82. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Argentina]
Argentina. We have had our first indication that Under Secretary Newsom’s trip to Argentina may be sparking needed action on human rights. Subsequent to Newsom’s return, Ambassador Castro informed Videla that military training would be resumed when Argentina announced publicly that the Inter-American Human Rights Commission was being invited. Videla was obviously pleased, and responded that in addition to the announcement, positive strides would be made in prisoner releases before September 30, and that by year end an impressive number of people would be released.2 Such action could [Page 277] enable us to resume some shipments to Argentina and hopefully ultimately create conditions which could allow us to recommend repeal of the Kennedy/Humphrey new arms embargo.3 Videla seems genuinely to want improved relations with the US, and the question is whether his political situation will give him room to take the necessary steps.
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Argentina]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 20, Evening Reports (State), 5/78. Secret. Carter wrote, “Cy J” in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩
- In telegram 4086 from Buenos Aires, May 29, Castro reported on his meeting with Videla. Videla stated “that GOA didn’t have any positive answers on the disappearances that can be documented publically. Videla was most emphatic in stating that very positive strides would be made in the area of prisoner releases. He asserted he could not now give me figures. He was sure that by September 30 many prisoners would be released. Speaking confidently, he said that certainly by the end of the year the list of persons released from prison would be most impressive.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850101–2476)↩
- Carter wrote “good” in the left-hand margin next to this sentence.↩