Office of the Historian

178. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford1

Washington, November 16, 1976.

SUBJECT

  • Continued Political Action Support in Portugal

Recent developments indicate that the struggle between democratic and communist forces in the labor unions of Portugal will intensify over the next few months. In order to bolster the labor programs undertaken by two democratic parties with our covert assistance, CIA [Page 582] proposes additional covert aid amounting to [dollar amount not declassified] (Tab A).

The covert assistance you previously authorized has made a significant contribution to the pro-Western forces in Portugal. Your most recent approval has been used to [less than 1 line not declassified] train and field labor organizers, establish labor centers, establish labor publications and strengthen their labor organizational efforts. The communist-dominated labor organization has scheduled a national labor congress in January which will become a contest for influence between the Communist Party of Portugal and the democratic forces. It is important that the latter continue to strengthen their positions in order to hold to and improve the gains scored in recent national elections.

As a result of your earlier Presidential Finding that this activity was important to the national security of the U.S., the appropriate committees of the Congress have been briefed. If you approve, this proposal will be a continuation of that effort, and the Congress will be briefed on this supplemental funding. [less than 1 line not declassified]

CIA’s Tab A proposal was considered by the Operations Advisory Group in a formal meeting on 8 November and your approval was recommended without dissent.

Recommendation:

That you approve the Tab A proposal to make an additional [dollar amount not declassified] available from [less than 1 line not declassified] for covert support to labor operations in Portugal.

  1. Summary: Scowcroft sought Ford’s approval of the continuation of the covert action program in Portugal.

    Source: National Security Council Files, Ford Intelligence Files, Portugal—GRF. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a November 5 CIA memorandum for the OAG on “Portuguese Political Action Program—Request for FY 1977 Funds.” Ford initialed his approval of Scowcroft’s recommendation on November 16.

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