174. Action Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Bowdler) to Secretary of State Kissinger1
Chilean Requests for Arms Assistance
The recent visit to Chile of Major General George Mabry, CONUSARSO, has given rise to renewed, urgent requests from the Chilean military that we respond to their arms purchase needs, principally the provision of 100 M–48 tanks and a limited number of TOW anti-tank weapons. The Chilean military are convinced that Peru’s current arms superiority (air power and armored vehicles) and revanchist spirit will trigger, at some time, a Peruvian attempt to recapture territory lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–83).
We have been actively seeking to provide Chile on an urgent basis a minimal deterrent capability. DOD shares our concern and interest and is currently ascertaining the availability and possible timing of deliveries on key items requested by the Chileans. Because of the Congressional mood and media climate on Chile following Congressman Harrington’s exposé, we propose to hold off implementation and formal notification to the Chileans of DOD’s decision on what items can be made available on an urgent basis until after Congress recesses in mid-October. On the TOW, we would wait until Congress reconvenes in November and consult with key leaders before implementing a decision to expedite delivery of the TOW to Chile. We are confident that there will be little significant Congressional opposition to providing [Page 468] the TOW, unless the issue becomes entangled with the uproar over CIA activities in Chile.
Attached at Tab B is Ambassador Popper’s most recent cable on this subject urging early and favorable action.
Recommendation:
That you approve the cable attached at Tab A, authorizing Ambassador Popper to assure the Chilean Government that we will continue to honor our commitments to it and that we are in the process of completing action on various pending Chilean arms requests.
Attachments:
Tab A—Proposed cable
Tab B—Santiago’s 5805
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Summary: Given congressional opposition to U.S. arms sales to Chile, Bowdler suggested to Kissinger that a sale of weaponry be held in abeyance while assuring the Chileans that the U.S. Government was in the process of completing action on the purchase.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, ARA Files, Subject and Country Files: Lot 81D324, DEF 12–5 CHILE Military Sales, 1974–75. Secret. Drafted by Karkashian on September 25; cleared by Jenkins, Vest, and Gantz. Sent through Maw. Kissinger wrote on the memorandum, “Chilean foreign minister inquired about TOWs—where does it stand? HK” Attached at Tab A is a draft cable, not published, instructing the Embassy to assure the Chilean Government that the U.S. Government was doing everything possible to meet the needs of the Chilean armed forces; the cable added that Chilean officials should understand the importance of the human rights issue. The final draft was sent as telegram 220331 to Santiago, October 7. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, D740283–0919) Attached at Tab B is telegram 5805 from Santiago, September 24, not published, which noted Chilean dismay at delays in receiving arms. In an October 8 memorandum, Rogers reminded Kissinger that he had approved ARA’s September 26 recommendation on October 7, and suggested that because the weaponry in question was defensive, its sale to Chile would not arouse significant Congressional criticism. (Ibid., ARA Files, Subject and Country Files: Lot 75D476, Chile 1974)
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