CARRERO'S DEATH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100160007-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2006
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: December 20, 1973
• Content Type: IM

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Remarks:
Attached is the memo on the aftermath
of Carrero's death that we promised
over the phone. It vT;;.s prepared by
DATE
20 Dec
SECHFT
ONM NO. 237 Use previous editions
1-67
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OCI-1022-73
20 December 1973
Prime Minister Carrero's death this morning eliminates
one-half of the dual succession that Franco had arranged to
replace him. Carrero was to carry on as the head of govern-
ment and Prince Juan Carlos, appointed king-designate in 1969,
is slated to become chief of state after Franco dies or becomes
incapacitated.
The Constitution prcvides that Carrero will be replaced
temporarily by Vice Premier Fernandez Miranda. The law requires
Franco to appoint a new premier within ten days from three
candidates proposed by the Counsel of the Realm, an advisory
body composed of Spanish dignitaries from various walks of
life.
In practice, Franco Is wishes undoubtedly are incorporated
into the choices the Council of the Realm makes. If they were
not he probably would ignore the legal procedures and simply
appoint his own man. 'Fernandez Miranda will automatically be
considered a likely replacement of Carrero. His conservative
credentials and political philosophy make him a "safe" candidate
and his elevation last June to deputy premier is a solid indica-
tion that he is in Franco's favor.
Fernandez Miranda also is the Secretary General of the
National Movement, an umbrella organization that Franco uses
to contain all legal political expression in Spain. His capacity
for "flexibility" has served him well in this job but it could
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also block his appointment as premier. In effect, Fernandez
Miranda may be too much of a "politician" for Franco to accept
as his replacement at the helm of government.
If today's incident develops into widespread terrorist
activity, Franco might be inclined to turn to the military for
the next premier. Under these circumstances, General Diaz-
Alegria, current chief of staff, would be a likely candidate.
He is a favorite among the military and he is notable for his
pan-European outlook. He also is reputed to favor gradual
movement towards a freer society after Franco's departure, a
factor that might make him too moderate in Franco's judgment.
It is also possible that Franco may be so shaken by the
death of his most trusted colleague that he might consider
resuming the role of premier that he turned over to Carrero
last June. Carrero had already been running the day-to-day
business of the government since 1967, but Franco's decision
to give up some of his power was notable because it marked
the first time he had released any authority since he assumed
control of Spain in 1936. Franco will have difficulty finding
someone else in whom he can place that much confidence.
The first official government communique on Carrero's
death claimed the origin of the explosion was unknown. One
government official was quoted as saying it was an accident
caused by a gas main leak. Late wire service accounts now
report that a government spokesman has attributed the blast
to a bomb.
Carr.ero attended Mass daily and the incident occurred as
his car was taking him from church. His steady routine would
have r'ade the planning for a terrorist act relatively simple.
The timing of the incident--approximately an hour before the
opening of the trial of ten leftist labor leaders--suggests
that Carrero's death was caused by dissident extremists. The
blast occurred about half a mile from the court where the trial
was to take place.
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Whether Carrero's death was accidential or a planned
assassination the regime's immediate reaction will be the
same. A tight security cloak has been thrown over the coun-
try. All police have been called from holiday leave and the
security service has launched a country-wide dragnet to pick
up extremists of all political persuasions.
25X1 ? the trial of the
Cara anc a Ten" opened as scheduled but was quickly suspended.
It is not yet clear whether it will resume tomorrow or if it
has been postponed indefinitely, although recent press releases
indicate it resumed this afternoon.
The ten defendants have been imprisoned since June 1972
when they were arrested while conducting a "summit meeting"
at a monastery in Madrid. Most of the prisoners are promi-
nent members of, or have close association with, the illegal
Spanish Communist Party. All of them--including a Roman
Catholic priest--are associated with the clandestine Communist-
dominated Workers' Commissions which is also banned in Spain.
They have been charged with illicit association with
and leadership of an illegal group. The regime's request for
unusually stiff penalties ranging from 12 to 20 years has
aroused strong anti-government sentiment within Spain and
abroad. The defense claims that what is really at issue is
the internationally-recognized right to free trade unions and
free assembly.
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