Office of the Historian

202. Memorandum For the Record1

Washington, October 3, 1975.

SUBJECT

  • ARA/CIA Weekly Meeting, 3 October 1975

PARTICIPANTS

  • ARA

    • Assistant Secretary William D. Rogers
    • Ambassador Hewson Ryan
    • Mr. William Luers
    • Dr. Albert Fishlow

  • CIA

    • [names not declassified]

  • INR/DDC

    • Francis De Tarr

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Chile.]

Chile:

Ambassador Ryan said that Chilean Ambassador Trucco had expressed concern that Colonel Manuel Contreras, the Director of Chile’s Directorate of National Intelligence (DINA), has a separate channel to Washington (Contreras’ conversations with CIA officials are reported in notes covering meetings of August 25 and July 11).

Assistant Secretary Rogers said that this is a very important time in our relations with Chile. Our position toward Chile is going to be expressed both publicly and privately. It has been decided that no military assistance is to be given to Chile this year, neither grants nor loans. It may be possible to provide a discreet package of cash sales, [Page 549] but even this would be difficult given congressional feelings. In addition, Chile wants the OAS General Assembly to be held in Santiago next April. We will condition our attitude to their desire on the support that the Chileans receive in Latin America, and also on the issue of human rights. The basic outlines of our current Chilean policy will be made clear in the near future to the Chilean Foreign Minister, and will arouse considerable interest in Santiago. We must all be aware of the broader context of our current relations with Chile. It is important that there be no misunderstandings, and that the US speak with one voice.

Ambassador Ryan repeated that Ambassador Trucco had mentioned Contreras as having a separate channel between Chile and the USG and has said that he, Trucco, had not even known that Contreras was coming to Washington. It is clear, Ambassador Ryan added, that Trucco and Contreras do not get along.

Mr. Sampson said that it was possible that the military Attaché, General Morel, had known that Contreras was coming. Morel knows and sees General Walters. Ambassador Ryan remarked that Morel is being replaced. Mr. Sampson said that the CIA is not interested in military questions concerning Chile. He had met Morel in General Walters’ office; Morel was concerned with the Peruvian military buildup.

Assistant Secretary Rogers said that, in any case, the Chileans will be writhing and flailing about not getting military credits. It was thus necessary to sensitize the CIA to the situation.

Ambassador Ryan also said that the Department should be informed of any movements planned by Contreras.

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Chile.]

  1. Summary: In an October 3 meeting, Department of State and CIA officials discussed Trucco’s concern over Contreras’ reported separate channel to Washington. Rogers stated that the U.S. Government should speak with one voice regarding Chile policy.

    Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, ARA Weekly Meetings, 1976–1977. Secret. Drafted by De Tarr on October 7. Memoranda for the record on the July 11 and August 25 ARA/CIA meetings are ibid.

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