Office of the Historian

329. Memorandum From Serban Vallimarescu of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)1

Washington, February 9, 1973.

SUBJECT

  • Uruguayan Situation Report

President Bordaberry’s position in his confrontation with the military appears to have deteriorated as the rebellious generals have stiffened their determination to force the President to dismiss retired General Francese as Minister of Defense. As things stand now it would seem that Bordaberry’s only way out would be to give in to the generals’ demands. This would certainly mark him as merely a puppet of the military although he might save some face by accepting the collective resignation of the entire 11-member Cabinet that was presented to him this morning. Behind the scene attempts to find a compromise solution are continuing.

A communiqué issued earlier today in the name of “Army and Air Force Commands” announced that, in view of “false” news reports, the Army and the Air Force had taken over the broadcast facilities of two major Montevideo radio stations to broadcast the “true” version of developing events. While denying that the Army and the Air Force sought to create a situation of violence or to damage the nation’s institutions, the communiqué called again for the dismissal of the Minister of Defense. A second communiqué from the same source made a strong appeal to the Navy to join the dissident Army and Air Force elements. The Navy Command flatly rejected the appeal. Our Embassy reports that the Navy’s barricade of the old city section of Montevideo [Page 892] has been reinforced by the addition of various heavy vehicles at various intersections near the harbor. Nearly all Montevideo radio and TV stations are apparently under the control of the Army and the Air Force and are being used exclusively to broadcast martial music and military communiqués.

Most civilian political sectors have expressed their support for the President. However, a newspaper which usually speaks for the principal leftist coalition has sided with the military. The Communist-controlled labor confederation has announced that it will declare a general strike if the military seizes power. A clandestine source reports, however, that the Communists view the strike as a “pro forma” move and do not intend to antagonize the military by provoking any violence. The Communists apparently hope that a “progressive” nationalist regime woud come to power if the military took control. Another clandestine source reports that journalists linked to the extreme leftist National Liberation Movement claim that a military coup is inevitable and represents a great victory for “the forces of national liberation.”

Our Embassy in Montevideo has been instructed to be careful to avoid being drawn into the conflict or to be used as an intermediary. We do not wish to get ourselves into a position where we even appear to be a party to the demise of Uruguayan constitutionalism should that take place. Our Embassy has been authorized to take the line with the Uruguayan Army leaders of all factions and with others that we hope and urge that the conflict can be resolved within the framework of Uruguay’s great constitutional tradition without bloodshed.

I should point out that there are no ideological differences between President Bordaberry and the senior military leaders. Bordaberry, who was elected President on November 28, 1971, is a member of the conservative wing of the Colorado Party, one of the two traditional Uruguayan political parties. He is a staunch anti-communist and a friend of the United States, as are the military leaders who are challenging him. The civilian-military conflict has been developing for the past several months over the military’s insistence for a more prominent role in the policy-making process. The Army and Air Force leaders have been actively charging politicians with corruption and misuse of government funds. They have been unhappy with the slowness of the executive in investigating their allegations.

  1. Summary: Vallimarescu reported on the situation in Montevideo, analyzed the roots of the conflict and noted the degree of support for each side.

    Source: Nixon Library, NSC-Latin America, Box 796, Folder 3, Uruguay Vol. I [1 of 2]. Secret. Sent for urgent information.

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