Office of the Historian

209. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and the Ambassador to the United Nations (Moynihan)1

Washington, November 11, 1975.

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Chile.]

M: Right. One last thing. The question of Chile comes up tomorrow. The Department says we should vote with this resolution. Bill Rogers thinks it. Bill Buffum thinks it. We think it. I hope you will sign off on that because it will make things follow.

K: What resolution is that?

M: It says the practice of human rights in Chile—it says you haven’t done very good and to do better.

K: We are experts at undermining our friends.

M: Can I make this point? It has merit. I think the resolution is marginally justified. If we get this resolution passed I propose to make a speech on Thursday in the General Assembly. I will start off with how come the only thing the UN . . . about is Chile and South Africa and then make a case for Chile. Chile is the first country to consider letting the Human Rights Commission come. The Latin Americans will probably split about 7-7-7. The Western Europeans are solidly for it. If we aren’t for it I am afraid we will have problems with Fraser.

K: I will probably go along with it but I don’t like it.

M: But I think it is tactfully the way to go.

K: But when we get a Portuguese government in power in Chile we will be in a . . .

M: I agree. And I will make a speech on this behalf.

K: I will get Rogers to call you on that.

[Page 577]

M: I will have to ask for a call by this afternoon.

K: I’ll get him to call you by this afternoon.

  1. 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)

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