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

358. Telegram 3123 From the Embassy in Uruguay to the Department of State¹

Montevideo, August 24, 1976, 1645Z.

3123. Subject: Operation Condor. Ref: State 209192.

1. Since tomorrow is a holiday I will have no chance of seeing Gen. Vadora until perhaps Thursday or Friday at the earliest. Therefore wish to make certain observations for clarification:

A) [3 lines not declassified] as I understand it the information concerning Condor activities of the kind we are making representations [less than 1 line not declassified] have come almost exclusively [less than 1 line not declassified] for all of us to base our concerns on “rumors”, and especially for me to tell Gen. Vadora that our concerns are based on “rumors”, seems hardly likely to be convincing or believed as government representations of this gravity and sensitivity, and at the levels contemplated would not be made on the basis of “rumors”. [3½ lines not declassified] before acting, therefore, I wish assurances that this factor has been fully taken into account including all of its potential consequences. Perhaps, at minimum, some invented but harmless source could be stated as responsible for rumors to place them outside the Southern Cone.

B) [6 lines not declassified]

C) While I think the Department is right that only person I could talk to here at this time who could have the desired influence is Gen. Vadora, I am disturbed that confining my representations to him alone will have a bad effect on the integrity of my acceptance here and especially on my valuable relation with FonMinister Blanco. Obviously, what I will be talking about is not a matter of defense arrangements or security assistance for which I might logically go to the chief of the army. It is a matter affecting political relationships between states and therefore one which, I believe, I must take up with the FonMinister as well. Finally, since consultation at the levels contemplated elsewhere must inevitably get back to Blanco, I feel I must discuss it with him even though this may be the first news he has of the allegedly contemplated “operations”.

D) Representations on matters of this kind, which are of such a sensitive nature that they could affect an ambassador’s relationship with specific key officials, or even to the government to which he is accredited, are often better done by the Department of State with the ambassadors in Washington. Since nothing is said about this aspect in the referenced instruction it is my recommendation that the ambassadors of the countries concerned be called in by the Department to receive similar representations at least at the assistant secretary level. Since in the case of Uruguay the ambassador is a military man who may have influence on his commanders, it seems all the more appropriate.

E) So as not to appear insensitive to the other side of the terrorist coin, I believe we should add to our representation some statement of understanding and concern for the fact that terrorists who may be [unclear] targets are reported to have their own target lists of government officials and other citizens who they intend to assassinate. In the case of Uruguay, the Department is familiar with the OPR–33 list which is said to include FonMinister Blanco and Finance Minister Vegh Villegas, among others.

2. I will await response this message before proceeding. Perhaps some of my colleagues may have views on parallel representations in their countries. Also, in view of concerns here for the source of information and over the flimsiness of basing our action on “rumors”, I hope they can defer action pending further clarification. Since our latest information is that plans for Condor “operations” are shelved pending clarification of Brazil’s attitude, time for consultation on this grave matter seems affordable.

Siracusa

1. Summary: Siracusa discussed potential problems with the démarche regarding Operation Condor.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P860084–1950. Secret; Niact; Immediate; Roger Channel. Repeated Immediate for information to Asuncion, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, La Paz, and Santiago. For State 209192, see Document 241. Operation Condor, an intelligence-sharing apparatus among Southern Cone governments, had evolved into an organization that identified, located, and assassinated suspected guerrilla leaders and regime critics. See Documents 137, 238, 240–242, 245, 249, 253, 359, 367, and 368.