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

253. Paper Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency¹

Washington, undated.

ITEMS WHICH MAY BE DISCUSSED

A. Deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Chile. Our firm insistence on the recognition of human rights in Chile has been a continuing thorn in the side of the Chilean government, which regards it as meddling in internal affairs. The Ambassador’s 4th of July Reception was shunned by the Chilean government, with Air Force General Leigh the only junta member attending. A recent intelligence report [less than 1 line not declassified] indicates that the Chileans plan on assuming a more distant, but still correct, attitude toward the U.S. Embassy in the future. The Chileans also asked to be excluded from this year’s foreign aid appropriation allegedly because of their unwillingness to be subjected to the political pressures which follow acceptance of such aid.

B. Release by the Chilean Government of nearly 300 political prisoners. Press reports highlighted the fact that the GOC announcement followed by only two days a statement by President-elect Carter that U.S. aid in the future would be tied to human rights issues; our clandestine reporting indicates that although this move is indeed an attempt to improve the image of Chile abroad, its planning predated the Carter announcement by several weeks. News of the release of the political prisoners has been received in the U.N. and elsewhere with guarded optimism as a step in the right direction.

C. [1 paragraph (5½ lines) not declassified]

D. Condor (the Southern Cone intelligence cooperative agreement between Chile, Argentine, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Brazil.) In early October, after consulting with Ambassador Popper, [less than 1 line not declassified] confronted the Chilean head of DINA, Colonel Manuel Contreras, with U.S. knowledge of Condor’s existence. Colonel Contreras denied that our information of Condor was accurate and refused to admit that one of its objectives was to operate against terrorists in Europe. Recent clandestinely acquired information indicates that plans for Condor are continuing.

E. [1 paragraph (12 lines) not declassified]

1. Summary: The CIA reviewed items which could come up in a meeting between Popper and Colby, including deteriorating relations with Chile, the human rights situation, and Operation Condor.

   Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 79M00467A: Subject Files Correspondence, Box 8, Folder 16: B–7.2: Briefings of Ambassadors. Secret. Attached but not published are a covering memorandum [name not declassified] to Colby, November 23; a curriculum vitae for Popper; and a Country Profile for Chile. A record of the conversation between Popper and Colby has not be found.