Uruguay
327. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Summary: The Central Intelligence Agency described the ongoing crisis between President Bordaberry and elements of the Uruguayan military, nominally over the appointment of a new defense minister. It concluded that although civilian support for the military position was slim, the military could still overthrow President Bordaberry if it chose to.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 79T00861A: Intel Pub Files (1973), Box 4, Folder 30: Uruguay (Sit Rept 1). Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].
328. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Eliot summarized the dispute between President Bordaberry and the different branches of the military and reported that instructions had been given to the Embassy to remain neutral.
Source: Nixon Library, NSC-Latin America, Box 796, Folder 3. Confidential. In a memorandum to Scowcroft on the same date, Howe reported that there did not appear to be any “foreign involvement” in the dispute and that it “does not concern political orientation and factions but rather the degree of civilian versus military control in the government.” He noted that Uruguay “has one of the few democratic governments that have survived in Latin America” but that there appeared “to be no immediate policy implications for the US.” (Ibid.)
329. Memorandum From Serban Vallimarescu of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)
Summary: Vallimarescu reported on the situation in Montevideo, analyzed the roots of the conflict and noted the degree of support for each side.
Source: Nixon Library, NSC-Latin America, Box 796, Folder 3, Uruguay Vol. I [1 of 2]. Secret. Sent for urgent information.
330. Telegram 436 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that the Uruguayan military, now the dominant power in Uruguay, shared some elements of a leftist political orientation with the reformist Peruvian military government. Ultimately, however, the Embassy concluded that Uruguay’s military was unwilling to govern directly and too nationalistic to consciously model itself on the military of any other South American nation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 23–8 UR. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Repeated for information to Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Lima and Southcom. In telegram 519 from Montevideo, February 16, the Embassy reported that a meeting had taken place between some leaders of the military and the Convención Nacional de los Trabajadores (CNT), and that on February 13 the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uruguay (PCU) had declared its support for some points in the military’s platform. The Embassy concluded that there was “a coincidence of interests” between the military, the labor movement and the communist party that led to “a tactical ‘alliance’ which is very unstable, given the extreme hostilities which have existed between these groups in the past.” (Ibid.)
331. Telegram 453 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy noted that an agreement between President Bordaberry and the armed forces had ended the political crisis with minimal changes to Uruguay’s government institutions or personnel, although the “locus of power” now rested in the military. The Embassy recommended that the U.S. adopt “a low-key, business as usual position” on routine interactions between the two governments but watch new developments carefully.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 15 UR. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated Immediate to Southcom and to DIA. In a memorandum to Kissinger, February 13, Eliot reported many of the same points about the agreement but made no policy recommendations. (Nixon Library, NSC-Latin America, Box 796, Folder 3, Uruguay Vol. I [1 of 2])
332. Telegram 28424 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: The Department of State concurred with the Embassy’s recommendation that contact with the Uruguayan Government should be normal but that any new initiatives should wait until developments in Uruguay were clearer.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 15 UR. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by Stedman and K.N. Rogers; cleared by Crimmins; and approved by Meyer. Repeated for information to Southcom. Telegram 453 from the Embassy in Uruguay is Document 331.
333. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Summary: The Central Intelligence Agency concluded that the February dispute between President Bordaberry and the Uruguayan military had ended with the armed forces “in virtual control of the government,” and that the military would soon move toward economic reform.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 79T00861A: Intel Pub Files (1973), Box 11, Folder 1: The Future Role of the Military in Uruguay. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Attached notes indicate that the memorandum was distributed to Kendall, Jorden, Stedman, Vallimarescu, and Summ.
334. Telegram 1176 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that “a period of relative political calm” had been reached since the February crisis, and assessed the factors among the military, President Bordaberry, economic development plans, political parties, the left, and the public that might influence future events.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 14 UR. Confidential. Repeated for information to Southcom and DIA. Airgram A–27 from Montevideo, March 3, reported that the rise to power of the military over a civilian political structure that had seemed stable could be attributed to a number of factors, including longstanding Uruguayan economic troubles, the relative prestige of the military versus the government bureaucracy and politicians, Bordaberry’s lack of institutional support from a political party, and Bordaberry’s poor management of the crisis. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files, 1970–73, POL 15 UR) In telegram 1199 from Montevideo, April 24, Ortiz reported on his April 20 meeting with Foreign Minister Blanco. Blanco asserted that Bordaberry had power over the military, which he described as anti-communist, and that the new National Security Council (COSENA) would be a useful tool to curb corruption. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])
335. Telegram 2025 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that the Uruguayan crisis, which culminated in the June 27 closure of Congress, had reached a decisive stage but it was unclear what the final outcome would be. Ortiz recommended that, if President Bordaberry and Foreign Minister Blanco made the traditional courtesy call at the Embassy on July 4, he emphasize the “common commitment to democratic ideals” shared by the two countries.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated for information to La Paz.
336. Telegram 130541 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: The Department concurred with the Embassy’s recommendation on how to respond to President Bordaberry’s potential inquiry, with a few caveats.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Kenneth N. Rogers of ARA/LA/APU; approved by Hurwitch; and cleared by Stedman. The full text of Nixon’s speech is in Public Papers: Nixon, 1969, pp 887–891. Telegram 2025 from the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State is Document 335.
337. Telegram 2164 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: Ortiz reported on his conversation with Defense Minister Ravenna, who explained the Bordaberry administration’s economic and social goals and its reasons for the suppression of opposition parties.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated for information to Brasilia, Buenos Aires, La Paz, and Southcom.
338. Telegram 205744 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: During an October 15 meeting with Kubisch, Uruguayan Ambassador Luisi suggested that the U.S. could encourage the Government of Uruguay by converting part of its military sales program into a grant program. Kubisch replied that the U.S. would consider any proposal Uruguay wished to bring, but that a new grant program was unrealistic.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Rogers; approved by Kubisch; and cleared by Bowdler and in OSD/ISA. Uruguayan Foreign Minister Blanco also met with Kubisch and Bowdler at the Department on September 28, 1973. See telegram 195330 to Montevideo, October 1. (Ibid.)
339. Telegram 3712 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: Ambassador Siracusa reported on his December 26 conversation with President Bordaberry, who argued that the United States should not interpret events in Uruguay to mean that a military government had been established. He said that he and other leaders had chosen to try to end stagnation and to save Uruguay’s democratic institutions, which, “as they operated, were themselves the real threat to democracy in Uruguay.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Limited Official Use. Repeated to Southcom. Siracusa presented his credentials on September 25. In telegram 3341 from Montevideo, November 12, the Embassy outlined the Bordaberry administration’s policies in the four months since the Congress had been closed. It noted that Bordaberry had often allied himself “with the so-called hardliners,” and that the President and military leaders together had “proclaimed in often messianic terms that they are saving Uruguay” and were “drawing the line for a new morality and new approach to the country’s problems.” (Ibid.)
340. Telegram 2224 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that military politics and the military decision-making process were unsettled, which had temporarily improved President Bordaberry’s position.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740218–0183. Confidential. Repeated for information to Asuncion, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Southcom, and DIA. Telegram 2233 from Montevideo, August 8, transmitted the following correction: “Para 4, reftel, should be corrected to read as follows: ‘Marcial Bugallo, Minister of Labor until mid-July, told an EmbOff that he and other ministers repeatedly got calls from the Joint Staff (ESMACO) urging a certain action and then from a service CINC or other senior officer urging a contrary action. The Director of Planning and Budget recently told the AID rep that there were some serious doubts in the GOU about approving Navegacion Atlantida’s request for a sub-loan under AID’s L–022. That was later followed by an ESMACO officer’s call to the DCM urging Mission approval of the sub-loan, although the GOU had not officially determined its position. Several days later, Col. Cicalese, who serves as Sub-Director of Planning and Budget, informed the AID rep that the Director of ESMACO, Brig. Cardoso, had definitely rejected the company’s request for GOU approval of the sub-loan. The military is not united on policy. Siracusa.’” (Ibid., D740218–0686) Telegram 1658 from Montevideo, June 17, summarized the apparent resolution of the late May 1974 crisis in which Bordaberry named Gen. Julio Cesar Vadora as Army CINC and Bordaberry “agreed to accepting stronger military participation in the government.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740158–0610) “Chiappe” refers to the former Army CINC, Lt. Gen. Hugo Chiappe.
341. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Blanco discussed the role of the legislative branch, subversive movements, and Cuba.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820125–0458. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Bartch; approved by Covey on October 29. Distributed in S/S and to Peter Rodman at the White House. The meeting took place in the Secretary’s Office. Blanco was in the United States for the OAS General Assembly. Telegram 110984 to Montevideo, May 13, gave a shortened account of the meeting that focused on Blanco’s statements about the problems of Uruguay and the portion of the conversation regarding Cuba. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850083–2585) A May 9 Briefing Memorandum and background papers for the meeting are in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820145–0375. The text of Kissinger’s March 1 speech, “The United States and Latin America: The New Oppurtunity,” presented to the Combined Service Club in Houston, is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, March 24, 1975, pp. 361–369.
342. Letter from Russell E. Olson, Political Officer of the Embassy in Uruguay to Aurelia A. Brazeal, Country Officer for Uruguay and Paraguay, ARA–LA/APU
Summary: Olson responded to Brazeal’s queries on the Embassy’s practices regarding human rights and on the human rights situation in Uruguay.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840001–0317. Confidential. The July 29 letter from Brazeal to Olson has not been found. “A–23” refers to a March 8 airgram entitled “Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Uruguay.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P750047–1488)
343. Telegram 295966 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: The Department summarized discussions held with Wilson Ferreira Aldunate, Uruguayan former senator and presidential candidate, on December 12.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750437–0247. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Brazeal; approved by Ryan; and cleared by Lister and Bartch. In a memorandum to Rogers on November 26, Siracusa urged that Ferreira not be “received by anyone in the Bureau, Department of State, or Executive Branch” since he had “taken to sniping at the Uruguayan government in a most irresponsible fashion” and “his reception by anyone in the Department or Executive Branch would be exploited for personal propagandistic purposes in a way adverse to our interest.” (National Archives, RG 59, Human Rights Subject Files 1973–1975, Lot 77D391, Human Rights—Uruguay) In telegram 291185 to Montevideo, December 10, the Department responded that Rogers had declined to see Ferreira, but since “it is our policy to listen to just about anyone who wishes to talk to us” and since Ferreira “remains one of the few non-Marxist political quote figures of importance unquote,” Ferreira would be received by lower-level personnel in ARA. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750429–0935) In telegram 4266 from Montevideo, December 11, Siracusa responded that he believed a meeting with Ferreira “will have a detrimental effect on our relations with Uruguay” since “he is on a mission abroad looked upon by the GOU as an effort to defame it.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750432–0335)
344. Telegram 4335 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy requested information on the Department’s response to Ferreira’s charges, arguing that he had spread rumors alleging the Ambassador’s involvement in the political crisis of May 1975.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750439–0184. Confidential. In telegram 1788 from Montevideo, May 29, the Embassy reported that the previous weeks’ confrontation between Bordaberry and the Uruguayan military had been “a standoff with no clear winners or losers.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750189–0877) Siracusa was absent from Uruguay May 2 to May 30. (Telegram 1312 from Montevideo, April 22, National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750141–0068, and telegram 123317 to Montevideo, May 28, National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750185–1028)
345. Telegram 298008 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: The Department outlined its response to the charges made by Ferreira.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750441–0200. Confidential. Drafted and approved by Jack M. Smith of ARA–LA/APU. The pouched report on the conversation has not been found. Telegram 4335 from the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State is Document 344.
346. Memorandum from Special Assistant and Human Rights Officer, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs (Lister) to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs (Ryan)
Summary: Lister outlined to Ryan the need for a strategy session regarding human rights in Uruguay.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, HA Country Files 1977, Lot 80D177, Human Rights Uruguay—1976. Confidential. The letters from Congressman Fraser and Senator Kennedy and the Department’s replies were not attached, but some late 1975 correspondence between Fraser and the Department is in the National Archives, RG 59, Human Rights Subject Files 1973–1975, Lot 77D391, Human Rights—Uruguay. In telegram 241 from Montevideo, January 20, the Embassy summarized the human rights situation in Uruguay and suggested ways that aid might be targeted to improve human rights in Uruguay. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])
347. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Siracusa and Blanco discussed human rights.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840001–0333. Confidential. Drafted by Siracusa. The meeting took place at the Foreign Ministry. The memorandum of conversation was sent to Ingersoll under a March 4 covering memorandum from Rogers and Wilson, summarizing Siracusa’s approach as “quiet diplomacy” and noting that it had been commended by Rogers. Siracusa was scheduled to meet with Ingersoll on March 10. A briefing memorandum for that meeting, which describes human rights as the “one potentially significant issue” in U.S.-Uruguayan bilateral relations, is in the National Archives, RG 59, HA Country Files 1977, Lot 80D177, Human Rights Uruguay—1976.
348. Telegram 1610 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy responded to the passage of an amendment in the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, House of Representatives, that would cut off all U.S. military aid and credit sales to Uruguay for fiscal year 1977. Although the Embassy assumed the subcommittee had passed the amendment because of its “perception of the human rights situation in Uruguay,” the Embassy believed that the amendment would “adversely affect other U.S. interests without changing the situation it is intended to correct.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760176–0864. Limited Official Use; Priority. In telegram 109861 to Montevideo, May 5, the Department reported the passage of the amendment in subcommittee. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760173–0911) The amendment was introduced by Rep. Edward I. Koch of New York. (Congressional Record, House of Representatives—Wednesday, May 5, 1976, pp. 12586–12587) Lister forwarded Koch’s statement to Luers and telegram 1610 on May 7. (National Archives, RG 59, HA Country Files 1977, Lot 80D177, Human Rights Uruguay—1976)
349. Telegram 2046 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that although the GOU could have arranged the deaths of Uruguayan exiles in Argentina, it had no evidence that the GOU did so. The Embassy doubted that the GOU would have seen a need to arrange for their killings, given “the relatively stable political and security situation here.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760219–0064. Secret; Immediate. Repeated for information to Asuncion, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, La Paz, and Santiago. In telegram 137156 to Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asuncion, Santiago, Brasilia, and La Paz, June 4, the Department asked whether “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” and whether the posts had “evidence to support or deny allegations of international arrangements among governments to carry out such assassinations or executions.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760214–0807) In telegram 2082 from Montevideo, June 9, the Embassy noted that although “Uruguayan security officers have also informed GOA of such Uruguayans of interest to GOU,” the embassy believed “that such identification, if it does occur, is for purpose of detention in Argentina and subsequent interrogation.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760221–1040)
350. Telegram 16118 From the Delegation of the Secretary of State in Mexico to the Department of State
Summary: Kissinger and Blanco discussed the problems of “middle-income countries,” the political situation in Uruguay, and Argentina.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760225–0603. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated for information to Montevideo. Kissinger and Blanco were both in Chile for the OASGA from June 7–9. Kissinger traveled to Mexico on June 10 to meet with President Echeverria and senior Mexican officials.
351. Telegram 2147 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: Siracusa recommended that, although the circumstances of President Demicheli’s accession to office were unusual, he be instructed to “continue business as usual with the GOU.” Bordaberry stepped down on June 12.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760228–0431. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram Secto 16151, June 13, Rogers, who was traveling with Kissinger in Mexico, noted that any Embassy actions regarding the change of power should be “correct” and explained, “We should try by all means to avoid any conduct which could be interpreted as signaling either our approval or our disapproval of what has occurred.” (Ibid., D760228–0231) In telegram Secto 16164, June 14, Rogers emphasized to Siracusa that “we should without cavil treat the new government as the Government of Uruguay,” and that “in this delicate phase, I would like to stay in close touch with you” since it was important “to avoid any false signal either of preference or disapproval.” (Ibid., D760228–0982)
352. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Ryan) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Ryan summarized the removal of Bordaberry, the actions of the military regarding Uruguayan Government institutions, and the reaction of the Uruguayan populace, concluding that U.S. interests in Uruguay were not threatened by these changes. He argued that the passage of the Koch amendment could harm U.S. relations with Uruguay by giving “the upper hand” to “military hardliners.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760097–2115. Confidential. Drafted on June 17 by Brazeal. A handwritten notation on the first page of the memorandum indicates that Kissinger saw the memo.
353. Telegram 154322 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: The Department described a June 19 meeting among Ferreira, Luers, Lister and Smith.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760242–0007. Confidential; Priority. Repeated for information to Buenos Aires. Drafted by Smith;, cleared by Zimmerman; approved by Ryan. In telegram 2324 from Montevideo, June 23, the Embassy reported that Ferreira’s “broad, sweeping charges, without foundation,” were intended “to involve USG, the Ambassador and this Embassy in Uruguayan internal affairs and to further his own political interests.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760243–0809)
354. Memorandum From Robert W. Zimmermann, Director of the Office of East Coast Affairs, ARA/ECA, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Ryan) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Shlaudeman)
Summary: Zimmermann and Ryan outlined the Department’s contacts with Koch over the course of May and June.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840001–0322. No classification marking. The talking points prepared for Luers were not attached, but a set of relevant talking points is in the National Archives, RG 59, HA Country Files 1977, Lot 80D177, Human Rights—Uruguay—1976.
355. Telegram 2722 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State
Summary: Siracusa criticized the Department’s handling of the accusations made by Koch against the Embassy in Uruguay, asking that the Department brief Koch using Embassy reporting on Ferreira.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760281–0662. Unclassified. Repeated for information to Buenos Aires. In telegram 2341 from Montevideo, June 24, the Embassy responded to material that Koch had placed in the Congressional Record on June 22, which questioned the integrity of the Embassy’s human rights reporting and which Siracusa believed was based on information Ferreira had given to Koch. Siracusa asked that the Department decontrol telegrams 2270, 2322 and 2324 from Montevideo, all of which discuss the Embassy’s assessments of Ferreira, and make them available to Koch for placement in the Congressional Record. (Ibid., [no film number]) In telegram 169681 from the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay, July 8, Kissinger noted that “the Department is most concerned about the allegations Ferreira has made about the U.S. Embassy and U.S. officials and believes these changes must be refuted.” (Ibid., D760264–1208) A letter from Ryan to Koch regarding Ferreira, dated July 14, is in the National Archives, RG 59, HA Country Files 1977: Lot 80D177, Human Rights Uruguay—1976.
356. Telegram 196058 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay
Summary: Deputy Assistant Secretary Ryan described his visits to Reps. Koch and Fraser prior to hearings they held on human rights in Uruguay.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760304–0872. Secret; Priority; Stadis. Ryan’s August 4 testimony at the hearings is in Hearings Before the Subcommittee on International Organizations of the Committee on International Relations, Ninety-Fourth Congress, Second Session, pp. 109–114.