Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976

246. Memorandum From Mary Brownell and Dan Mozeleski of the National Security Council Staff to Les Janka of the National Security Council Staff¹

Washington, September 21, 1976.

SUBJECT

• Bombing of Former Chilean Ambassador’s Car

At approximately 0915 this morning an explosion destroyed an auto in the vicinity of the Rumanian and Irish Embassies near Sheridan Circle. Two persons were killed and one injured. Neither Embassy was damaged, but a car belonging to an Embassy employee reportedly was damaged.

One of the dead has tentatively been identified as Orlando Letelier, former Chilean ambassador to the United States and a prominent figure in the Allende government. The identification of the deceased as Letelier is reasonably certain, but we do not yet know if the next of kin has confirmed the identity of the body. Letelier has been in the U.S. for a couple of years after being imprisoned in Chile after the coup. He was the director of the Trans National Institute, a policy research organization in Washington; he also taught at American University. We understand from State that his release from Chile was brought about as a result of pressure from the Hill, major U.S. newspapers, and the Department.

The other two people in the car are identified as Michael and Veronica Moffitt, both of whom also work at the Trans National Institute. Michael Moffitt is the only survivor. (Do not release the names of the Moffitts as we do not yet know if the next of kin have been notified.)

The FBI is conducting the investigation in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department. FBI jurisdiction arises from the law Protecting Foreign Diplomats and International Persons which has a provision covering former ambassadors to the United States.

No group or individual has claimed credit for the bombing, and we have no evidence on the perpetrators or their specific motivation. In view of Letelier’s role in the Allende government, right wing Chileans are the obvious candidates. But they seem to be too obvious, and we think that they would think twice about creating a martyr for the Chilean Left. We know of no specific event which would precipitate the bombing as an act of revenge. Nor is there any specific action under way on the Hill or in the UN which could be linked to the murder.

We suggest that you use the attached statement trying to keep the event in a low key until we have something firm to work on.

1. Summary: NSC staff members reported that a car bomb had killed former Chilean Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier and his American assistant, Veronica Moffitt, in Washington. They added that while right-wing Chileans were obvious suspects, it seemed unlikely that they would wish to create a martyr for the Chilean left.

   Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Council Latin American Affairs Staff Files, Box 1, Chile, Political, Military, 3. Official Use Only. Sent for information. Attached but not published is a suggested statement on the bombing.