ARMY SCHEMING TO SEIZE POWER IN ARGENTINA - 1982/12/01

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05776412
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: December 1, 1982

Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C05776412 F.
0 4 4cr-ri
Army Scheming
To Seize Power
In Argentina
Argentine President Reynaldo
Bignone will be overthrown before
the month is out.
This, at least, is the prediction
contained in a secret Argentine army
document, which reveals that the
man who is the real power behind
Bignone, Army Commander-in-Chief
Cristino Nicolaides, intends to seize
the presidency as well as the pow-
er�and soon.
The document, stamped "Se-
creto," was translated and confirmed
as authentic by my associates Jon
Let Anderson and Dale Van Atta-.
Dated Aug. 19, it is from Brig. Gen.
Rodolfo Enrique Luis Wehner to the
army's top intelligence officer, Brig.
Gen, Alfredo Sotera, laying out in-
structions from their "jefe maximo,"
Gen. Nicolaides.
"The ascension of His Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief to the
presidency of the nation ... should
be achieved toward the end of this
year," the orders state unequivocally.
.Ever since Bignone took over the
military regime from disgraced Gen.
Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri in the
� aftermath of the disastrous Falkland
THE WASHINGTON POST
1 December 1982
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Islands adventure, there have been
repeated rumors that Nicolaides was
not satisfied with his behind-the-
scenes role. Nicolaides routinely dis-
missed these rumors as 'malicious
gossip."
in the secret directive, Wehner
reminds Solara of -'the meeting we
both had with His Excellency," and
alludes to the commander-in-chiefs
concern about disloyalty �within the
army high command, some of whom
evidently have political ambitions of
their own.
It is vital, the intelligence chief is
told, that they "impede the rise of
internal dissident tenciencia which
(would) make it impossible for [M.
collides) to exercise the necessary
control" over the army.
A disinformation campaign is
called for. Sotera is ordered to -make
h known that it is not in the inter-
ests of His ExCellency the Com-
mander-in-Chief to occupy the pres-
idency of the nation, that this would
only occur in cam the current gov-
ernment headed by President
Reynaldo Bignone doesn't work out'
At the same time, though, .:there
shoulci be created ... the sense Of a
lack of stability, a power vacuum,
and increased concern over the de-
velopment of the social and econom-
ic crisis,' the document states.
Using the phrase "political deci-
sion" for the planned takeover, the
secret instructions tell the intelli-
� gence.chief to contact *pertinent ci-
yuan is, noliticieng.
chosen by Nicolaides�to make ce;:-.
tam n "that they.go along with the-'$-
ltical decision,' which will ensure a
normal transferor:power." � I,
The orders continue "At the mune'
time, develop ...arid increase the .con:
tacts .with :the'Nevy and kr Force
High Commands. Let it then be Per.-,
fectly understood .that the :thi3O4rif
of INicolai8eslIs that "the process'i.
(his presicien69 shouldn't go for:
longer than-the first months of 154
If a prolongation should occur
would only happen after prev;
agreement with 'the most represent--
aPve r.
In other words, the anticipated
suspicions .among the other artneci7-.:
forces that 'Nicolaides plans to
control indefinite}y should be
by an assurance that -he will give
the presidency in about a year unlegs!
civilian leaders agree that be shoUld
stay on.
� :
It is possible, of course, that ,N)7.-
colaides may decide to give up hie
Oar* for -a 'Coup�or at least' his
timetable for, one�now that J'Ye
blown his cover.
. .
As the Comniander-in-Chief. Or-."
dered," the secret orders state,
taking of the 'political
pends, for the most part, upon the.:.
level of confidentiality maintained.;
For this reason, it is important to.;
take all the precautions necessary to
ensure the success of the operation."...:.
Sorry about that,ieneraL y;
CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR
RELEASE OF THIS DOCUMENT DATE: 09-14-2018
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C05776412