Office of the Historian

351. Telegram 2147 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State1

Montevideo, June 13, 1976, 1900Z.

2147. Subject: Recommend Continuation Relations With Demicheli Government. Ref: Secto 16151.

1. After the signing of the ACTA installing Demicheli as President, the Chief of Protocol announced to those Chief of Mission present (a majority) that “el cuerpo diplomatico ha consagrado un acto”. He said nothing else. Literally this means “the diplomatic corps has consecrated (sanctioned) an act”.

[Page 940]

2. In the circumstances of Saturday night’s events and the GOU’s view thereof, I doubt we will be receiving the customary note containing usual assurances. The GOU, given presence of most of the ambassadors at the ceremony, and the Chief of Protocol’s remarks related thereto, presumably takes it for granted that this circumstance signifies a continuation without further formality.

3. Despite the irregularities involved, including failure to give any formal advance notice of what the ceremony was to be, who the new president would be, or in what circumstances the office had been vacated. I believe there is in fact a continuation of the same government. Also, the published statement of the armed forces assuring no changes in international policies can probably be assumed to mean as well respect for international obligations.

4. Recommendation: I recommend that I be authorized immediately to continue business as usual with the GOU without further question or formality. Doing this will be consistent with actual situation regarding most other countries, as signified by their ambassador’s witnessing the signing of the “ACTA”. It would also be, in my opinion, “correct” conduct signifying neither approval, disapproval or preference. To avoid speculation, authorization should reach me early on Monday.

Siracusa

  1. Summary: Siracusa recommended that, although the circumstances of President Demicheli’s accession to office were unusual, he be instructed to “continue business as usual with the GOU.” Bordaberry stepped down on June 12.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760228–0431. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram Secto 16151, June 13, Rogers, who was traveling with Kissinger in Mexico, noted that any Embassy actions regarding the change of power should be “correct” and explained, “We should try by all means to avoid any conduct which could be interpreted as signaling either our approval or our disapproval of what has occurred.” (Ibid., D760228–0231) In telegram Secto 16164, June 14, Rogers emphasized to Siracusa that “we should without cavil treat the new government as the Government of Uruguay,” and that “in this delicate phase, I would like to stay in close touch with you” since it was important “to avoid any false signal either of preference or disapproval.” (Ibid., D760228–0982)

    ↩