JACOBO TIMERMAN MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR - 1979/06/11

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06626837
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: June 11, 1979

Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 C06626837
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'NUM CLASSIFIGATAIN
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES CONFIDENTIAL
12065
113MIX GDS 6-11-85 (CASTRO, Ra61 H.) OR-M
TAGS: AR, SHUM
s. Jacobo Timerman Meets with Ambassador
Amp* SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL BUENOS AIRES 4701
1. CC - Entire Text)
2. Mrs. Jacobo Timerman, Israel resident up to a few
weeks ago, called on me at Chancery on Friday (June 8)
to review her husband's detention by GOA. Mrs. Timerman
appeared to be in extraordinarily good spirits. She is
a very attractive middle-aged lady.
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3. Gratitude to USG and People: Mrs. Timerman opened
by thanking me profusely for visiting her husband on
April 12. She also conveyed her gratitude to USG and
the American people for the consistent efforts to
liberate her husband. She acknowledged the main thrust
of action comes from the United States. She spoke with
an air of disappointment on the minimal effort expanded
by European countries, including Israel. Mrs. Timerman
stated European countries talk a big storm on human
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rights but it remains as all talk.
4. Jacobo Timerman's Mental Outlook: Mrs. Timerman
stated she has lived with Jacobo Timerman for twenty-nine
years and has never seen him as depressed and discouraged
as now. She described how a few days ago he had cried
like a baby and had to hold him in her arms to comfort
him. She expressed deep concern about Jacobo's mental
status. I told her during my visit to her husband on
April 12, 1979 he appeared strong, confident and full of
steam. She attributed that to play acting as he was
trying to impress me with his "machismo." Hrs. Timerman
shrugged her head and said after all he is Argentine
and in many instances Latin characteristics still predominate
in his personality.
5. Letter to Junta: I inquired about a certain letter
being written by Jacobo to the Junta. Mrs. Timers=
explained a draft had already been sent to GOA officials
but it had been returned. Supposedly contents of draft
sent consisted of request by her husband to be permitted
to go to Israel on humanitarian grounds as well as on
legal grounds. He spelled out fact he was not under PEN,
therefore, not eligible to apply for right of option.
When draft came back GOA officials scratched out phrase
"not under PEN, therefore, not eligible for right of option"
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Land inserted "inasmuch as Ian detained under the PEN __I
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I'm subject to make application for release under right
of option." This has seriously upset Jacobo Timerman
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A second draft is being prepared by Jacobo and his
attorney but Mrs. Timerman professed ignorance of contents
of same. She promised to send me a copy of proposed
new draft. For more details on draft letter see paragraph
five of Buenos Aires 4672.
6. Israeli Ambassador: Mrs. Timerman stated her husband
had worked very close with Israeli Ambassador for past
few years, but now had lost faith in him. I explained
to Mks. Timerman of high regard held for Israeli Ambassador
Nirgad in DipCorps. I also added I found Ambassador
Nirgad to be a real professional and of his devoted and
high interest in her husband's case. I concluded by stating
Ambassador Nirgad and I worked very closely in our efforts
to obtain her husband's freedom. It became apparent she
was pleased to hear my comments on Nirgad. See Buenos
Aires 4672, paragraph five.
7. Timerman the Braggadocio: Mrs. Timerman told me
Rabbi MYer, her husband's spiritual counsellor, had
suggested to her husband to be careful in what he told
his visitors, as room was probably "bugged." Mrs. Timerman
described her husband as not normally a braggart, but
when he felt oppressed a manifestation of exaggeration
lappeared. To sum it up, Mts. Timerman stated her husbaal's
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Cloassfication MRN
main objective was to leave and forget Argentina ever
existed. She said her husband had no desire to write,
speak or lecture about his experiences while incarcerated.
She felt her husband is not mentally capable at this
point to do any of these things. It was made clear to
Mrs. Timerman it was not intention of USG to silence
her husband now nor in the future. This was solely their
decision. Mts. Timerman replied their priority was to
get him out of Argentina and worry about phase two after
her husband's freedom had been obtained.
8. Timerman Son to New York: Pleased as can be,
Mts. Timerman stated her youngest son would be represent-
ing her husband in one of the New York Universities to
receive an award. She also added this same son would
probably remain in New York City as he was engaged to a
young lady from that City. She also stated her son might
obtain employment with the Staff of Senator Kennedy.
9. Mrs. Timerman left as radiant and sparkling as when
she had arrived. She repeated her promise to send me a
copy of second draft and also to coordinate activities
with Israeli Ambassador.
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