PEACE CORPS SPYING IN CHILE?

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01315R000400220030-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: September 6, 1969
• Content Type: NSPR

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Luis Figueroa, Communist party deputy in the Chilean .Congress of Deputies,
> accused the U.S. Peace Corps of spying in a speech Aug: 6 during a session of the
Chilean legislature. Figueroa as. ed the Chamber for an immediate investigation and
demanded the expulsion of all Peace Corps members from Chile.
.The charges were documented by two letters: one from the head of the Peace
Corps, William Moffat, to all Latin American representatives; the other from Richard
Mishler, head of the Peace Corps in Chile, to Dr. Jorge Vargas, a Chilean doctor from
Qohcepcion..
The Moffat letter dated Aug. 12, 1966, authorized cash payments for data on
business activity, geological research, students, leftist groups and parties and the names
of pro- and anti-U. S. personalities..
The Mishler letter, dated July 20, 1967; thanks Vargas for information furnished on
student disorders at the University of Concepcion, on public officials in the area and
on construction activity nearby. The letter also ,tells Vargas that his payment is
forthcoming. Both Vargas and Peace Corps officials called the letters fakes.
However, on Aug. 7, the Chamber of Deputies unanimously decided to pursue the
investigation requested by Figueroa and h4s entrusted it to its Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
At the time the letters wore written, the Peace Corps had 4b0 volunteers in Chile
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