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: In anticipation of a meeting between Scowcroft and Trucco, Low briefed Scowcroft on the status of U.S.-Chilean relations, in particular military sales, human rights, and the OAS General Assembly meeting in June.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Box 3, Chile 2. Confidential. Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum. The missing portion of the memorandum is in the original. No record of the meeting has been found. The Kennedy Amendment prohibited military and security assistance; credits and loans for arms; and deliveries of military assistance. (Telegram 27598 to Santiago, February 4; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760043–0061) On February 13, Rogers, Carvajal, and Trucco discussed the UNHRC meeting in Geneva, military assistance, Chile’s relationship with its neighbors, and OASGA preparations. (Telegram 37518 to Santiago, February 14; ibid., D760058–0127) On March 1, Trucco and Clements discussed U.S. arms sales policy towards Chile, and its relationship with its neighbors. (Memorandum of Conversation, March 1; Washington National Records Center, OSD Files, FRC 330–79–0037–333 Memcons Only, January–May, 1976)

216. Memorandum From the Country Officer for Chile (Fimbres) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers)

Summary: With plans for a visit to Chile by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission in doubt, Fimbres recommended unilateral steps that the United States might take.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P830106–1703. Confidential. Drafted by Fimbres on March 9; cleared by White. Sent through Ryan. None of the recommendations is checked. In an attached March 9 memorandum to Rogers, not published, Mailliard stated that USOAS did not believe that the U.S. Government should make “any strong unilateral démarches” on human rights. Instead, Mailliard suggested that Popper might “go to the Chilean Government with a checklist to ask if they have considered the various contingencies connected with their hosting the [OAS] General Assembly.” Mailliard also suggested that the junta might be asked to consider the possibility of responding to the IAHRC report by inviting the commission to visit Chile. In a second attachment, telegram 57655 to Santiago, March 9, the Department concluded that Orfila’s idea of creating a special human rights body to visit Santiago would not prosper, and suggested that the Embassy inform the junta it might receive the IAHRC report and invite it or a sub-group to visit Chile and review areas where it thought the report was inaccurate. In telegram 55095 to Santiago, March 6, the Department noted press reports that three members of the IAHRC had announced their decision not to run for reelection in light of OAS inaction on their Chile report. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, D760086–0717)

217. Telegram 2261 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: Popper reported that a U.S. Congressional delegation to Chile thought that terminating military assistance and reducing economic aid was the best way to force the Chilean Government to improve human rights in the country. The Embassy, however, thought that maintaining some assistance and encouraging the Junta to improve human rights was a better tactic.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760103–0412. Confidential; Immediate. The Congressional delegation included Reps. Toby Moffett (D–Connecticut), George Miller (D–California), and Tom Harkin (D–Iowa); the delegation was in Chile March 11–15. (Telegram 38229 to Santiago, February 18; ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, D760060–0085) On March 16, the Embassy reported that the CODEL’s criticism of the Junta would likely complicate the Embassy’s efforts to mitigate human rights abuses in Chile. (Telegram 2172 from Santiago, March 16; ibid., D760101–0899)

218. Telegram 109592/Tosec 110739 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: In light of Chile’s lack of progress on human rights, Ryan suggested how Kissinger might use his upcoming trip to Chile to promote an improvement in the human rights situation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760173–0465. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Fimbres; cleared by Flaten, Palmer, King, White, Ortiz, and Barbian; approved by Ryan. Repeated priority to Santiago. Kissinger was in Nairobi, Kenya, attending an UNCTAD conference. In telegram 3604 from Santiago, April 21, the Embassy informed Rogers that it thought Kissinger should use his visit to Chile to impress upon Pinochet that human rights violations harmed bilateral relations. (Ibid., D760151–0918)

219. Telegram 4341 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported that a visit to Santiago by Secretary of the Treasury Simon had produced tangible improvements in the human rights situation and provided leverage for further progress.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760178–1186. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated immediate to Brasília and Rio de Janeiro. In an April 10 memorandum, Rogers told Kissinger that Simon’s May 7 visit as part of a Latin American trip could encourage progress on human rights. (Ibid., P760057–0539) In telegram 4426 from Santiago, May 11, the Embassy reported that while the Chilean Government had not announced expected policy changes in the human rights field in conjunction with Simon’s visit, Simon had forcefully emphasized to Chilean officials that the U.S. Government saw the human rights situation there as a problem. (Ibid., D760181–1155) In telegram 4475 from Santiago, May 12, the Embassy concluded that a new avenue for human rights inquiries had potentially been opened by Carvajal’s statement to Simon that members of the Chilean security forces had been punished for abuses. (Ibid., D760184–1005) In a May 24 memorandum to Ford, Simon reported that he had informed the Chilean Government it must improve the human rights situation or face a loss of support in the United States and other nations. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, 1969–1977, Box A3, Treasury Department, 5/24/76–10/27/76) In a June 2 memorandum to Kissinger, Rogers assessed the human rights issues that emerged from Simon’s visit. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760092–1784)

220. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Popper and Robinson discussed the Chilean economy, human rights, U.S. military sales to Chile, and Kissinger’s trip to the OAS General Assembly.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760080–1912. Confidential. Drafted by Driscoll; approved by Loving on May 21. In a May 11 briefing memorandum to Robinson in anticipation of a meeting with Popper, Rogers informed the Deputy Secretary that Popper was interested in discussing foreign investment and the Chilean economy, the human rights situation, a prospective Bolivian outlet to the Pacific Ocean, and Chile’s conduct in international forums. (Ibid., P760069–1419) On September 23, the Embassy in Peru reported on the U.S. and Peruvian Governments’ settlement of the Marcona expropriation case. See Document 323.

221. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Popper and Kissinger discussed the Secretary’s upcoming visit to Chile and how to address the human rights problem.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820117–2370. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Driscoll.

222. Telegram 2171 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State

Summary: Allana informed Bennett that the junta showed no signs of granting permission for an on-site inspection by the U.N. Human Rights Commission Working Group on Chile, and that the Working Group planned to hold a press conference to highlight the junta’s lack of cooperation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760194–0543. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Santiago. In telegram 4770 from Santiago, May 20, the Embassy suggested that Bennett urge the Working Group to delay its announcement on Chile’s lack of cooperation or at least to indicate that further discussions with the Chilean Government were still possible. (Telegram 4770 from Santiago, May 20; ibid., D760195–1162) In telegram 124601 to USUN, May 21, the Department instructed Bennett to stress to Diez “our hope that talks with the Ad Hoc Working Group will not end in failure predicted by Allana” and to urge him to consider a formula that would allow for a Working Group visit. (Ibid., D760196–0734) In telegram 5051 from Santiago, May 27, the Embassy reported that while a press release issued by the Working Group after discussions with Chilean representatives indicated that little progress had been made, the Group and the junta had avoided a “hard break.” (Ibid., D760206–0309)

223. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Rogers informed Kissinger that he had discussed U.S. policy toward Chile with Department of the Treasury officials and with Chilean Ambassador Trucco. He stressed to Trucco that there was no division within the U.S. Government on policy towards Chile and that progress in the human rights field was essential.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840041–1871. Confidential. Drafted by Rogers and Keane. On May 20, the Washington Post reported that Simon stated that while the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury agreed on Chile policy, congressional liberals and “a quietly dissenting sector of the State Department argue that the junta should receive no U.S. support,” due to its human rights abuses. (“Chile Freeing New Group of 50 Prisoners,” Washington Post, May 20, 1976, p. A1) On June 5, Rogers informed Kissinger of an indication received from a member of the Chilean Embassy staff that Trucco “had not been hearing” when U.S. officials such as Simon told him that the ability of the U.S. Government to help Chile depended on improvements in Chile’s human rights image. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760092–1949)

224. Memorandum From Secretary of the Treasury Simon to President Ford

Summary: With the administration’s request for economic assistance to Chile facing congressional opposition, Simon sought Presidential approval for a statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reiterating the administration’s strong belief that aid to Chile was in the best interests of the United States.

Source: Ford Library, President’s Handwriting File, Box 22, Foreign Affairs–Foreign Aid, 8. No classification marking. Ford approved the recommendation on June 2. (Ibid.) In a June 4 memorandum to the President, Connor indicated Greenspan, Lynn, Marsh, and Scowcroft concurred. (Ibid.) In a June 5 memorandum to Kissinger, Rogers indicated he concurred. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760092–1930) On May 30, Rogers reported to Kissinger on Simon’s meeting with the Foreign Assistance Subcommittee of the SFRC. Although Simon informed them that he had made it clear to the Chilean Government that economic aid was linked to their human rights performance, there was no support in the Subcommittee for any military assistance, including commercial sales. (Ibid., P760092–1730) A transcript of Simon’s report to the Subcommittee is in a U.S. Senate Report of Proceedings, May 27, vol. 1.

225. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Rogers informed Kissinger of the possibility of further congressional action to restrict the transfer to Chile of military equipment. Rogers added that a cut-off of matériel that was already in the pipeline for Chile would seriously impair bilateral relations.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760092–1928. Confidential. Drafted by Fimbres and Ryan; cleared by Black.

226. Telegram 5434 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported that although it believed that that junta could have arranged the deaths of Chilean political refugees in foreign countries, it lacked evidence to confirm such allegations.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760219–0217. Secret; Immediate. Repeated immediate to Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asunción, Brasília, and La Paz. In telegram 137156 to Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asunción, Santiago, Brasília, and La Paz, June 4, the Department noted its concern over “the recent sharp increase in the number of assassinations of foreign political figures in exile or political asylum in or from your countries” and asked if “the deaths of political refugees or asylees from your country abroad could have been arranged by your host government through institutional ties to groups, governmental or other, in the country where the deaths took place?” (Ibid., D760214–0807)

227. Memorandum From Les Janka of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Janka informed Scowcroft that the Administration would work to have the House-Senate Conference Committee accept the House version of the Security Assistance Bill, which would allow cash sales of matériel to Chile.

Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Box 23, FO 3–2/CO 27–CO 54. No classification marking. Sent for information. Brownell concurred. Scowcroft wrote “Thanks” on the first page of the memorandum and initialed it. The text of the Buchanan and Fraser Amendments is attached at Tab A, and the text of the Kennedy Amendment is attached at Tab B. The May 18 memorandum has not been found. In telegram Hakto 7 from Santiago, June 7, Kissinger informed Scowcroft that the “Kennedy proposals for a cutoff of all military sales and transfers to Chile would be disastrous to our efforts in Chile and elsewhere in the hemisphere. I want now to ensure that everything is being done to block this. If the situation is as serious as it appears from here, the President should be brought in.” (Ibid., National Security Adviser, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry Kissinger, 1974–1976, Box 25, June 6–13, 1976–Latin America, Hakto) In telegram Tohak 12, June 9, Scowcroft replied that the White House would work to keep the Fraser Amendment from being added to the Senate version of the bill and to have the Kennedy Amendment removed from the final text in the House-Senate conference committee. (Ibid., 6/6–13/76 Latin America, Tohak, 1)

228. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger and Pinochet discussed U.S. assistance to Chile, human rights, and regional issues.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, Box 3, Chile, 3. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Rogers. The meeting took place in Pinochet’s office. Kissinger was in Chile for the sixth regular session of the OASGA. Kissinger’s statement on human rights at the OASGA is published in the Department of State Bulletin, July 5, 1976, pp. 1–5. In telegram 3779 from Santiago, April 24, the Embassy provided background material for Kissinger’s June meeting with Pinochet at the OASGA; the Embassy suggested that the Secretary inform Pinochet that the human rights practices of the Chilean Government were more repressive than circumstances dictated, and that Pinochet needed to take specific steps to improve the human rights situation. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760156–0824) Kissinger and Rogers met with Foreign Minister Carvajal and Finance Minister Cauas on June 10. Cauas noted that the IDB vote on a proposed loan to Chile had been delayed at the request of the U.S. Government so that Congress could be informed in accordance with legislation that prohibited U.S. aid to countries that committed gross violations of human rights. Kissinger told the Chilean officials that he supported the loan, that it was “a bad precedent to let Congress approve loans,” and that he would “get this situation under control when I get back to Washington.” On human rights, Kissinger added that he trusted the Chilean Government’s “good faith and your good will.” (Memorandum of Conversation, June 10; ibid., P820118–1621)