196. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter 1
[Omitted here are portions of the document unrelated to Chile]
2. CHILE—We have pursued this week with the Chileans the serious state of human rights in their country. Warren Christopher received the Ambassador and singled out Chile’s state of siege, lack of due process, and repressive intelligence agencies.2 He emphasized our readiness to continue a constructive dialogue with the Chilean Government and work toward improvement of their human rights situation.
[Page 598]Warren also met Allende’s Foreign Minister Almeyda on Friday.3 Almeyda denied any improvement of human rights in Chile, nor could he envisage such without a basic change in the political system. Warren reminded him that, while we would not intervene in Chile’s domestic affairs, we would not be deterred in our pursuit of improved human rights.
Fritz’s meeting with Frei 4 and Warren’s meetings have attracted heavy press play here. The meetings demonstrate our willingness to communicate with all segments of Chile’s body politic. Despite their unhappiness with the pressure we are bringing to bear, the Chilean Government has nevertheless authorized us to explore the prisoner exchange with the Soviets.5
[Omitted here are portions of the document unrelated to Chile]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 18, Evening Reports (State), 5/77. Secret.↩
- See Document 195.↩
- In telegram 124513 to Santiago, May 28, the Department summarized Christopher’s conversation with Almeyda regarding human rights and politics in Chile. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770192-0016)↩
- See Document 194.↩
- Carter initialed this paragraph.↩