Office of the Historian

276. Telegram 58331 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Colombia1

Washington, March 10, 1976.

58331. Subject: Narcotics Assistance. Ref: Bogota 2314 and 2298.

1. We are in substantial agreement with views expressed reftels. Colombia continues to be of major importance in our international anti-narcotics effort and holds the key to our hopes of substantially reducing amount of cocaine reaching U.S. We are pleased with the strong commitment of President Lopez to deal with the problem and are fully committed to being responsive. As you know his decision to place responsibility for directing and coordinating the anti-narcotics effort in the hands of the MOD and give the military a key role has raised a number of concerns here. Nevertheless, we recognize this (1) is a Colombian decision, (2) given the structure of the Colombian government, makes sense, and (3) is probably essential to conduct the concerted major effort needed to achieve the results we seek.

2. Thus we are anxious to move ahead in preparing a program in which we would do our part. We have already included 8–10 million dollars for a Colombian program in our preliminary planning through FY 1977, but wish emphasize that in the end the program might be larger or smaller, as required by GOC plan of attack and degree to which our participation required. We are committed to doing our share in a major cooperative effort, and it is on this basis that we would like to see talks go forward with the Colombians. Assuming these talks would lead to a solid program we would expect no serious problem in presenting it to Congress.

3. The team we propose to send would bring together those from Washington who know what we need to draft a program which meets requirements here and those from mission who know the details of the problem in Colombia. We would hope that their discussions could [Page 742] develop the outlines of a logical narcotics suppression plan which mission could then discuss with GOC. From basic plan (as distinguished from organization) to agreement on resource requirements would not be long process.

4. To provide the above team with best, most current possible information, DEA is prepared to send to Bogota two or three intelligence specialists to go over material collected during Operation Kitchen and interview those Americans at post who were involved. These persons would contact GOC officials only with prior mission approval. Initial study would be available three weeks after team reached Bogota, and will concentrate on cocaine trafficking methods and patterns. Team can depart Washington as soon as mission cables its approval.

5. In addition to work to be done by intelligence team, we hope other mission elements will be asked to cooperate fully in providing current data base for planners. For example, economic/commercial section should reactivate its investigation of ether imports, DAO could update October 75 DIA Military Intelligence Summary for Colombia (which reports that Colombia Air Force has 34 rpt 34 helicopters), etc.

6. Proposed Timing: To avoid further delays, intelligence team can depart Washington as soon as Embassy approves visit. We would suggest that planning team not wait for completion of study, but arrive Bogota about one week after intelligence team has set to work, using early arrival for discussions with mission officials, field visits and if mission concurs, preliminary talks with GOC officials. Kissinger unquote.

Ingersoll

  1. Summary: The Department welcomed López’s strong commitment to anti-narcotics measures and accepted his decision to make the Colombian Ministry of Defense responsible for directing and coordinating the anti-narcotics effort. The Department informed the Embassy that it would send down intelligence specialists to aid in the effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs to the United States.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. In telegram 90271 to Bogotá, April 14, the Department informed the Embassy that $9 million of anti-narcotics assistance to Colombia was allocated through FY 1977. (Ibid.) In telegram 4306 from Bogotá, April 30, the Embassy reported that Vaky had briefed the Colombian Foreign Minister on the narcotics control assistance package described in telegram 90271 to Bogotá. (Ibid., D760165–0853) Telegram 2314 from Bogotá is referenced in the sourcenote to Document 275. Telegram 2298 from Bogotá is Document 275.

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