144. Telegram 4904 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State1
4904. Subject: Pinochet Criticizes U.S. Senate Amendment Ref: Santiago 4886.
1. Summary. Junta Pres Gen Augusto Pinochet deplored U.S. Senate amendment to Foreign Assistance Act as based on misinformation concerning real situation in Chile. Statements by senior officials outlined govt plans in several key economic areas. Another 19 extremists were executed, numerous persons arrested, and various arms caches and guerrilla camps discovered. Former CUT Pres Luis Figueroa sought asylum in Swedish Embassy, and former Deputy Dir of Investigations Samuel Riquelme was captured. Junta continued to reveal instances of alleged subversive activities and corruption. End summary.
2. In Oct 5 statement released through junta press spokesman, Gen Pinochet “deplored” U.S. Senate amendment to Foreign Assistance Act on aid to Chile, claiming amendment was due to “misinformation” broadcast abroad by Marxists. Pinochet urged U.S. legislators to visit Chile and see situation for themselves. He stressed that system of justice is completely operative in Chile and that human rights are being fully [Page 394] respected. He again denied reports of mass executions and said official death toll now stands at 476 civilians and 37 military/police. As part of campaign to “correct” junta’s overseas image, publishers assn. has printed 20,000 copies for distribution abroad of a pamphlet entitled “Three Years of Destruction.” Chilean Bar Assn. sent letter which strongly defended the military coup to similar groups in other countries. Top guild leaders plan overseas travel to defend junta and have announced they will also refute arguments presented by Sen[ator] Kennedy. Several guilds have already sent telegrams to Kennedy protesting his statements, and Chileans are privately buttonholding emboffs they know to make known their surprise and disappointment. Cuproch Pres Julio Bazan will attend AFL–CIO convention [in] Miami [on] Oct 18 to answer Sen Kennedy.
3. Junta issued barrage of statements concerning future govt policies. MinFinance Adm Gotuzzo made statement Oct 8 on wage and price policy and public sector deficits (septel). Over weekend, Central Bank Pres Gen Cano held press conference on results of IMF Nairobi meeting which he used to outline junta’s emergency economic plans. FonMin Adm Huerta announced Chile’s intention to increase participation in Andean Pact. Other senior officials held press conferences devoted to agricultural production plans and housing policies. On Oct 7, during visit to several slums in La Reina area of Santiago, MinInterior Gen Bonilla laid heavy emphasis on self-help home construction. Ministry of education announced school year will now end Dec 22 and that all student associations in each school have been recessed. Oct 12 holiday was cancelled.
4. Junta announced 19 extremists (11 in Valdivia, 4 in Temuco, 3 in Talca, and 1 in Arica) had been executed for various terrorist acts. Ten others were also killed in scattered locations, purportedly trying to flee from arrest or to escape from custody. Weekend searches and seizures, both in Santiago and in provincial cities, resulted in arrest of some 150 persons and capture of weapons and explosives. Most spectacular was discovery of arsenal including twelve 65 mm mortars in Santiago house owned by husband of Allende’s Private Secretary Miriam Contreras (La Payita), who is still a fugitive with a reward offered for her arrest. A reported 30 tons of “Marxist propaganda” was discovered in Agricultural Training and Research Institute (ICIRA). Two additional guerrilla schools were discovered, one in Vicuna (Coquimbo Province), and the other near resort of La Leonera south of Santiago. Some provincial courts martial are continuing to hand out sentences to UP activitists, most typically five or six years “internal exile” at isolated northern localities of Pisagua, Tocopilla, and Tal Tal. Navy called all available retired personnel to active duty. Govt reminded citizens that death penalty is now in effect for car theft or [Page 395] for possession of stolen vehicles; police announced that many vehicles have now been recovered.
5. Swedish Embassy announced CUT Pres and former MinLabor Luis Figueroa (communist) had taken asylum there. Former Deputy Dir Investigations Dept Samuel Riquelme was captured trying to enter Argentine Embassy. Both were on “most wanted” list. Govt spokesman ruled out possibility of granting safe conduct passes to Carlos Altamirano, Oscar Garreton, and Miguel Enriguez if they should seek asylum since all three have been indicted in navy subversion plot. Newsmen were allowed to visit Communist Party Sec Gen Luis Corvalan in Santiago and detainees on Quiriquina Island near Concepcion; they reported no signs of mistreatment in either case. Corvalan allegedly denied knowledge of “Plan Zeta” to kill top military and opposition leaders (reftel). Nine radio stations were authorized to broadcast their own news reports, in addition to mandatory three daily official bulletins from govt press office.
6. Junta continued to reveal examples of purported UP corruption and subversion. Latest examples are OIR request to Radio Prague for assistance in setting up radio beamed at Chilean Campesinos, Marxist plans to extend control over economy through Central Bank, an alleged UP protection racket at the Santiago racetrack, case of convicted criminal who was given high post in tax office because he was MAPU member, and $700,000 dollars worth of books printed for Cuba at Quimantu govt publishing house.
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Summary: Pinochet denied reports of mass executions and sharply criticized legislation in the U.S. Senate that would cut off U.S. assistance to Chile.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to USCINCSO and DOD/DIA. On October 4, the Senate approved an amendment to a foreign assistance bill sponsored by Kennedy denying all but humanitarian assistance to Chile. (Telegram 197523 to Santiago, October 4; ibid.) On October 5, the Embassy informed the Department of Santiago press reports that Huerta would present concrete evidence to the UNGA that the Allende Government planned to assassinate military and civilian opposition leaders before it was deposed (“Plan Zeta”), which the junta had used to justify its coup. (Telegram 4886 from Santiago; ibid.) In an October 12 conversation with Davis, Pinochet stated that the junta was attempting to minimize loss of life, but that it would prove difficult, as “left extremists” continued to attack government officers. (Telegram 4992 from Santiago, October 12. See Document 146.)
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