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1555788
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Argentina - President Jorge Rafael Videla
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1555788
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Argentina - President Jorge Rafael Videla
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Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders (Ford Administration)
Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
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Argentina
Human rights
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1976-07-31
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7
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1976
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1976-07-01
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Argentina - President Jorge Rafael
Videla" of the National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with Foreign
Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 1 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign
Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 16, 1976
Dear Mr. President:
I am very grateful to your Government for its cooperation with the
United States in bringing to justice three notorious narcotics traffick-
ing fugitives who found sanctuary in Argentina for many years. The
United States has long sought to prosecute them for their part in
several widespread conspiracies to import large amounts of heroin
and cocaine into the United States.
Your prompt and effective response to our renewed request for
assistance in apprehending these narcotics fugitives is an indication
that you share the high priority which we attach to the international
effort to control illicit traffic in narcotic drugs. The activities of
narcotics traffickers of this type undermine the social peace,
public order, and even the morality of a country, and the effort to
end their international operations requires the close cooperation
of all governments.
We are particularly grateful to your Minister of Interior and the
members of his staff who worked so tirelessly to ensure that
these fugitives be brought to justice in a manner consistent with
the legal requirements of both our countries. Their dedication
and diligence have won the respect of all concerned.
I would also like to thank you for the sentiments expressed in your
letter to me in connection with your National Day and our Bicentennial
celebrations. It is gratifying to know that the values on which our
nation was founded are shared by you and the people of Argentina.
Sincerely,
Herald R. and
His Excellency
FORD
General Jorge Rafael Videla
President of the Argentine Nation
Buenos Aires
GERALD
LIBRARY
N8C1S YTIRUO38 ЗАИОӀТАЙ 13
Detr T's done
lrttrr July 16
assud to-State
for despatch
m GERMAN FORD LIBRARY
C
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 15, 1976
MR PRESIDENT:
Phil Buchen and Jim Cannon
concur in Brent Scowcroft's
recommendation that you sign
the attached letter to President
Videla.
Jim Connor
14/16/76
=
MEMORANDUM
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
3657
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
UNCLASSIFIED
ACTION
July 12, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
B
SUBJECT:
Letter to Argentine President Videla
In late May the Argentine Government cooperated in turning over
to us three of the most highly sought-after drug traffickers then
at large. They were flown back to the U.S. and are now being
charged in our courts. Ambassador Hill and the State Department
have recommended that you express our appreciation to the
Argentine Government by means of a letter to President Videla.
The Argentines are aware of the letter you sent to President Senghor
of Senegal at the time of the most recent previous drug trafficker
apprehension. The State Department also believes that such a
letter will encourage the Argentine Government to take further
similar steps against other traffickers.
Most recently President Videla sent you a handwritten letter
expressing his friendship and admiration for the American people
and congratulating us on the occasion of the Bicentennial. The
text of the letter is attached at Tab B.
Attached at Tab A is a suggested letter from you to President Videla
thanking him for his letter and expressing appreciation for the
cooperation of the Argentine authorities in apprehending the drug
traffickers. Doug Smith of Robert Hartmann's office has cleared
the text of the proposed letter.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you sign the letter at Tab A.
FORD
&
UNCLASSIFIED
GERALD
LIBRARY
IE
STATE
Department of State
STATES UNITED AMERICA NAME
TELEGRAM
OF
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 5502
PAGE 01 BUENOS 04182 251639Z
73
ACTION ARA-10
INFO OCT-01 ISO-00 CPR-01 NSC-05 PA-01 SS=15 USIA-06
PRS-01 CU-02 MMO-01 ARAE-00 1043 W
122587
P 251531Z JUN 76
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6138
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE BUENOS AIRES 4182
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS PFOR, AR, US
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT VIDELA TO PRESIDENT FORD
REF: BUENOS AIRES 4181
1. FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM PRESIDENT JORGE
VIDELA TO PRESIDENT FORD WITH REFERENCE TO us BICENTENNIAL.
SEE REFTEL FOR CIRCUMSTANCES OF DELIVERY.
2, BEGIN TEXT
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I WISH TO THANK YOUR EXCELLENCY, IN MY OWN
NAME AND IN THAT OF THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE, FOR THE GOOD WISHES
YOU SENT ON THE OCCASION OF OUR NATIONAL DAY.
ERRORS IN HANDLING MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY PERSONAL THANKS TO
REACH YOUR EXCELLENCY IN A MORE TIMELY FASHION.
TT IS A SOURCE OF PARTICULAR SATISFACTION TO ME TO POINT TO
THE TIES WHICH UNITE OUR TWO NATIONS AND TO ASSURE YOU THAT
MY GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE TIES THROUGH
COOPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP, THUS CONTRIBUTING TO THE
CHIEVEMENT OF OUR COMMON OBJECTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS--
OBJECTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS WHICH ARE BASED ON SIMILAR CON-
CEPTIONS OF LIBERTY AND THE DIGNITY OF MAN.
THE EXALTATION OF THOSE VALUES AS FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES
HAS CONSTANTLY INSPIRED THE AMERICAN PEOPLES. IN THIS
CONTEXT, THE CELEBRATION OF THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE
BERALD
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
DATE
STATES UNITED Name AMERICA
Department of State TELEGRAM
OF
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
PAGE 02 BUENOS 04182 251639Z
INDEPENDENCE OF YOUR GREAT COUNTRY MARKS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF MAN'S STRUGGLE FOR SELF-
REALIZATION.
IT IS FOR THIS RESON, INTERPRETING THE TRUE SENTIMENT OF
THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE, THAT I ASSURE YOU OF OUR WARMEST
WISH TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS GREAT EVENT IN WHICH SHINES
THE SPIRIT OF PHILADELPHIA--A SPIRIT, BORN IN HOURS OF
HEROISM, WHICH HAS ALWAYS INSPIRED THE GREAT MEN OF YOUR
NATION AND MADE IT THE EXAMPLE IT IS FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD.
PLEASE ACCEPT ON THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION ASSURANCES OF
MY HIGHEST CONSIDERATION AND ESTEEM, JORGE VELICA END TEXT
3, I WISH TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS is A VERY PERSONAL EFFORT
ON PRESIDENT VIDELA'S PART. NOT ONLY IS LETTER HANDWRITTEN,
BUT HIS AIDES ASSURE US PRESIDENT VIDELA COMPOSED IT HIMSELF.
4. ORIGINAL LETTER BEING POUCHED SOONEST.
HILL
DEEALO
A
FORM
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
m4
MEMORANDUM
3657
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
CONFIDENTIAL
ACTION
July 8, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
MARY BROWNELL MEB
SUBJECT:
Letter of Appreciation from President Ford
to President Videla of Argentina
In late May the Argentine Government cooperated in apprehending
and turning over to us three of the most important drug traffickers
then at large. Ambassador Hill is most anxious that we show our
appreciation to the Argentines by a letter from the President to
President Videla of Argentina. State supports the Ambassador's
request (Tab II). It notes that the letter would encourage further
Argentine steps against drug traffickers and explains that the
Argentine drug enforcers are aware of the letter that the President
wrote Senegal President Senghor last year on the same subject.
Most recently, President Videla wrote President Ford a lengthy letter
in his own handwriting expressing his sincere feelings of friendship
and respect for American society and congratulating us on the
Bicentennial. The letter was generated by an administrative error
on the part of the Argentines in responding to President Ford's
National Day message (Tab B).
Argentina is engaged in a bitter struggle with the terrorist movement
to reassert conditions of order in the country. This has led to excesses,
including murders and arbitrary imprisonment. It is likely that much
of this takes place with the government's tacit approval. On instruction
Ambassador Hill has complained at least once about the violations of
human rights. These issues are beginning to come to the attention of
the American press and of the Congress. Senator Kennedy has criticized
the Argentine Government in strong terms.
The effect of the letter which State has suggested is to compliment
Argentine law enforcement authorities. It would be interpreted as a
friendly and supportive gesture towards the GOA and, coming so soon
CONFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
BY
, NARA, DATE 3/3/04
CONFIDENTIAL
2
after Videla's warm letter to the President, would encourage the
Argentines to resort to further Presidential correspondence.
For these reasons I suggest that Ambassador Hill be authorized to
deliver an oral message of appreciation to President Videla rather
than the written message suggested by State. It is likely that
Ambassador Hill will object to this, and we may hear from him on
the subject. I believe, however, he could express the President's
appreciation, for both cooperation on arrest of the traffickers and
the personal letter on the Bicentennial, and that this would please
the Argentines.
However, in the event that you feel we should go ahead with the
Ambassador's and State Department's recommendation, I have
enclosed at Tab I a memorandum to the President with the letter to
President Videla for signature. Doug Smith of Robert Hartmann's
office has cleared the text of the proposed letter.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you approve our authorizing State to instruct Ambassador Hill
to transmit orally to President Videla President Ford's appreciation
and gratitude to the Government of Argentina for their cooperation
in apprehending the three drug traffickers and also his pleasure in
receiving the letter from President Videla on the Bicentennial.
Approve
Disapprove BD
Alternatively, that you initial the memorandum at Tab I to the
President requesting his signature of the letter to President Videla.
CONFIDENTIAL
7/7/76
A copy of this package was given to
Roger Harrison.
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 1H
July 8
Mr. Hornblow:
Mr. Low's office has redone the
attached package as you requested.
They have tried to locate the original
hand-written letter but State has not
yet sent it to them.
Cathy
7612189
3657
1I
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
June 23, 1976
UNCLASSIFIED
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BRENT SCOWCROFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Letter of Appreciation from President
Ford to President of Argentina for
Cooperation in Expulsion of Narcotics
Fugitives
On May 26, the Argentine Government expelled
three major drug traffickers long sought by the
United States for prosecution in conspiracies to
bring large quantities of heroin and cocaine into
the United States. They were turned over to the
custody of DEA officers for trial. Their confine-
ment will put an end to a major operation and will
serve notice that Argentina is no longer a safe
haven for traffickers.
We hope that a letter of appreciation from
President Ford will encourage the Argentine Govern-
ment to take further similar steps against other
traffickers. Last year President Ford sent a
similar letter to the President of Senegal for his
cooperation with regard to one major trafficker.
The Argentines know about this case and would
expect similar recognition for their cooperation.
Therefore, the Department of State recommends
that the President send the attached suggested
letter to President Videla.
C. arth Bar
George S. Springsteen
Executive Secretary
Attachment:
As stated
UNCLASSIFIED
CLASSIFICATION unclassified
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
REFERRAL
Date: 7/16/76
NSC log # 3657
MEMORANDUM FOR:
C. Arthur Borg
Executive Secretary
Department of State
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Presidential green letter
To: General Jorge Rafael Videla
From: President Ford
Date: 7/16/76
Subject: illicit traffic in drugs
ACTION REQUESTED:
Draft reply for:
President's Signature
White House Staff
Other
Direct reply
Furnish info copy
XXXX Dispatch
Translation
Recommendations, / Comments
Appropriate Handling
Other
Information
DUE DATE:
COMMENTS:
Mindy Kuchar
for Jeanne W. Davis
Staff Secretary
CLASSIFICATION:
IK
DOC
RECD
LOG NUMBER
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
6
7603657
23
6
2317
Low INITIAL ACTION o
TO: PRES
FROM: SECSTATE
S/S 7612189
UNCLAS LOG IN/OUT
SCOWCROFT
SECDEF
LOU
NO FORM
NODIS
HYLAND
DCN
X REF
C
EYES ONLY EXDIS
$
CODEWORD
SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
DAVIS
STATE EXSEC
SUBJECT Rt of OTHER for her TS to SENSITIVE he
Videla of we the Epulein
of nacotion INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION Jugitines REC ACTION REQUIRED
ACTION
CONCUR-
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DINATE
ADV CYS S'CROFT/ WGH
FOR
MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
CONGRESSIONAL
REPLY FOR
ECONOMIC
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
APPROPRIATE ACTION
(
EUR/ CANADA/ OCEANS
MEMO
TO
FAR EAST/ PRC
RECOMMENDATIONS
(
INTELLIGENCE
JOINT MEMO
4
LATIN AMERICA
+
REFER TO
FOR:
MID EAST/NO. AFRICA
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
NSC PLANNING
CONCURRENCE
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
DUE DATE:
6-30
SCIENTIFIC
COMMENTS: (INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
SUB-SAH/ AFRICA/ UN
Leonard,m
X
Jorge R. bedela
DATE
FROM
TO
STATUS
SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKEN
DUE
CY TO
6/7/76
Brownell
Scowcrft
X
7-12
R
nem Pres to sgn for to
Videla
3/15
Pres
sendtr to Videla
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
7-16
NSCK
J
Pres sqdlk to Videla
7/16
STATE
-
for DISPATCH
DISPATCH
NOTIFY
NSC/S DISP INSTR
pr nek 7/27/76
MICROFILM a FILE ROMTS
M/F'D
BY
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
CRT ID: 20 1976 NS
BY
SPECIAL INDEXING:
X
OPEN
Mx
WH SA FP
CLOSE
PA
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED
NSC 76-21
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976
599-022