LETTER TO JACK WATSON FROM EPIFANIO MENDEZ CRITICAL OF PARAGUAYAN GOVERNMENT - 1977/10/22

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
01219134
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
April 3, 2019
Document Release Date: 
April 12, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 22, 1977
File: 
Body: 
- Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO1219134) _ DEPARTMENT OF STATE Washington, D.C. 20520 7725992 IOW) --SeeIZETF October 22, 1977 NO FOREIGN DISSEMINATION MEMORANDUM FOR DR. ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI THE WHITE HOUSE Subject: Letter to Jack Watson from Epifanio Mendez Critical of Paraguayan Government Epifanio Mendez purports to be providing the U.S. Government with a report on activities of both the Paraguayan Government and recognized political parties in that country which could adversely affect our human rights policy objectives. The report is critical of both the leadership of the governing Colorado party and the opposition Liberal Party factions. It claims that only the Colorado Party in exile can reunite all the political factions in Paraguay. NR Rt1,5ERVV5-- NO FO IGN DISSEMINATION XGDS-1 NOVS CPNTRAL FE Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C01219134 Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C01219134 NO FOREIGN FOREIGN DISSEMINATION -2- We were informed by Amnesty International on October 20 that Mendez has been arrested in Argentina and his current whereabouts are unknown. The Depart- ment of State will make representations both in Argentina and Paraguay on behalf of Mendez on human rights grounds. We recommend that Mr. Watson not reply to the letter. The reply would almost certainly be inter- cepted by Argentine authorities. If the reason for Mendez' arrest was related to political activities which are not tolerated by the Argentine Govern- ment, such a letter from the White House could be utilized as evidence against him. >1. / Peter Tarnoff Executive Secretary Attachment: NO FOREIGN DISSEMINATION Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C01219134