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

55. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance¹

Washington, June 27, 1977

SUBJECT

• Human Rights in Argentina

The President noted that the Argentines have recently announced a series of actions designed to improve their human rights image.² These actions include:

—releasing of 342 persons from custody;

—processing in the courts the cases of nearly 1,000 persons awaiting trial on charges of subversion; and

—hinting at the reinstatement of the individuals’ constitutional right to leave the country.

The President would like you to acknowledge this Argentine commitment to human rights.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron, Box 3, Argentina, 1977–1978. Secret.
2. In telegram 4638 from Buenos Aires, June 22, the Embassy concluded that while these announcements, made on June 14, “themselves show little by way of certifiable substantive change in government human rights practices, the government’s decision to compile examples of human rights improvements demonstrates its rising sensitivity to the seriousness of the U.S. human rights position and our adverse votes in international financial institutions.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770223–1036)