213. Telegram 314 From the Embassy in Chile to the Department of State1
314. Subject: GOC and UNHRC Meeting in Geneva.
1. Summary: Sergio Diez, Chilean rep to forthcoming UNHRC meeting, asked Ambassador for US understanding in face of attempts to condemn Chile on human rights issue as basis for recommendation to apply economic sanctions. He said GOC is seriously considering specific measures to improve human rights practices, but doubted he would have anything concrete to offer at Geneva. Speaking personally, Ambassador urged GOC at least signify its firm intention to move in this direction. Diez will seek appointments in Washington when en route, later in month. End summary.
2. Ambassador Sergio Diez called on Ambassador Jan 14 for over one hour’s animated talk, on what he termed informal and personal basis. He will head Chilean delegation to UNHRC meeting in Geneva early February. He said he expects UNHRC to approve and send to EcoSoc meeting later in year a report along same lines as UNHRC Working Group’s critical interim report on human rights in Chile. Diez fears that USSR and allies will use report in EcoSoc as base from which [Page 584] to condemn Chile, and to recommend economic sanctions against it by member states. He believes communist countries and their tools are unalterably committed to destruction of GOC; that they have the votes; and that best that can be done is to diminish somewhat their dominance of situation.
3. Thus, Diez expected Chile to lose on any vote, but said US position was crucial, and WE position also important. USG, he said, is relatively sympathetic to GOC; its criticisms on human rights are therefore taken very seriously by others as based on strong moral grounds. Further, UN proposals, if supported by US, would result in cutting off loans to Chile from IMF and US private banks. This would be tragic, because extreme and unjustified pressures on Chile would inflame Chilean nationalism in foreign affairs and rigidify Chilean human rights practices still further.
4. Diez recognized that Chilean position in Geneva would be complicated by current confrontation with UK in Sheila Cassidy case, and with Costa Rica (which normally to some degree supports Chile) over enforced retention of extremist leader Andres Pascal Allende in Costa Rican Embassy in Santiago.
5. Diez described private meeting he had had with President Pinochet January 12. Said he had spoken with complete frankness, and found Pinochet fully open to argument. Stated Pinochet recognized there had been serious abuses of authority by government agencies. President was studying ways to prevent such abuses without destroying authority of government, since lessening of authority would make it more difficult to maintain essential internal security. Pinochet was specifically considering: (1) Reducing severity of state of siege; (2) providing medical checks for detainees during interrogation period, in order to prevent torture; (3) reorganizing security agencies, particularly transferring Directorate of National Intelligence (DINA) to jurisdiction of Interior Ministry; and (4) establishing “tribunal” composed of distinguished Chileans of unquestionable authority to exercise Ombudsman function in behalf of detainees. Diez noted that such measures could not be put through hurriedly, and he doubted anything would be done in time for Geneva meeting. Diez expected to see Pinochet again January 19.
6. Reportedly at Diez’ suggestion, Pinochet also lunched earlier in week with Papal Nuncio, who gave Pinochet frank exposition of “charges” that had come to his attention. Diez thought that such words from man of good faith and fellow catholic were important.
7. Speaking personally, Ambassador encouraged Diez on matter of GOC taking concrete steps to improve human rights conditions in country. Said that US and WE can be influenced by improvements, and suggested that by moving effectively, GOC might be able to separate them from its all-out ideological opponents. Ambassador also noted that, even if such changes could not be put into effect in time for Geneva meeting, [Page 585] Chilean Rep at least should make solemn commitment on part of GOC to apply them subsequently. Any steps toward normality would be useful in this context. Ambassador was certain Washington authorities would receive with great interest any assurances Diez could give in this regard.
8. Diez expects to travel to Washington about January 22. He would like to see Assistant Secretary Rogers and Leonard Garment, together in Washington if possible, after Chilean Ambassador Trucco’s requested appointment with Secretary Kissinger.
9. Comment: Diez is a rather forlorn figure. He recognizes and is keenly frustrated by Chile’s unenviable position. He has little room for maneuver: he knows most of communist world and many third world leaders are GOC’s implacable enemies. He thinks UNHRC Working Group has been irretrievably alienated by refusal of GOC to receive it last July—he admits this was a monumental blunder—and by insidious influence of UN Secretariat staff. He unquestionably regards US position as critically important, as much for its bearing on Chilean morale as for its influence on other countries. We hope Department can encourage him to continue seeking genuine and meaningful improvements in Chilean human rights practices.
10. Septel reports further on some human rights aspects of talk.
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Summary: Popper urged the Chilean Government to signal its firm intention to improve the human rights situation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760015–0770. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to San José, the Mission in Geneva, USUN, and London. On January 28, Diez, in a meeting with Trucco and Ryan, stated he understood that the U.S. Government could not support Chile in the upcoming UNHRC meeting in Geneva. In addition, Diez and Trucco informed Ryan of the junta’s draft decree to alleviate human rights violations. (Telegram 24117 to Santiago, January 31; ibid., D760038–0137)
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