Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980 Volume XXIV, South America; Latin America Region

85. Telegram From the Embassy in Argentina to the Department of State¹

Buenos Aires, August 10, 1978, 2100Z

6232. Subject: Derian Testimony to House Foreign Affairs Committee

1. Prensa, Clarin and Buenos Aires Herald carried prominently UPI report of testimony by Assistant Secretary Patricia Derian before House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, saying Derian “charged the Argentine Government with ‘systematic tortures’ and ‘summary executions,’ and claimed there are no significant signs that the human rights situation in Argentina is improving.”²

2. “In testimony before a subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, Miss Derian declared that so much evidence of human rights violations in Argentina has accumulated that to argue about it would be a ‘waste of time’.”

3. According to UPI Derian also said the GOA has failed to carry out its commitment to invite the IAHRC to visit Argentina and said Argentina has a very serious human rights problem.

4. Herald headlined “harsh statement on Argentina in the U.S.,” and Prensa “accusation against the Argentine Government.” In an unusual move, Prensa columnist Manfred Schonfeld strongly criticized the reported Derian remarks in what we expect will be the first of a number of editorial attacks against the U.S. Beside the Derian story in La Prensa was a UPI photo of a Philadelphia cop pushing his foot down on the head of one of the move group arrested titled “repression against extremists in the U.S.”

5. We received the wireless file text of the Assistant Secretary’s statement and USINFO 092045Z brief report on some of her testimony.³ However, the latter does not contain the quote that UPI featured. We have asked ICA to provide if available the verbatim testimony on Argentina ASAP.⁴

6. Comment: In the already overheated atmosphere I believe we can expect even sharper GOA and public reactions to the Derian remarks than we had after the ExIm Bank refusal of credits to Allis Chalmers which was perceived here as a public and formal accusation by the USG of Argentina. This is the second bombshell within a short period. I attended a reception this morning sponsored by the Argentine Air Force at Newberry (Aeroparque). I was the only ambassador and also only U.S. Embassy staff person invited. I felt as though I was walking into proverbial lion’s den. Immediate reference was made to Pat Derian’s alleged statements. Great concern was expressed about a total deterioration in USG-GOA relations. The Argentine concern was expressed in a tactful and courteous manner and not in anger, as I had anticipated. I do anticipate that when the whole affair is better digested all hell will break lose.

7. My “gut reaction” is I may be called in again by the FonMin as to the source of assistant secretary’s information on systematic torture and summary executions.⁵ I fear GOA’s assumption is info came from this embassy. GOA may well demand that USG support its public accusation with evidence.

8. Would appreciate department’s comments on line I might take with GOA.⁶

Castro

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Deputy Secretary: Records of Warren Christopher, 1977–1980, Lot 81D113, Box 18, Memos to Secretary 1978, 1 of 2. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Sent for information to USICA.
2. A transcript of Derian’s August 9 testimony is in “Arms Trade in the Western Hemisphere,” Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Inter-American Affairs of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, June 27, 28; June 19, 20; August 2, 9, 1978, p. 169–192. (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978) In an August 11 memorandum to Vance transmitting this cable, Christopher wrote: “You should probably be aware of the attached telegram reporting Patt Derian’s very harsh language with respect to Argentina. Unquestionably the situation is very bad.” Christopher notified Vance that he was “encouraging Pete Vaky to go to Buenos Aires as soon as his schedule will permit.” (National Archives, RG 59, Office of the Deputy Secretary: Records of Warren Christopher, 1977–1980, Lot 81D113, Box 18, Memos to Secretary 1978, 1 of 2) In a September 13 letter to Cohen and Bumpus, Harris wrote: “The human rights organizations here are ecstatic over the EXIM decision and Patt’s statement. They have all streamed into my office to express their pleasure and profound thanks. Unfortunately, I was out when the Embassy reaction cable was being drafted and the positive news did not get folded in.” Harris noted that “this was the first time in my recollection that we have mentioned the words ‘torture’ and ‘summary execution’ in public. This indication of what we really think (and know) touched the usually well hidden guilt complex among a number of the Argentine military. I had several incredible discussions as a result. I am becoming a confessor to both sides. The problem is that for many military leaders knowledge equates with accountability. The Derian statement questioned the military’s belief that the law of forgetfulness will in time absolve them of responsibility. Their domestic and international campaign of plausible denial was shaken by a few accurate words.” (National Archives, RG 59, Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Chron and Official Records of the Assistant Secretary for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Lot 85D366, Box 1, Argentina—August 9 testimony)
3. Not further identified.
4. In telegram 208752 to Buenos Aires, August 17, the Department transmitted a summary of Derian’s testimony before the subcommittee and her answers to questions at the session about Argentina. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780336–0931)
5. No record of Castro being called in by Montes at this time has been found.
6. In telegram 203729 to Buenos Aires, August 11, the Department instructed that any Embassy response to GOA questions about Derian’s testimony should note that the testimony was “routine and made at subcommittee request on the overall issues of arms transfer policies in the region,” that Derian’s “prepared testimony did not in fact mention Argentina at all,” that only two members of Congress were present, and that “in response to specific questions,” Derian “was required to describe the human rights situation in Argentina. The answers were not meant to be provocative in any sense, but simply responsive to Congressional questions. You might reiterate that the written testimony did not mention Argentina.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780329–0426)