Colombia
257. Ambassador’s Overview, Country Analysis and Strategy Paper
Summary: Ambassador Saccio informed the Department that economic and military assistance, trade, and high-level visits were the means by which the U.S. Government could maintain pro-U.S. stability in Colombia.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–1973, POL 1 COL–US. Secret. Sent as an enclosure to airgram A–52 from Bogotá, March 13, 1973. On February 5, the Ambassador informed the Department he thought coffee, the Darien Gap, and narcotics would be the key issues in U.S.-Colombian relations in the short- and medium-run. (Telegram 958 from Bogotá, February 5; ibid., POL COL–US)
258. Telegram 1735/Secto 188 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State
Summary: Pastrana and Rogers discussed the inter-American system, law of the sea, military and economic assistance, coffee policy, and narcotics.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–1973, POL COL–US. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Bogotá. Rogers was in Jamaica as part of a May 12–28 trip to Latin America. The Department prepared a background paper on Colombian coffee for the Secretary. (Ibid.) On May 11, Nixon wrote to Pastrana that the Colombians should feel free to raise any matters with Rogers. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 751, Presidential Correspondence, Republic of Colombia, Bogotá, Dr. Misael Pastrana Borrero) In telegram 4363 from Bogotá, May 26, the Ambassador transmitted a summary of Rogers’s May 17 meeting with Vázquez, in which they discussed the law of the sea, the Quita Sueño issue, the OAS structure, and the transfer of U.S. technology to the Soviets. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files, 1970–1973, ORG 7 S)
259. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Jorden informed Kissinger that the Embassy had told members of the Colombian Government that the expropriation of the International Mining Company would damage bilateral relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 779, Latin America, Colombia, Vol. 1, 1969–1970. Confidential. Sent for information. In an undated memorandum, Scowcroft informed Jorden that Kissinger wanted him to write a shorter memorandum for the President on IMC, which “emphasize[d] actions the U.S. Government is taking.” (Ibid.) On September 10, Jorden drafted the memorandum for Kissinger, which informed the President that Embassy officials had spoken to the Ministers of Finance, Mines, and President of the Central Bank. Scowcroft wrote on the covering memorandum, “HAK does not wish to forward [to the President]. BS.” (Ibid.)
260. Telegram 8786 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy assessed the Pastrana government’s prospects and Colombia’s problems in light of the upcoming presidential elections.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated to Cali, Medellín, and USCINCSO.
261. Telegram 1 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Predicting victory by the liberal candidate, Alfonso López Michelsen, the Embassy discussed the electoral campaign and mentioned that U.S. policy had not been an issue in the campaign.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated to San José, Cali, Medellín, and USCINCSO.
262. Telegram 3504 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: In reporting López’s victory in the presidential election, the Embassy commented on the high abstention rate, the low conservative vote, and the Liberals’ control of both Houses of Congress.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740096–1180. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Cali, Medellín, and USCINCSO. On July 14, Vaky reported on the Electoral Court’s official vote tally for the presidential election. Out of a total of 5,174,224 votes cast, López received 2,911,292; Gómez received 136,736; Rojas de Moreno received 490,530; Echeverri received 136, 736; and Duarte received 5,657. (Telegram 6256 from Bogotá, July 16; ibid.) In an August 5 memorandum, the CIA concluded that while López would probably be more aggressive than his predecessors in reaching out to Communist countries, and while he might criticize some aspects of U.S. policy, the new Colombian President saw his criticism as constructive and therefore it would not damage bilateral ties. (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 79T00863A: Intel Pub Files, Box 34, Folder 1: Colombia Under A New President, No. 1035/74)
263. Telegram 3911 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky and Lopez discussed inter-American relations and trade and investment policy.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740110–0637. Confidential; Limdis. In telegram 45858 to Bogotá, March 7, the Department of State informed the Embassy that the Department of the Treasury was preparing to announce the initiation of a Countervailing Duty Proceeding in response to a Colombian tax-credit system for exports of cut flowers. (Ibid.) In telegram 2500 from Bogotá, March 25, the Embassy sent a summary of a letter from Vázquez to Kissinger in which the Foreign Minister maintained the export promotion system did not constitute a subsidy. (Ibid.) CATs were negotiable certificates issued by the Colombian Government which businesses could use to pay taxes. (Telegram 2632 from Bogotá, March 29; ibid.) The reference to a “nickel project” relates to plans by the Hanna/Chevron company to invest in Colombia. (Telegram 9519 from Bogotá, November 20, 1973; ibid.)
264. Telegram 8538 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky reported that a decision by the Colombian Government to virtually eliminate tax rebates for a wide range of commodities would substantially reduce the chances that the U.S. Government would be required to impose countervailing duties on Colombian exports to the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740268–1003. Unclassified. Repeated to Cali and Medellín.
265. Telegram 9572 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky informed the Department that key Colombian officials understood the seriousness of the narcotics problem, and that over the past two years Colombia had made progress in its drug enforcement efforts. However, Vaky was not satisfied with the progress to date, and he predicted that there would be a need for continued U.S. assistance and encouragement for the foreseeable future.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740306–0958. Confidential. In telegram 233134 to all diplomatic posts, October 23, the Department requested that Embassies report on narcotics control activities in their countries. (Ibid.)
266. Telegram 2128 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky reported that the outcome of the Quito MFM, the provisions of the U.S. Trade Act, and the U.S. Government’s handling of bilateral issues had caused the Colombian Government to doubt the sincerity and reliability of the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750078–1057. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. The Quito Conference is discussed in Documents 386, 389, and 396. In telegram 519 from Bogotá, January 17, Vaky reported on January 14 conversations between U.S. and Colombian officials on textiles, stating that the Colombians sought to stabilize and increase their share of the U.S. market. (Ibid.) The Urrutia-Thomson Treaty of 1914 guaranteed Colombia’s right of access to the Panama Canal. López, in a conversation with Mailliard and Vaky, expressed concern that the current Panama Canal negotiations maintain Colombia’s rights under the Urrutia-Thomson Treaty. The U.S. officials assured him that Colombia would be consulted with regard to U.S. capacity to comply with the Treaty. (Telegram 802 from Bogotá, January 27; RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750031–0766) Kissinger’s March 1 speech is in the Department of State Bulletin, March 24, 1975, pp. 361–369. In telegram 4902 from Bogotá, May 29, Vaky reported that a U.S.-Colombian agreement on textiles had been signed. (Ibid., D750189–1046)
267. Telegram 8169 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky informed the Department that the Colombian Government proposed phasing out the U.S. AID program, and provided his views on the implications for bilateral relations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750297–0045. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram 207024 to Bogotá, August 30, the Department welcomed the news of Colombia’s desire for a phase-out of the AID program, adding that AID would provide grant and loan funding for high-priority development projects during FY 1976. (Ibid.)
268. Telegram 8457 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy analyzed the López administration’s first year in office, concluding that while the Colombian Government had moved away from a close identification with the United States, it remained basically friendly. The Embassy suggested that Colombia might aim to play the role of middleman in what it a perceived to be growing confrontation between the United States and Latin America.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750306–0494. Confidential. Repeated to Cali and Medellín. Airgram A–84 from Bogotá, July 14, is ibid.
269. Telegram 222598 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Colombia
Summary: The Department concluded that President López’s statement that the United States was primarily responsible for Colombia’s drug trafficking did not reflect a slackening of interest on Colombia’s part regarding drug interdiction.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750324–0178. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Bown; cleared by Dugstad, Johnson, Costaki, and Devine; approved by Luers. Repeated to Caracas and Mexico. In telegram 8825 from Bogotá, September 13, Vaky reported that López had been upset for some time over the U.S. media’s reporting on drug trafficking in Colombia, but a September 12 editorial in the New York Times provoked him to issue a communiqué blaming the drug problem on “powerful organizations who commercialize the product in the United States;” López’s communiqué was transmitted to the Department in telegram 8826 from Bogotá. (Ibid., D750318–0499) In telegram 8849 from Bogotá, September 15, Vaky reported that López assumed that the responsibility for drug-interdiction efforts rested with the United States. (Ibid., D750319–0588)
270. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford, Kissinger, and López discussed trade issues, narcotics, and the Panama Canal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, Box 15, Visit, September 25–26, 1975, President Lopez of Colombia, 5. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. In an undated memorandum, Kissinger briefed the President on topics López would want to discuss, which included trade, U.S. assistance, the Panama Canal, the Quita Sueño treaty, and narcotics. The Secretary noted that the Green Amendment would give the President discretionary authority to exempt Venezuela and Ecuador, which did not participate in the 1973–1974 oil embargo, from the OPEC countries’ exclusion from the GSP. (Ibid.) In telegram 8463 from Bogotá, September 4, Vaky, in preparation for the meeting, stated that Colombia desired to forge a more independent relationship with the United States and aimed to be a spokesman on regional issues. (Ibid.)
271. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger, Ford, and López discussed OPEC, the U.N., the Darien Gap, trade, and the Panama Canal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Latin American Affairs Staff Files, Box 15, Visit, September 25–26, 1975, President López of Colombia, 6. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. On September 26, Kissinger and López held a follow-up conversation, in which they discussed regional and world issues, and European history. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820125–0025) Rogers sent Kissinger a briefing memorandum in advance of this meeting on September 19. (Ibid., ARA/NCA Files, Records Relating to Colombia, 1967–1975: Lot 78D45, POL 7.2, López State Visit, 3)
272. Telegram 10609 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky informed the Department that López believed he had obtained a commitment in Washington for funding to support the interdiction of illegal narcotics.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750381–0814. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to the DEA and Caracas.
273. Telegram 40131 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Colombia
Summary: The Department informed the Embassy that it was willing to provide increased anti-narcotics funding if Colombia developed a realistic control program and implemented commodity assistance programs.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to the Mission in Geneva. Drafted by Ernst and McLaughlin; cleared by Kranz, Grown, Wampler, and Mantonelli; approved by Ernst. In telegram 1176 from Bogotá, February 3, the Embassy informed the Department that López had tapped the Ministry of Defense as the executive authority responsible for coordinating the drug enforcement effort in Colombia. (Ibid., D760043–0056) In telegram 1671 from Bogotá, February 13, the Embassy recommended specific levels and types of assistance to be offered to the Colombian Government to support its anti-narcotics efforts. (Ibid., D760058–0436)
274. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft informed the President of Kissinger’s conversation with López, in which they discussed the Quita Sueño issue, textiles, and the racial dimension to potential Cuban intervention in the Caribbean.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 176, Trips, February 1976, Trips Book, Folder 11. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for Information. Ford initialed the memorandum. Kissinger held conversations with López and other Colombian officials on February 22 and February 23. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820117–0997 and P820117–0809) In telegram 54203 to Bogotá, March 5, the Department informed the Embassy of the follow-up action after the Secretary’s conversations. (Ibid., D760086–0764)
275. Telegram 2298 From the Embassy in Bogotá to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy commented on the different perceptions of U.S and Colombian officials with regard to anti-narcotics efforts and warned there was potential for misunderstanding.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760081–0266. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Caracas and DEA. Telegram 40131 to Bogotá is Document 273. In telegram 2314 from Bogotá, March 3, Vaky requested clarification of some of the proposals of telegram 40131. (Ibid., D760081–0297)
276. Telegram 58331 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Colombia
Summary: The Department welcomed López’s strong commitment to anti-narcotics measures and accepted his decision to make the Colombian Ministry of Defense responsible for directing and coordinating the anti-narcotics effort. The Department informed the Embassy that it would send down intelligence specialists to aid in the effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs to the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. In telegram 90271 to Bogotá, April 14, the Department informed the Embassy that $9 million of anti-narcotics assistance to Colombia was allocated through FY 1977. (Ibid.) In telegram 4306 from Bogotá, April 30, the Embassy reported that Vaky had briefed the Colombian Foreign Minister on the narcotics control assistance package described in telegram 90271 to Bogotá. (Ibid., D760165–0853) Telegram 2314 from Bogotá is referenced in the sourcenote to Document 275. Telegram 2298 from Bogotá is Document 275.
277. Telegram 5516 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: Vaky informed the Department that Lievano was disappointed with the level of U.S Government funding of anti-narcotics efforts, and perceived a U.S. lack of confidence in Colombia’s military to lead the effort. Vaky requested that the Department continue to reserve previously earmarked anti-narcotics funds for Colombia.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760217–0970. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Caracas, USCINCO, and DEA. In telegram 146051 to Bogotá, June 14, the Department informed the Embassy it was concerned that the Colombians seemed to be backing away from López’s declared intention to undertake a major anti-narcotics effort, and it instructed Vaky to inform the Colombian President of the Department’s policy. (Ibid., D760229–0184)
278. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Shlaudeman) and the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State and Coordinator for International Narcotics Matters (Vance) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Shlaudeman and Vance reported that the Chargé in Bogotá had reached an agreement on increased narcotics assistance to the National Police.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760132–0548. Secret. Sent through Habib. Drafted by Vance and Luers. Attached but not published are Tab 1, telegram 7617 from Bogotá, July 29, and Tab 2, a June 11 memorandum from Vance and Luers to Kissinger. In telegram 8176 from Bogotá, August 12, Sanchez reported on his conversations with Colombian officials regarding the operational details of the anti-narcotics plan. (Ibid., D760310–1037)
279. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Lievano discussed human rights, Panama, and economic relations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820118–1945. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis.
280. Telegram 12007 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy indicated that sharply reducing or eliminating the Military Group in Colombia would damage the U.S. Government’s relations with the Colombian military.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760445–0898. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Caracas, the Secretary of Defense, the JCS, and USCINCSO. In telegram 4988 from Bogotá, May 20, the Embassy reported on why U.S. military assistance to Colombia, and military groups in particular, were important in maintaining close U.S. Government ties with Colombia’s military. (Ibid., D760159–1163) In telegram 10303 from Bogotá, October 7, the Embassy informed the Department that it thought an 18-member U.S. military group in Colombia was necessary for effective management of military assistance over the next few years. (Ibid., D760379–0303) On December 1, the Department asked the Embassies in 11 Latin American nations to comment on the desirability of retaining military groups in their respective host countries. (Telegram 292128 to Lima, Bogotá, Caracas, Tegucigalpa, Managua, San Salvador, Guatemala, Santo Domingo, Mexico, Santiago, and Quito, December 1; ibid., D760444–0539)