Office of the Historian

368. Telegram 306332 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Uruguay1

Washington, December 18, 1976, 0009Z.

306332. Subject: Condor. Ref: (A) Montevideo 4652, (B) Montevideo 4755.

1. I plan to inform Ambassador Perez Caldas on December 20 that Fons and Gavazzo would not repeat not be welcome in Washington because their coming could lead to unfavorable publicity damaging to the relations between the two countries. It should be sufficient for the purpose to note the intense congressional and media interest in the purported presence here of intelligence operatives from countries under attack on the human rights front. You will wish to follow the same line and to assure that visas are not issued to Fons and Gavazzo.

2. I have now learned that [less than 1 line not declassified] discussed the Fons threat with Congressman Koch. [less than 1 line not declassified] believes he is satisfied that a démarche to the Uruguayan Government would only compromise a valuable source. I plan to discuss the matter with Koch when he returns to Washington next month.

3. I share the doubts and perplexity you express in Ref (B) with respect to the situation we find ourselves in. But in the absence of a démarche to the GOU—which I understand you oppose—what would you suggest? We will address the questions you raise about the [less than 1 line not declassified] and the reassessment of Condor in a separate message.

Kissinger

  1. Summary: Shlaudeman wrote that he would tell Perez Caldas that the appointments of Fons and Gavazzo to positions in Washington were not satisfactory due to the potential for “unfavorable publicity” if their appointments became public.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Defense Attaché Files 1960–81, Lot 94D501, Uruguay. Secret; Priority; Roger Channel. Drafted by Shlaudeman and approved in INR. In telegram 307586 to Montevideo, December 20, Shlaudeman described his meeting with Perez Caldas and noted that the ambassador appeared to be “sympathetic to the request.” (Department of State, INR–IL Files, Vol. 17: Roger Channel, Montevideo 1962–79) In telegram 4888 from Montevideo, December 21, Siracusa agreed to use the same line of reasoning if the GOU approached him on the matter. (Ibid.) In telegram 4936 from Montevideo, December 23, Siracusa reported to Shlaudeman on his meeting with Defense Minister Ravenna, who “said he would inform the president promptly of what had been told to him.” (Ibid.) Telegrams 4652 and 4755 from the Embassy in Uruguay are published as Documents 365 and 367, respectively.

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