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

232. Telegram 152569 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Chile¹

Washington, June 19, 1976, 2005Z.

152569. Subject: Embassy Follow-up On W/W Death of US Citizen Charles Horman. Ref: Santiago 5745.

1. Gonzales’ reference to Horman has revived considerable interest here in this case. It has also prompted inquiries on whether Gonzales might not also have some knowledge regarding the death of AmCit Frank Teruggi and about the disappearance of some Chileans following the September 1973 coup.

2. Gonzales’ mention of Horman is seen as the first real break in US efforts to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these two Americans. Accordingly, we want energetically to take advantage of Gonzales’ revelations to press the GOC for a further, more comprehensive, investigation of the case. As we informed you, Consular Officer James Anderson has confirmed that it was Gonzales he accompanied to the cemetery to exhume Horman’s remains. This tends to support a conclusion that indeed Gonzales may know something about Horman’s disappearance and death. While this may have been the extent of his contact with the Horman case, we must make certain this is the case. Hence, you should seek to obtain as much information as possible from Gonzales on Horman and Teruggi while taking care not to elicit false information which Gonzales might believe would help his case.

3. Likewise, regarding the alleged close involvement of US intelligence agents with the GOC during the aftermath of the coup, it would be helpful if we could obtain further views from Gonzales [1½ lines not declassified]. This will lead to further speculation on the degree of US intelligence participation in the events immediately following the Junta’s takeover. But again, Gonzales could try to take advantage of this line of inquiry to increase the pressure on us to get him out.

4. Overall, the Department believes we have two objectives: 1) To ascertain how much Gonzales knows regarding the deaths of two American citizens, and, of no lesser concern, 2) The humanitarian aspect of securing exit from Chile for the entire family, or Gonzales’ wife and US citizen child. Accordingly, the department would like a vigorous follow-up by the Embassy to ensure a prompt and responsive GOC reply to your note delivered June 14. Since we want to extract as much information as possible from Gonzales, this could be enhanced by our making every effort to secure a safe-conduct for him and his family. We are aware that this latest revelation diminishes his chances in this regard. This suggests discretion on his and our part on how we handle his allegations with the Congress and public.

5. In conjunction with GOC reply to your note, we would like your comments on the above and your assessment on how we can best proceed to achieve our objectives.

Kissinger

1. Summary: In response to allegations by Rafael Gonzalez Verdugo, a former Chilean intelligence officer, that U.S. officials may have been complicit in the death of Charles Horman, the Department instructed the Embassy to examine his credibility and explore the possibility of arranging for Gonzalez and his family to leave Chile.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Personal Papers of Ambassador David H. Popper, 1968–1979: Lot 82D280, Chrons (May–Aug)—1976, Incoming Telegrams. Confidential; Stadis. On June 10, the Washington Post published an article based on an interview with Gonzalez. (Joanne Omang, “Chilean Charges General Ordered American’s Death,” Washington Post, June 10, 1976, p. A21)