This is a transcript of a conversation between the US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the Argentine Foreign Minister César Augusto Guzzetti. Kissinger refuses to help the Argentine military regime with its counterterrorist activities.
Archivos de acervos estatales
In this telegram, the State Department reports on the situation of refugees in Argentina and claims that 'it is possible but not proved' that regional governments are cooperating to eliminate high-profile political opponents.
In this document, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires suspects that Argentine security forces were involved in the murders of Uruguayan politicians Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez Ruiz.
Nota 728/4/76 de fecha 11 de junio de 1976, procedente del Consulado General en Nueva York, dirigido a la Embajada de Uruguay en Estados Unidos, remitiendo notas del Consulado de Distrito de la República en San Juan de Puerto Rico, en las que se adjuntan recortes de prensa con referencias al secuestro de ciudadanos uruguayos
exiliados en Argentina.
Ubicación: Dpto. Archivo Histórico- Diplomático- Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Estados Unidos / Serie: Consulado Gral. de la ROU en Nueva York / Año 1976 / Caja 7 / Carpeta 4 / 5 fojas.
In this telegram, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires informs the State Department about the abduction of 24 Chilean refugees and one Paraguayan in Argentina. The US Embassy calls into question the Argentine dictatorship's response which originally attributed the abductions to illegal police and military groups.
In this document, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the aftermath of the kidnapping and release of twenty four refugees (mainly Chileans) under UNHCR protection in Buenos Aires in June 1976.
Título: Télex C218/14Z [Se transcribe cable de AFP en que se denuncia los secuestros de Gatti y Montedónico]
Télex C218/14Z de fecha 16 de junio de 1976 (Claro) procedente de Cancillería (DIPLOMACIA) dirigido a la Embajada de Uruguay en Argentina (URUBAIRES) transcribiendo cable de la Agencia AFP, procedente de París en el que se denuncia el secuestro de Gerardo Gatti en Buenos Aires, junto con María del Pilar Montedónico.
Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte II/ 1 foja.
Télex P122 de fecha 17 de junio de 1976, procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Estados Unidos, transcribiendo cable noticioso sobre declaraciones de Wilson Ferreira Aldunate sobre la situación política en Uruguay y la cifra de presos políticos.
Ubicación: Dpto. Archivo Histórico- Diplomático- Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Estados Unidos / Serie: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Año 1976 / Caja 113 / Carpeta 28 / 1 foja.
Declaración de Wilson Ferreira Aldunate ante el Subcomité sobre Organizaciones Internacionales del Comité de Relaciones Internacionales de la Cámara de Representantes del Congreso de los Estados Unidos en la cual denuncia la deriva autoritaria en Uruguay. Denuncia la disolución del Parlamento en 1973 y la creación del Consejo de Estado. Menciona los asesinatos en Buenos Aires de los legisladores Zelmar Michelini y Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. También informa de las arbitrariedades judiciales (confiscaciones antes de sentencia, prisiones prolongadas aun tras cumplir condena). Asimismo sostiene que la guerrilla uruguaya fue desarticulada en 1972 y que, desde entonces, la represión estatal se dirige contra la población en general.
Aporta cifras: 5.000 a 6.000 presos políticos en ese momento y 50.000 a 60.000 personas detenidas o interrogadas desde el inicio de la dictadura; refiere a la tortura extendida y junto con una emigración masiva (al menos 300.000, quizá hasta 500.000 personas). Destaca el endeudamiento externo del país y el gasto desproporcionado en seguridad. Exige a EE. UU. cesar todo apoyo político, técnico y financiero a la dictadura uruguaya y “dejar a los uruguayos” recuperar su democracia.
Ubicación: Dpto. Archivo Histórico- Diplomático- Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Estados Unidos / Serie: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Año 1976 / Caja 113 / Carpeta 28
This document contains a list of refugees including nationals from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Paraguay, Spain, Peru, and Uruguay who are detained or missing in Argentina in June 1976. The document mentions the abduction of 25 (mainly Chilean) refugees in Buenos Aires on 10 June after a list was stolen from the refugee agency in Buenos Aires.
The US Embassy in Montevideo writes to the State Department with intelligence surrounding the suspected political activities of Uruguayans Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez.
The US Ambassador in Montevideo shares further information with the State Department regarding the activities of Uruguayan legislators and opponents of the military regime, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. The Argentine authorities suspect that Michelini is involved with the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) in Argentina.
Nota No.50 - 976(710) de fecha 23 de junio de 1976 procedente de la Sección Consular de la Embajada de Uruguay en la República Argentina, dirigida al Embajador Gustavo Magariños, remitiendo Nota 2- 976-(482) de fecha 22 de junio de 1976, del Consulado en la que se informa la visita del matrimonio Nores Montedónico, denunciando llamadas telefónicas y recibidas referentes a la situación de su hija María del Pilar Nores Montedónico.
Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte II/ 3 fojas.
In this report, the CIA recognises that the security forces of several South American countries may be working together in actions against political refugees in Argentina. This comes after three key recent incidents: 1) armed men ransacked the offices of the Argentine Catholic Commission on Immigration and stole records on thousands of refugees, 2) renowned Uruguayan exiles, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz and former Bolivian President were killed in Argentina, and 3) reports of the death of Chilean national and founder of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR), Edgardo Enríquez.
This CIA document reports on a Condor meeting which took place from 31st May to 2nd June 1976. It is announced that a centralised database will be created.
Título: Meeting of Intelligence Services in Argentina and Arrangements for Future Cooperation among them
The communication recounts a meeting of Operation Condor member countries held from 31st May to 2nd June 1976 in Argentina. The security services agreed upon two forms of cooperation: intelligence sharing and covert operations against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) and other guerrilla groups.
In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Ambassador to Uruguay claims that 'the US has long urged [countries in the Southern Cone] to increase their cooperation for security'. The Ambassador argues that a coordinated, regional approach to security is justified to counter the armed groups who are coordinating their regional activities through the JCR.
CIA on Operation Condor including a separate agreement by Uruguayan intelligence to operate covertly in Paris with Argentine and Chilean counterparts against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta and other leftist subversive groups.
In this telegram sent to the US Embassy in Montevideo, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires shares intelligence from victims' testimonies before the UNHCR indicating that Uruguayan security offices were involved in kidnappings of refugees in Buenos Aires in June 1976 in collaboration with local security forces.
Memorándum de fecha 02 de julio de 1976, relativo a la conducta a seguir en el marco del “caso Venezuela”- las posibles acciones a implementar y el análisis de las repercusiones que cada una de ellas podía implicar para Uruguay desde el punto de vista de las relaciones internacionales. Este documento se refiere al secuestro de la ciudadana uruguaya Elena Quinteros del predio de la Sede de la Embajada de Venezuela en Montevideo, el día 28 de junio de 1976. Este documento fue donado por el Dr. Milton Romani.
Existe una copia con mejor legibilidad del presente documento, aunque presenta una página faltante.
Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico–Diplomático del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay » Investigación Administrativa por el secuestro de Elena Quinteros establecida por R.M. Nº 201/87 de 11 de agosto de 1987 y realizada por la Dra. Luján Flores de Sapriza. – Caja única » Pieza: 1 » Fojas: 74 a 81
Memorándum de fecha 02 de julio de 1976, relativo a la conducta a seguir en el marco del “caso Venezuela”- las posibles acciones a implementar y el análisis de las repercusiones que cada una de ellas podía implicar para Uruguay desde el punto de vista de las relaciones internacionales. Este documento se refiere al secuestro de la ciudadana uruguaya Elena Quinteros del predio de la Sede de la Embajada de Venezuela en Montevideo, el día 28 de junio de 1976.
El documento presenta el faltante de su última página, que sí puede verse en otra copia del documento.
Ubicación: Archivo Administrativo del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay » Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Venezuela » Serie: Compilación de documentos relativos a la “Ruptura de relaciones diplomáticas con Venezuela” » Año: 1976 » Caja: 3
This document contains three messages from the CIA. The first contains intelligence regarding the crossborder travel of agents from Condor member countries to support countersubversive operations in Argentina. The second and third documents examine the activities and reorganisation of the Montoneros guerrilla movement in Argentina.
Cooperation between the intelligence and security forces of Argentina; leftist subversive actions during the period 25th June to 2nd July 1976; the reorganization of the Montoneros.
In this telegram, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the State Department, Harry Shlaudeman writes to the Secretary of the State Department regarding the recent appeal of the UN High Commission for Refugees to the US and 33 other countries requesting the urgent resettlement of one thousand refugees in Argentina, alongside further refugees in the future.
Télex C367/24 de fecha 19 de julio de 1976 (Claro) procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Argentina (URUBAIRES) dirigido a Cancillería (DIPLOMACIA) informando gestiones realizadas ante autoridades policiales y militares sobre casos de ciudadanos uruguayos detenidos. Se detalla la consulta realizada a esa Embajada por parte de Agencias Noticiosas sobre la desaparición de treinta (30) uruguayos.
Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Argentina / Serie: Asuntos de Seguridad – Información sobre Personas/ Año 1976 / Caja 3 Confidenciales / Carpeta H3-2 Parte I/ 1 foja.
The US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the increasing danger to political refugees in Argentina, following the disappearance of 30 Uruguayans the previous week including the daughter of murdered Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini.
“Condor”: A Cooperative Program of the Intelligence Services of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil to Counter Terrorism and Subversion; Basic Mission of “Condor” Teams Sent to France.
This report shares intelligence on plans for a phase three of Operation Condor involving targeted assassinations against high-level opponents of the military regimes located in non-member countries. Europe will, allegedly, be the main country involved in planned operations in France.
In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires argues that recent US reports are wrongly reducing Condor to intelligence sharing. The US Embassy suggests that there is strong evidence that Argentine, Chilean, and Uruguayan agents are travelling across borders to collaborate with local security forces.
Comments by a senior Bolivian official on the “Condor” program. The Bolivian official claimed that special teams were being organised to pursue JCR targets in France and that later similar targets in other countries would be pursued.
The CIA reports that the intelligence services of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay were preparing specially trained teams to mount offensive operations beyond their borders. The FBI emphasises that it will need to take precautions to ensure that it does not become associated with such activity.
Arrest by Argentine authorities of 30 Uruguayan subversives. Among those captured was Margarita Michelini, daughter of the Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini who was assassinated as part of Operation Condor.
In this document, the CIA shares intelligence from an anonymous source regarding the selection of targets for special Condor teams which are due to operate in Europe. According to the source, Condor teams being sent to France will aim to target high-level leaders of guerrilla organisations. Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are identified as suspected to be the main protagonists in such operations outside South America.
This is a CIA memorandum from a meeting which discussed the 'disturbing developments' in Condor's 'operational attitudes' to include attacks against guerrilla leaders.
In this telegram addressed to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires reports that Chilean union leader, Muñoz Salas is seeking resettlement outside Argentina through the UN High Commission for Refugees. Muñoz Salas claims that he and his family were abducted and tortured by Argentine police officers, despite that he was not involved in any political activity in Argentina.
This memorandum from a State Department meeting reports that Condor is adopting an increasingly 'active' role and is turning towards tracking down and carrying out attacks against leaders of guerrilla organisations. The French security services have been alerted that Condor may be planning on carrying out operations against JCR leaders in Paris.
In this memo, the Assistant Secretary of State, Harry Shlaudeman expresses concern regarding regional cooperation in the Southern Cone to eradicate subversion. Shlaudeman claims that the repercussions of which for the Western hemisphere are 'disturbing'.
In this document, the CIA reports on the planned Condor operations to liquidate key political opponents of the military regimes who are exiled in Europe. Special mixed teams have been established and these 'Condoreje' officers will undertake a training course in Buenos Aires prior to their deployment to Europe.
In this report, the CIA provides an overview of the structure of Operation Condor including 'Condortel', which will manage the communications aspects, and 'Condoreje', which will be responsible for the operational activities. The CIA also comments on Operation Condor's planned activities including the selection of targets for the special teams which will operate in Europe.
In this staff note, the CIA mentions that Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay have committed to expanding their joint security operations to include the assassination of high-level opponents in Western Europe.
In this document, the CIA reports that Brazil had refused to partake in Condor operations against key political opponents in Europe. For now, Brazil will limit its contribution to the provision of equipment for the communications network, Condortel.
Nota Verbal D-497/76 de fecha 12 de agosto de 1976 procedente de la Embajada de Uruguay en Chile, dirigida al Departamento de Asuntos Especiales del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile solicitando el permiso de sobrevuelo y aterrizaje para un avión de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya. Se adjunta formulario de solicitud detallando fecha y características del vuelo.
Ubicación: Dpto. de Archivo Histórico – Diplomático – Sección: Embajada de la ROU en Chile / Serie: Notas correlativas / Año 1976 / Caja 64 / Sobre 4 / 2 fojas.
The US Ambassador to Argentina informs the State Department in Washington that embassies in Argentina are expressing concern regarding cases of missing or arbitrarily detained foreign nationals taking place in the country.
This CIA report notes that the Condor member countries have decided to suspend their plans to operate in Europe until Brazil decides whether it wishes to participate. For now, Brazil's participation will be limited to the provision of equipment for the Condortel communications network. Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay committed to operating in Europe (mainly France). A training course has been set up in Buenos Aires for such operations.
Meeting at Department of State to Discuss “Operation CONDOR”
Título: State Department sends instructions to US Embassies in response to Condor's planned assassinations
This memorandum records a State Department meeting to discuss Operation Condor. Concerned by Condor's assassination plans, the State Department will send separate instructions to the US ambassadors in South American countries.
In this telegram, the State Department acknowledges that while it accepts that crossborder intelligence sharing may be 'useful', it firmly opposes alleged plans to assassinate 'subversives' in Condor member countries and abroad. It calls the US Embassies to 'engage with the highest level of government' in Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay to dissuade such attacks.
In this memo from Raymond Warren, CIA Chief of the Latin American Division, to the Deputy Director of the CIA, Warren expresses concern that Condor's assassination plans could have ramifications for the CIA's liaisons with Condor intelligence services as well as Western intelligence services.
The Chief of the CIA's Latin America Division, Raymond Warren, informs the CIA's Deputy Director of the potential political and security ramifications of Operation Condor.
The US State Department instructs the US Embassies in South America on Operation Condor, following US government concerns regarding planned assassinations within and outside of member countries' territories.