Office of the Historian

114. Backchannel Message From the Ambassador to Chile (Korry) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Meyer)1

Washington, September 22, 1970.

1. My two parter—Santiago 3824 and 3828 is based on a series of conversations (too time consuming to report individually) that leads me to believe I now have the situation well-taped.2 Without disclosing sensitive sources, it covers the closest advisors to Frei and it explains I believe why I cannot answer the 40 Committee’s original instruction to determine Frei’s exact reply.

2. I want you all to know of my profound awareness of the double-track on which I have been operating and which I stressed from the beginning: —To do what I can to prevent Allende from assuming office without incurring any risks for the USG and the President and at the same time improve our bargaining position with Allende if he does become president. This latter element is extremely important and it happens to coincide with the priority goal.

3. I would suggest you consider repeating the two-parter to European posts.

  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Chile–ITT–CIA 1963–1977, Lot 81D121, Documents Requested by the Department of Justice, 1970–1977. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.↩
  2. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–16, Documents on Chile, 1969–1973, Document 24 and footnote 1 thereto.↩