139. Telegram 4549 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State1

4549. Subj: Press Reports. Ref: State 189464.

1. Although we have no hard information to confirm or deny allegations reported reftel, we doubt summary mass executions at National Stadium have taken place. Volleys fired for purpose would be heard far away in stillness of Santiago night curfew. Stadium in populated area and on edge of areas where many foreigners reside. Entire Foreign Press Corps and two ICRC Representatives visited National Stadium Sept 20. While not allowed individual interviews, they did have voice contact with detainees whose only complaint was slowness of interrogation process and quality of food. Jerry O’Leary of Washington Star news, an experienced Marine Reserve Officer, tells us it would be physically impossible for executions to take place there without knowledge outside of stadium. He was given special access and in two-and-half hours there interviewed many and saw complete list of detainees, and no one made claim that prisoners being shot. Executions are kind of news we are confident Chileans would eagerly carry to US as well as other missions and to foreign correspondents.

2. Dept has in hand file of messages reporting considerable effort made by Embassy in behalf of Garret-Schesch couple and other US detainees. Couple made no complaints about Embassy handling of their case to consul who received them into custody. Rather, expressed gratitude for Embassy efforts.

3. Re resident exilees, see Santiago 4377 and previous.

4. Comment: Reports suggest initiation of concerted defamation campaign to smear new GOC. Such statement will not facilitate our efforts in behalf of other Amcit detainees.

Davis
  1. Summary: Although press reports discussed mass executions of prisoners in Chile, the Embassy indicated that it had no hard information to confirm or deny the allegations.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. In telegram 189464 to Santiago, September 24, the Department informed the Embassy of news reports on torture and executions in Chile’s National Stadium. (Ibid.) In telegram 4589 from Santiago, September 25, the Embassy informed the Department that two U.S. citizens detained in the National Stadium reported that they saw no mistreatment of prisoners, and neither did other foreigners detained in the same location. (Ibid., P750018–1258)