“That Chilean Guy May Have Some Problems”: The Downfall of Salvador Allende, January–September 1973
128. Memorandum From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Ambassador to Chile (Davis)
Summary: This memorandum discussed the political climate in Chile leading up to the March 1973 congressional elections. It predicted a split in the senatorial race that could pose problems for U.S. interests in the future. It then concluded with a proposal to financially support opposition parties in Chile.
Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile 1973–. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A notation in an unknown hand on the top of the first page reads: “Handed Amb. Davis at CAS hq on 1/10/73.” Davis, who was in Washington for consultations, met with Shackley and other CIA officers at CIA Headquarters on January 10. An attached note summarizing the memorandum states that the “above proposal has the concurrence of Ambassador Davis and his Deputy Chief of Mission, Harry Shlaudeman, who commented that the proposal appears to have adequate security safeguards and could be helpful in reaching voters who are normally inaccessible to political parties.”
129. Memorandum From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Ambassador to Chile (Davis)
Summary: This memorandum responded to questions raised by Ambassador Davis concerning the proposal to fund private-sector opposition groups in Chile.
Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile 1973–. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Initialed by Shackley. Attachment A is not attached.
130. Memorandum for the 40 Committee
Summary: This memorandum, titled “Chile: Request for Additional Funds for 4 March 1973 Congressional Elections, proposed additional covert financial support to continue funding political opposition in Chile in hopes of gaining crucial senatorial seats.
Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile 1973–. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. At the top of the first page there is a notation in an unknown hand that reads, “approved orally by Haig minute 2/16/73.” At the bottom there is a notation in another unknown hand that reads, “approved by the 40 Committee on 12 February 1973.” A memorandum for the record by Ratliff dated February 12 states that the 40 Committee telephonically approved the request for additional funds. (Department of State, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, INR/IL Historical Files, Box 1, Chile, 40 Committee Action After September 1970)
131. Memorandum From the Director of Operations Policy, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Gardner) to the Deputy Director for Coordination, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (McAfee)
Summary: This account of a discussion between Department of State and Central Intelligence Agency officials focused on recent discussions between CIA officials and Senator Church and staffers of the Senate Subcommittee on Multinational Corporations. Church and the Senate Subcommittee were investigating ITT activities in Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, INR Files, Lot 94D565, James Gardner Chronological File. Secret.
132. Memorandum From the President’s Military Assistant (Scowcroft) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: This memorandum provided a chronology of White House involvement in covert efforts to influence the Chilean political situation from September 14 to November 8, 1970.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 778, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Coup Cables. Top Secret; Eyes Only. The tabs are attached but not published.
133. Memorandum for the 40 Committee
Summary: This memorandum, titled “Outcome of 4 March 1973 Chilean Congressional Elections,” outlined the U.S. Government’s covert funding of the political parties involved and the results of the election.
Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A memorandum for the record by Ratliff of May 3 states that the 40 Committee noted the memorandum. (Ibid.)
134. Memorandum From the Deputy Chief of the Western Hemisphere Division, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency [name not declassified] to Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Crimmins)
Summary: In this memorandum the CIA passed on intelligence on a Chilean Air Force plot to oust Allende with the support of some but not necessarily key Army and Navy officers.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; No Dissem Abroad. The memorandum was also sent to Cline, Jorden, and Vice Admiral Vincent de Poiz, Director of DIA. In a May 24 covering memorandum to Kissinger, Jorden concluded, “This [possible coup attempt] bears watching carefully, and we will be doing that. But in the meantime, I do not think we should get too excited. Above all, there should be no effort to involve the U.S. in these developments in any way.”
135. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Operations Policy, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Gardner) to the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (McAfee)
Summary: This memorandum detailed a meeting among officials of ARA, CIA, and INR at which they discussed the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the U.S. covert programs in Chile. The advantages revolved around preventing Chile from becoming another Cuba. The disadvantages revolved around the problems that would occur if the U.S. assistance to the opposition in Chile was revealed.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, INR Files, Lot 94D565, James Gardner Chronological Files. Secret.
136. National Intelligence Estimate
Summary: This estimate assessed the current situation in Chile, focusing on Allende’s continuing efforts to consolidate power. It made significant predictions for the political climate in Chile over the next two years and argued that Allende would continue to implement his populist course, and that the Chilean military would not intervene unless a serious crisis ensued.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Secret; Sensitive; Controlled Dissem. The CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, the NSA, and the Treasury Department participated in the preparation of this estimate. The USIB concurred with it with the exception of the representative of the FBI who abstained on the grounds the subject was outside his jurisdiction.
137. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: In this memorandum, Jorden discussed U.S. policy for the upcoming Paris Club meeting to address the issue of Chile’s request for debt relief for 1973 and 1974. Jorden noted that the U.S. position should be to delay the decision on Chile’s request because it had recanted on commitments and was too unstable to be reliable. He then outlined possible options for U.S. policy if other nations did not go along with the position and requested Kissinger’s decision on the options.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Secret. Sent for urgent action. Kissinger initialed his approval of Jorden’s recommendation.
138. Memorandum for the 40 Committee
Summary: This memorandum, titled “Chile: Request for Funds to Support Opposition Political Parties and Private Sector Organizations through June 1974,” presented an overview of the recent political developments in Chile and recommended that additional funds be approved to continue the covert funding of political parties and private sector opposition groups.
Source: Department of State, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, INR/IL Historical Files, Box 1, Chile 1973–1975. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
139. Intelligence Memorandum
Summary: This CIA memorandum explored possible contingency plans for a successful military coup by examining three types of potential coups and considering the consequences for the United States.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01066A: ER Subject Files, Box 12, Folder 3: Executive Registry Subject Files—1975 C–7, Chile. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; Background Use Only. It was transmitted under the cover of an August 2 memorandum from Vernon Walters to Jorden, Rogers, Kubisch, Irwin, and Laird.
140. Contingency Paper Prepared for the Interagency Ad Hoc Working Group on Chile
Summary: This paper, titled “Possible Chilean Military Intervention,” examined the political polarization and economic deterioration of Chile since the election of Allende in November 1970. It outlined contingency plans designed to force Allende to scale down or alter the implementation of his more radical programs and presented possible scenarios for more aggressive Chilean military involvement.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 CHILE. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Karkashian; cleared by Kubisch, Shlaudeman, Williams, Harrison, Gantz, Benedick, and Palastra. It was transmitted under a September 8 covering memorandum from Pickering to Scowcroft.
141. Excerpts From Testimony Before Congress by the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Kubisch) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Shlaudeman)
Summary: Excerpts from Kubisch’s and Shlaudeman’s testimony before several Senate and House subcommittees beginning September 12, 1973, until June 12, 1974.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Lot 80D43, Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs. Secret.
142. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)
Summary: This memorandum transmitted a Department of State paper that summarized the U.S. Government’s efforts to gain compensation for U.S. businesses that lost properties to Chilean expropriation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 CHILE. Secret. The attachment was drafted by the Chile Task Force and cleared by Kubisch. Blackwill signed the covering memorandum for Pickering above Pickering’s typed signature.
143. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)
Summary: This memorandum transmitted a Department of State paper, titled “Economic Assistance Needs of the New Chilean Government and Possible Responses,” that was prepared for the Washington Special Actions Group. It discussed the difficult economic problems Chile faced in light of the socialist programs instituted by the recently overthrown President, Salvador Allende. It then outlined the different types of assistance that could help the new junta stimulate economic growth.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Secret; Exdis.
144. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)
Summary: This memorandum discussed a proposal, made by Senators Javits and McGee, to have President Nixon make a formal statement concerning the recent coup in Chile and deplore the abrupt end to constitutional government in Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 CHILE. Confidential. Drafted by Kubisch.
145. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Colby to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: This memorandum summarized the U.S. covert action program in Chile since 1970.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
146. Chronology Prepared for the Washington Special Actions Group
Summary: This chronology, titled “Washington–Santiago Exchanges Bearing on Role of Chilean Military in Allende Election,” listed the key events in 1970 pertaining to the Chilean military’s response to Allende’s 1970 election.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–94, WSAG Meeting, Chile, 9/14/73. Secret. Marginalia for September 14 is not declassified. A marginal notation next to the bracketed paragraph for September 16 reads, “See cable in SS—it mentions President—so is probably the one on Kerry’s mind.” All brackets except those noting text not declassified are in the original.
147. Chronology Prepared for the Washington Special Actions Group
Summary: This chronology, titled “Chile: Chronology From DDC Files—1970,” summarized the U.S. covert actions undertaken to prevent Allende from coming to power.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–94, WSAG Meeting, Chile, 9/14/73. Secret. Marginalia for the June 18 entry are not declassified. Several handwritten additions have been incorporated in the published text.
148. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)
Summary: This memorandum transmitted background and briefing papers on Chile for Secretary of State-designate Henry Kissinger in the event he was questioned on the overthrow of Allende at his Senate confirmation hearings.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 CHILE. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Kubisch. Seitz signed for Pickering above Pickering’s typed signature. Attachments 3 through 7 are attached but not published.
149. Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: The memorandum responded to allegations made in the September 16 edition of the Washington Post that the United States used economic pressure to destabilize the Allende regime, and maintained that U.S. actions did not cause Allende’s downfall. It included five attached papers with background information.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VIII. Confidential. Sent for urgent information. Penciled under the date is, “Done for HAK confirmation hearings.”
150. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Senator Frank Church
Summary: During this telephone conversation with Kissinger, Church expressed concern for the plight of Chilean citizens and foreigners—including U.S. citizens—caught in Santiago in the immediate aftermath of the military coup. Church suggested that the Organization of American States should intervene to facilitate offering political asylum elsewhere in Latin America. Kissinger agreed to raise the issue during a meeting of the Washington Special Actions Group that afternoon.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 22, Chronological File. No classification marking. Church was chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 16–1 on September 18 to recommend confirmation of Kissinger’s appointment as Secretary of State.
151. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between Frank Mankiewicz and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Summary: Following up on Church’s telephone call that morning, Frank Mankiewicz called Kissinger to discuss in more detail what was happening in Chile—in particular, regarding the emerging human rights crisis—and what the United States might do to improve the situation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 22, Chronological File. No classification marking. All blank underscores are omissions in the original. Mankiewicz had been Latin America Regional Director of the Peace Corps (1964–1966) and, more recently, National Political Director of the McGovern for President Campaign (1972). The Washington Special Actions Group met in the White House Situation Room on September 20, 3:05–3:49 p.m. For the minutes of the meeting see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXI, Chile, 1969–1973, Document 361.
152. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Chile
Summary: After the daily news briefing on September 20, the Department instructed the Embassy to redouble its efforts to contact any U.S. citizens detained by the military junta in Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Confidential; Niact; Immediate. Drafted and approved by Bell in ARA/PAF; cleared by Karkashian in ARA/BC, Shlaudeman (in substance), and King in S/PRS (information).
153. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Chile
Summary: During the daily news briefing on September 20—which took place between Kissinger’s telephone conversations with Church and Mankiewicz—the Department of State spokesman, John F. King, received numerous questions about the situation in Chile; King struggled, in particular, to answer concerns raised regarding the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens detained in Santiago.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated priority to all American Republic diplomatic posts, USUN, and USCINCSO. Drafted and approved by Bell in ARA/PAF; cleared by Karkashian in ARA/BC.
154. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State
Summary: In response to previous instructions from the Department, the Embassy reported on its ongoing efforts to contact U.S. citizens either missing or detained by the military government in Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Confidential; Niact; Immediate.
155. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State
Summary: This telegram discussed a recent Chilean military request for funds to procure weaponry. Given the multiple recent requests by the Chilean military, the telegram predicted that their demands would continue to increase and concluded that it was important that the U.S. Government meet their needs.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 777, Country Files, Latin America, vol. VIII. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Reference telegram 188023 to Santiago, September 21, is Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXI, Chile, 1969–1973, Document 363.
156. Telegram From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy continued its efforts to account for the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens in Chile, including journalist Charles Horman, who it noted was “reported missing” and “assumed to be detained.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Unclassified; Immediate. For the text of telegrams 187383 and 4462, see Documents 152 and 154.
157. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Chile
Summary: The Department instructed the Embassy to file a status report on the welfare and whereabouts of Charles Horman.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, [no film number]. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Drafted by Karkashian in ARA/BC; cleared by Anderson (substance) in SCA/SCS; and approved by Shlaudeman.