318. Telegram 2418 From the Embassy in Peru to the Department of State1

2418. For Assistant Secretary Rogers from Ambassador Dean. Subject: [less than 1 line not declassified]

1. [1 paragraph (8 lines) not declassified]

2. [1 paragraph (17 lines) not declassified]

3. You are correct in your presumption that our attachés have been getting pressure from DIA for extensive reporting, to the extent of open telephone calls from the quote DIA alert center unquote. In a sharply worded cable yesterday [less than 1 line not declassified] requested curtailment this practice. [1 line not declassified] This would be of help to me and to our colleagues in dealing full cooperation here but your message would help our people explain any intelligence gaps or cutoffs and also avoid ill-considered intelligence requirements.

4. I share fully your view that details of coup plotting and timing are not vital and that our procurement of this level of information carries unnecessary risks. We were caught flat-footed on the specifics of the change of government here last August 29. As far as I can see this in no way affected our security situation here nor did it lead to [Page 860] any negative reaction from Washington. It was a comfortable situation to be in, as long as the requirements of personnel and Embassy security were met (as they were), and we were thoroughly aware of the main directions and implications of the political situation at that time.

5. As you know from our overall reporting, the contradictions and opposing forces in the present situation are being discussed widely all over town. Rumors of coup plotting and even the names of a few of the possible coup participants are being bruited about. I am sure that every Embassy in town is gathering information and reporting to their home offices. In the order of probabilities I think it is most likely that nothing will happen in the next few days and that the reaction to Plan Tupac Amaru and Fernandez-Maldonado’s increasing role will largely serve as an indication of the deep concern and opposition within the body politic. The second-ranking probability is that some navy hot heads and their supporters will experience early retirement. The possibility of a serious coup attempt ranks in third place. If it happens it could be rough. Many Peruvians seem to be in a show-down mood.

6. We are taking no sides and are determined to avoid any involvement or appearance of involvement. The situation this year is somewhat different from 1974 and early 1975 in that we are no longer automatically considered or charged as being involved in political action or rumored action here. Our position is one of support for Peruvian development and the GOP’s programs of social reform. Where we have problems such as Marcona, we are known to be committed to a process of peaceful negotiation in good faith and without rancor or enmity.

7. One additional question that concerns me is the security of our own reporting channels. In a visit to my office today Dave Belnap of the Los Angeles Times said that Jim Foster of Scripps Howard News Service had decided to stay on longer in Lima because he had received word from his Washington office of Embassy reporting of coup plotting in Lima. In addition to the question of the extent and manner that we keep our ear to the ground, this type of report raises the question of the extent and manner in which we should report what we hear.

8. This has been a longer reply than I had intended. The important point is that I understand your message and will comply. We have been highly sensitive to this problem over the past two years but I agree that a review of the bidding and a reaffirmation of our guidelines to all concerned are indeed necessary at peak points on the political fever chart when the interest runs high and the trickle of information and rumors becomes a torrent.

Dean
  1. Summary: Dean reported that he understood Rogers’s concern regarding the importance of avoiding intelligence activities which could implicate the U.S. Government in coup plotting.

    Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Box 14, Lima, 1963–1979. Secret; Immediate; Roger Channel. Attached but not published was a note in an unknown hand that reads: “Dean’s answer to Rogers . . .” Rogers’s instructions to Dean could not be found.