171. Action Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs (Bowdler) and the Acting Legal Advisor (Feldman) to the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (Sisco)1
Human Rights Démarche in Chile
In recent weeks we have become increasingly concerned that the failure of the Government of Chile to make sufficient progress in eliminating continuing civil rights violations would jeopardize our ability to continue to provide appropriate economic and military assistance, and credit military sales to the Government of Chile. Several efforts have been made in both Houses of Congress either to cut drastically or to eliminate entirely assistance to Chile; we believe these efforts are likely to be successful either immediately or in the not-too-distant future unless there is some significant movement by the GOC toward complying with its international obligations with respect to human rights matters.
Since the Inter-American Human Rights Commission has recently made suggestions to the Government of Chile to improve its legal procedures, there is a new, multilateral foundation for a further approach by US. ARA and L, therefore, believe that time is now ripe for a new démarche on this subject following Ambassador Blake’s recent consultative visit. A telegram authorizing an appropriate low-key approach is attached for your approval.
Recommendation:
That you approve the attached cable.
[Page 461]Attachments:
A. Cable to Santiago, with referenced cables and press release.
B. Additional cables for background.
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Summary: Bowdler and Feldman noted that in recent weeks the Chilean Government had failed to make sufficient progress in eliminating civil rights violations and recommended that the Embassy be instructed to deliver a low-key démarche on the subject.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850148–2670. Confidential. Drafted by Gantz on August 29; cleared by Runyon and Shlaudeman. Tab A, a draft telegram, was sent as telegram 196836 to Santiago, September 7. (Ibid., D740249–0676) The attachments at Tab B have not been found. On September 9, Popper reported that even though the U.S. Government might find the IAHRC’s recommendations “eminently reasonable,” the Chilean Government did not, largely because the regime considered itself “to be engaged in a deadly game, against conspirators both at home and abroad, in which their lives are at stake.” Popper concluded that the U.S. Government should encourage the junta to restore normal legal and procedural practices as soon as possible. (Telegram 5492 from Santiago, September 9; ibid., D740250–1095) In telegram 5689 from Santiago, September 18, Popper reported that he had told Carvajal and Merino that Chile had to improve its human rights record if it wished to secure assistance from the U.S. Government. (Ibid., D740262–0074)
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