Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976

222. Telegram 2171 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, May 19, 1976, 2245Z.

2171. Subject: Relations With UN Human Rights Commission Working Group. Ref: USUN 1976.

1. Summary. The Chairman of the ad hoc working group on Chile, G. Allana (Pakistan), asked for a meeting with Ambassador Bennett to provide USG with a report on the progress of current talks between the five-member working group of the human rights commission and reps of the government of Chile. Allana reported that the talks have so far been unsatisfactory and the Chileans show no signs of granting permission for an on-site inspection by the working group. Allana indicated that unless the Chileans agree by Monday May 24 to allow a visit by the working group, the working group will hold a Tuesday press conference and make clear the Chileans’ lack of cooperation. Allana said working group convinced that GOC is trying to use the working group for publicity purposes. End summary.

2. In a brief meeting on May 19 held at the request of Mr. Ghulam Ali Allana (Pakistan), Chairman of the Human Rights Commission’s ad hoc working group to inquire into the situation of human rights in Chile, Allana briefed Ambassador Bennett on the progress of the talks being held with Chilean government reps, Amb Sergio Diez and Mr. Schweitzer, legal adviser and son of the Chilean Minister of Justice. Allana stated he deemed it important to brief the US on the problems encountered by the working group because the outcome of these meetings could prove embarrassing to the US.

3. Allana pointed out that the meetings are being held at the request of the Chilean government. (The text of the Chilean government’s letter requesting the meeting was given to Ambassador Bennett by Huerta in confidence last week reftel and discussed in reftel pouched addressees.) Allana noted that the working group ordinarily meets in Geneva and has come to New York solely for this meeting. The group is therefore incensed at the lack of cooperation exhibited by the Chileans and feels that the Chilean government has called the meeting simply so that it can claim to have made a sincere effort to negotiate with the group and that the failure of the talks lies with the working group.

4. The main point of disagreement concerns the attitude of the Chilean government towards a visit by the working group. The working group has, according to Allana, stated its willingness to negotiate other suggestions made by the Chileans. Allana claims the Chilean rep at one point stated his government had decided to allow the visit and this would be confirmed by Friday. The statement was later retracted. According to Allana, the Chileans now claim they do not wish to make a decision on a visit by the working group until after the OAS ministerial ending June 25. Allana states that is too late because the group has other commitments and must organize its schedule now. The working group will draft its report in August for presentation to the GA in September and would thus have to visit Chile in June or July. Allana has asked the Chileans for a firm answer by Monday. If the Chileans are not forthcoming, the working group will hold a press conference on Tuesday which would be unfavorable to the Chileans since working group considers GOC has not made a sincere effort to accommodate the group and is attempting to use it solely to gain favorable publicity for themselves. In event GOC does not invite visit by working group, Allana indicated commission’s subsequent report to the GA would be harsh on Chile and predictably lead to renewed attacks on GOC.

Comment: As in previous conversations, Allana appeared to be attempting to put responsibility on US to effect forthcoming attitude on part of Chile.

Scranton

1. Summary: Allana informed Bennett that the junta showed no signs of granting permission for an on-site inspection by the U.N. Human Rights Commission Working Group on Chile, and that the Working Group planned to hold a press conference to highlight the junta’s lack of cooperation.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760194–0543. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Santiago. In telegram 4770 from Santiago, May 20, the Embassy suggested that Bennett urge the Working Group to delay its announcement on Chile’s lack of cooperation or at least to indicate that further discussions with the Chilean Government were still possible. (Telegram 4770 from Santiago, May 20; ibid., D760195–1162) In telegram 124601 to USUN, May 21, the Department instructed Bennett to stress to Diez “our hope that talks with the Ad Hoc Working Group will not end in failure predicted by Allana” and to urge him to consider a formula that would allow for a Working Group visit. (Ibid., D760196–0734) In telegram 5051 from Santiago, May 27, the Embassy reported that while a press release issued by the Working Group after discussions with Chilean representatives indicated that little progress had been made, the Group and the junta had avoided a “hard break.” (Ibid., D760206–0309)