Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980 Volume XXIV, South America; Latin America Region

152. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Bolivia¹

Washington, November 1, 1979, 1617Z

285735. Subject: Guidance on Coup Attempt.²

1. C–Entire text

2. Confirming Eaton-Boeker Telcon, the press guidance we are preparing at this point is similar to that which you proposed, without last sentence.³ (Text will be sent septel at noon today.)⁴ In fact, we are suspending military and economic assistance although we will not say so publicly at this time.

3. Privately, you should convey the following message to Paz, Fellman or Bedregal, and if possible through an intermediary to Natusch: The US is following events with great concern and would deplore any disruption in the democratic process. We are suspending all military and economic assistance immediately and such assistance will not be resumed until we have had an opportunity to review events as they develop.⁵

Christopher

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790501-0022. Confidential; Flash; Exdis. Drafted by Taylor; cleared in ARA/AND and S/S-O; approved by Eaton.
2. On November 1, Natusch led a coup that overthrew Guevara. In telegram 9358 from La Paz, the Embassy reported on Natusch’s character and efforts to consolidate power. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790501-0459)
3. A record of the Eaton-Boeker telcon was not found. In telegram 9359 from La Paz, November 1, the Embassy recommended that, among other points, the United States “maintain a public line deploring the interruption of the constitutional process in Bolivia and rejecting Natusch’s and the MNR defectors’ efforts to decorate their coup with legitimacy.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790501-0490)
4. In telegram 285960 to La Paz, November 1, the Department transmitted the statement given by the Department spokesman at the noon briefing. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790501-0721) In telegram 9367 from La Paz, November 2, the Embassy recommended that the Department make another statement on the coup as “in Alberto Natusch and Guillermo Bedregal we are dealing with very thick skulls and only a hammer will get through.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790503-0980) In telegram 287386 to La Paz, November 3, the Department transmitted a transcript of the November 2 press briefing. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790504-0939)
5. In telegram 9346 from La Paz, November 1, the Embassy reported that the Ambassador “informed Paz and conveyed to Natusch that US financial assistance is suspended effective immediately.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790501-0178) In telegram 289360 to La Paz, November 6, the Department instructed the Embassy that contacts with the Natusch regime “should be minimal and low-level, and confined to urgent and essential matters.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790509-0865)