ARA GUIDANCE/BRIEFING OF MARCH 7 1984

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01370R000801120124-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 2, 2008
• Sequence Number: 124
• Publication Date: March 8, 1984
• Content Type: CABLE

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UNCLAS STATE 067977
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: SOPN,
SUBJECT: ARA GUIDANCE/BRIEFING OF MARCH 7. 1984
1. PREPARED PRESS GUIDANCES FOR NOON PRESS BRIEFING:
-- EL SALVADOR: REACTION TO NYTIMES ANONYMOUS SOURCE
STORY --
Q: HAS THE STATE DEPARTMENT TAKEN ANY STEPS TO CONFIRM OR
INQUIRE INTO THE SUBSTANCE OF THE ANONYMOUS SALVADORAN
SOURCE ALLEGATIONS CARRIED OVER THE WEEKEND IN THE NEW
YORK TIMES? HAS THE DEPARTMENT BEEN IN TOUCH WITH EITHER
SENATOR TSON01-S (D-*SS.) OR ?_ mN
(D $$.)-WHO REPORTEDLY TALKED TO THE SOURCE?
A: WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SENATOR TSONGAS ABOUT THE
SUBJECT AND ARE LOOKING INTO WHETHER ANY NEW EVIDENCE IS
ACTUALLY AVAILABLE.
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ON ANY CONVERSATIONS WHICH DEVELOP?
A: WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT DEVELOPS. A NUMBER OF
THE CHARGES ARE NOT NEW, ONLY THE SOURCE, WHO APPEARS TO
DESIRE COMPLETE ANONYMITY. THIS CONSIDERATION ALONE WOULD
APPEAR TO LIMIT THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE SUBJECT COULD BE
APPROPRIATE FOR BACKGROUNDING.
IF ASKED (NOTE TO THE BRIEFER: AT THIS POINT WE'RE NOT
PREPARED TO GET INTO ISSUES WHICH MIGHT PREJUDICE THE
CHURCHWOMEN'S CASE, AND ARE IN NO POSITION TO COMMENT ON
ANY NEW EVIDENCE WHICH MIGHT BE AVAILABLE FROM THE
ANONYMOUS SOURCE. THE FOLLOWING OS AND AS SHOULD ALL
CONTAIN THAT CAVEAT)
0: AT WHAT POINT NOW IS THE DEPARTMENT PREPARED TO ADDRESS
ANY OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE ARTICLE, SUCH AS THE DEGREE
TO WHICH RIGHT-WING TERRORISM IS FINANCED BY MIAMI EXILES?
A: THIS IS AN OLD ALLEGATION, UHICH WE'VE ADDRESSED OFTEN
BEFORE. AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN
INVESTIGATING THESE KINDS OF CHARGES FOR SOMEMONTHS. WE
WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT TO THEM ANY NEW INFORMATION
RELATED TO THE CHARGES WHICH DEVELOP.
Q: WHAT ABOUT THE CHARGE THAT THEN DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD VIDES CASANOVA AND CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC
PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DUARTE COVERED UP THE
INVESTIGATION OF THE CHURCHWOMEN'S CASE?
A: WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE SUBSTANCE OF JUDGE TYLER'S
REPORT ON THE CHURCHWOMEN'S CASE, WE WOULD SIMPLY NOTE
THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A
FINDING THAT THE CHURCHWOMEN WERE NOT MURDERED AS A RESULT
OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS FROM SENIOR OFFICIALS, SUCH AS
THE MILITARY HIGH COMMAND. BEYOND THAT, WE CANNOT AT THIS
TIME DISCUSS ISSUES WHICH MIGHT PREJUDICE THE TRIAL.
THE ALLEGATION THAT JOSE NAPOLEON DUARTEWAS INVOLVED IN A
COVER-UP IS NEW, AND WE'RE NOT PREPARED TO GET INTO
SUBSTANCE AT THIS TIME WHICH MIGHT PREJUDICE THE CASE.
BUT, BY ANY STANDARD, IT APPEARS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
PUBLIC RECORD OF HIS CONDUCT RELATEDTO THE CASE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE DISLIKE OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC
PARTY BY THE SOURCE IN THE ARTICLE WAS UNDISGUISED.
Q: WHAT ABOUT THE CHARGE THAT CURRENT DEFENSE MINISTER
VIDES CASANOVA'S COUSIN, COL. OSCAR EDGARDO CASANOVA,
ORDERED THE CHURCHWOMEN MURDERS?
A: THIS IS ALSO A NEW ALLEGATION, AND, UNDER THE SAME
LIMITS OF NOT PREJUDICING THE CHURCHWOMEN'S CASE. THE
ALLEGATION RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN IT ANSWERS SUCH AS:
THE FACT THAT HIS NAME WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY RAISED IN THE
COURSE OF INVESTIGATIONS OVER THREE YEARS, THAT FBI
POLYGRAPH EXAMS AND THE WEIGHT OF OTHER EVIDENCE HAVE
SUPPORTED A FINDING THAT THERE WERE NO INSTRUCTIONS FROM
THE HIGH COMMAND.
0: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER CHARGES MADE IN THE ARTICLE?
A: WE'RE IN NO POSITION TO GO DOWN THE CHARGES ONE BY ONE,
AND ARE MAKING AN EFFORT TO DETERMINE THE SUBSTANCE BEHIND
THEM.
-- EL SALVADOR: ATTACK ON PDC HEADQUARTERS --
0: DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON THE ATTACK ONTHECHRISTIAN
DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDC) HEADQUARTERS IN SAN SALVADOR?
A: WE STRONGLY DEPLORE SUCH ACTS OF VIOLENCE. OUR
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EMBASSY CONFIRMS THAT THIS ATTACK OCCURRED AND THAT T, ERE
WERE NO INJURIES. AS REPORTED IN THE PRESS, THE SECRET
ANTI-COMMUNIST COMMAND CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS
ATTACK. ALSO ON MARCH 6 THE GUERRILLAS IN SAN VICENTE
DEPARTMENT MACHINE-GUNNED AN AMBULANCE KILLING TWO RED
CROSS WORKERS WHO WERE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO THE AID OF
BATTLE CASUALTIES.
VIOLENCE FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT IS CLEARLY AIMED
AT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN EL SALVADOR, AND WE CONDEMN
BOTH. WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THE COURAGE AND THE
DETERMINATION OF THE SALVADORAN PEOPLE WILL PREVAIL
DESPITETHESE ATTEMPTS BY ARMED EXTREMISTS OF BOTH SIDES
TO UNDERMINE THE ELECTIONS.
0: HAS-THERE BEEN A CRACKDOWN ON PASSENGERS AND CARGO
COMING FROM COLOMBIA?
A: THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER STEM
THE FLOW OF NARCOTICS INTO THE UNITED STATES, -
SIGNIFICANTLY INTENSIFIED ITS SEARCHES ON MARCH 1. CARGO
SHIPMENTS AND PASSENGERS COMING FROM COLOMBIA HAVE BEEN
AFFECTED. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL TRAVELERS
COMING FROM COLOMBIA, REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITY, ARE
SUBJECT TO CLOSER SCRUTINY. WE FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT
EVERY EFORT IS BEING MADE TO MINIMIZE THE DISRUPTION OF
LEGITIMATE TRADE.
FURTHER QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE U.S. CUSTOMS
SERVICE.
-- ARGENTINA: FINANCIAL SITUATION --
0: ANY COMMENT ON THE WP STORY TODAY THAT ARGENTINA IS SO
FAR BEHIND IN ITS LOAN PAYMENTS THAT THE BANKS ARE
CLASSIFYING THE DEBTS AS PROBLEM LOANS?
A: IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT WHEN THE ALFONSIN
ADMINISTRATION TOOK OFFICE IN DECEMBER IT INHERITED RECORD
LEVELS OF INFLATION AND EXTERNAL DEBT. THE DEBT QUESTION
IS A COMPLICATED ONE AND IS NOT AMENABLE TO A QUICKOR
EASY SOLUTION. THE GOVERNMENT OF ARGENTINA HAS BEEN
WORKING WITH THE IMF AND THE COMMERCIAL BANKS TO DEVELOP A
PROGRAM TO STABILIZE THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY AND SERVICE
ARGENTINA'S DEBT. THESE DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE, AND IT IS
IN NO ONE'S INTEREST TO SEE THEM FAIL.
FYI TO SPOKESMAN: IF PRESSED FOR SPECIFICS, REFER TO
TREASURY.
0: CAN YOU CONFIRM THE ECONOMIST AND WP STORIES ABOUT THE
LOGISTICAL AND INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO BRITAIN
DURING THE FALKLANDS/MALVINAS WAR?
A: WE HAVE NOTHING TO ADD TO THE STATEMENTS AND
INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED ON THIS SUBJECT.
2. SUMMARY OF NOON PRESS BRIEFING, MARCH 7, 1984 (HUGHES)
BRIEFING BEGAN WITH CENTRAL AMERICA AND EL SALVADOR, AND
EXCEPT FOR BRIEF FORAY INTO MIDDLE EAST, STAYED THERE.
THE SECRETARY SEEMED A.. LITTLE TESTY YESTERDAY -- WOULD YOU
SAY THAT'S''AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION? SPOKESMAN SAID THE
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SECRETARY WAS "VIGOROUS IN ARTICULATING HIS POSITION."
DOES HE THINK THE ADMINISTRATION WILL GET WHAT IT WANTS IN
TERMS OF EL SALVADOR AID? SPOKESMAN SAID THE SECRETARY
DOES HOPE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL GET WHAT IT HAS ASKED
FOR. THE SECRETARY FEELS THE COMMISSION ON CENTRAL
AMERICA WAS BIPARTISAN, WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE
SPECTRUM. THE MEMBERS WORKED HARD -- THIS WAS NOT A
MANUFACTURED REPORT. BUT REPRESENTS DEDICATED WORK BY THE
COMMISSI S, WHO CAME TO CERTAIN CONCLUSIONS. THE
SECRETARY HOPES THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL COME TO SEE
THE WISDOM OF THOSE CONCLUSIONS.
BUT LANE KIRKLAND, A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, OPPOSES
MILITARY AID BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THE GOVERNMENT OF EL-
SALVADOR DOESN'T FULFILL THE CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THE
REPORT ITSELF -- CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? SPOKESMAN SAID HE
COULD NOT SPEAK FOR MR. KIRKLAND. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME
DISAGREEMENT ON THE ISSUE OF CONDITIONALITY AMONG THE
MEMBERS THEMSELVES -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STATE
DEPT. IS NOW SAYING THAT THE COMMISSION AGREED THAT
MILITARY AID SHOULD CONTINUE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES?
SPOKESMAN REFERRED THE REPORTER TO THE COMMISSION REPORT
ITSELF. THE SECRETARY AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE BOTH
ARTICULATED THE ADMINISTRATION'S VIEW ON CONDITIONALITY,
AND WE HOPE THIS CAN BE WORKED OUT WITH THE CONGRESS.
IS THE SECRETARY REALLY SAYING THE SITUATION IS SO SERIOUS
THAT UNLESS MILITARY AID IS PROVIDED VERY QUICKLY.
SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT FORCES WILL NOT HAVE THEMEANS TO
REPEL GUERRILLA ATTACKS? SPOKESMAN SAID HE DID NOT LIKE
TO TRY TO REINTERPRET THE SECRETARY'S WORDS,BUT THE
UNDERLYING THEME IS THAT THERE WILL BE AN ELECTION THE END
OF MARCH, WHICH MAY NOT BE CONCLUSIVE MAKING A SECOND
ROUND OF ELECTIONS PERHAPS NECESSARY. SO YOU HAVE AN
ELECTIONCAMPAIGN EXTENDING OVERTWO OR THREE MONTHS. IT
IS A FAIR SURMISE. AND THERE IS ALREADY EVIDENCE TO THAT
EFFECT, THAT THE LEFT WOULD LIKE TO INTERRUPT THE
ELECTORAL PROCESS. THIS PUTS AN ADDED STRAIN ON THE
MILITARY, WHICH MUST DEPLOY DIFFERENTLY AND DRAW UPON ITS
RESOURCES. AS LONG AS THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THOSE
RESOURCES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE A SECURITY SHIELD.
ARE YOU SAYING THE SALVADORAN MILITARY DOESN'T HAVE THE
MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS?
SPOKESMAN SAID HE COULD NOT GIVE A PRECISE TIME WHEN THE
SALVADORAN MILITARY MIGHT RUN OUT OF AMMUNITION, OR WHAT
THEY MIGHT BE CALLED UPON TO DO. BUT WHEN THEY MUST BOB
AROUND, AND DON'T KNOW FROM MONTH TO MONTH WHAT THE
SITUATION WITH THEIR RESOURCES WILL BE, IT TAKES THE HEART
OUT OF THEIR WILL TO FIGHT.
REP. LONG SUGGESTED THAT ADDITIONAL AID TOEL SALVADOR
SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN BEFORE THE ELECTION, SO THAT MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS COULD SEE IF ROBERTO D'AUBUISSON IS GOING TO
WIN -- WHAT WOULD BE THE ADMINISTRATION'S REACTION TO
POSTPONING THE QUESTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AID UNTIL AFTER
THE ELECTION SO CONGRESS CAN SEE WHO WINS? SPOKESMAN SAID
THERE WOULD BE MANY WHO BELIEVED THAT WOULD HAVE A
CRITICAL EFFECT ON THE CONDUCT OF THE ARMY, BUT PROMISED
TO LOOK INTO THE DEPARTMENT'S POSITION.
'HE SECRETARY SAID BEFORE THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE THAT SINCE WE ARE CALLING ON THE SALVADORANS TO
CONDUCT FREE AND HONEST ELECTIONS. WE MUST ACCEPT THE
RESULTS -- DOES THAT STILL HOLD. SPOKESMAN SAID THE
SECRETARY'S WORDS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. IF WE BELIEVE IN
THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, WE MUST FOLLOW IT TO THE END -- WE
CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE CANDIDATES. DOES TH PARTMENT
HAVE A CONTINGENCY POSITION OF ROBERTO D'AUBUISSON WINS?
SPOKESMAN SAID WE ARE ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN FAVOR OF THE
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ELECTORAL PROCESS; THERE ARE SIX CANDIDATES FOR
PRESIDENT. THAT PROCESS ALSO APPARENTLY INCLUDES THE
SHOOTING UP OF A DUARTE CAMPAIGN OFFICE--ANY COMMENT?
SPOKESMAN READ THE PREPARED GUIDANCE. ALSO, ABOUT TEN
DAYS AGO. THE LARGEST LABOR UNIONTHERE GAVEA PRESS
CONFERENCE IN WHICH IT CHARGED THAT MANY OF ITS MEMBERS
HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY ARMY OFFICERS AND TOLD TOVOTE FOR
THE PCN OR ARENA PARTIES, BUT NOT THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS
-- ANY COMMENT? SPOKESMAN SAID HE HAD NOTHING ON THAT.
IS IT CORRECT TO ASSUME THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS
STRENGTHENING ITS POSITION ON EL SALVADOR BECAUSE OF
LEBANON, SINCE THEY ARE TAKING PARALLEL LINES? SPOKESMAN
SAID THE TWO CASES ARE NOT PARALLEL. THE ADMINISTRATION
IS TAKING ITS CENTRAL AMERICA POSITION BECAUSE IT BELIEVES
IT IS RIGHT. WE BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AREA, WITH
IMPORTANT ISSUES AT STAKE FOR US AND THE PEOPLEOF CENTRAL
AMERICA. THOSE SOUND LIKE THE SAME TERMS MENTIONED WHEN
WE GOT INVOLVEDIN LEBANON? SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE
PRINCIPLES UNDERLIE U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AROUND THE WORLD.
WE OPERATE IN MANY AREAS WHERE THE OUTCOME IS IN OUR
NATIONAL INTEREST. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A
COMPASSIONATE INTEREST IN PROMOTING PEACE AND IN
ENCOURAGING THE ABILITY OF FREE MEN TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY
OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING.
IS THE ADMINISTRATION'S CONCERN ABOUT EL SALVADOR SO DEEP
BECAUSE IT COMES SO SOON AFTER THE SETBACK IN LEBANON --
DOES IT FEAR THAT IF THE GOES DOES NOT GET SUFFICIENT ARMS
THAT IT MIGHT SUFFER MAJOR SETBACKS? SPOKESMAN SAID
PEOPLE COULD MAKE THAT SURMISE, BUT IT IS NOT ACCURATE
THAT WE HAVE ONLY LATELY COME TOOUR COMMITMENT IN EL
SALVADOR. WE HAVE HAD SUCH A COMMITMENT FOR SOME TIME,
AND THE REASONS ARE OBVIOUS. WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERN -- IS
THAT NEW? SPOKESMAN SAID NO, THAT THE KISSINGER
COMMISSION WAS AT WORK FOR MANY MONTHS. ITS ANALYSIS AND
OUR CONCERN ABOUT THAT AREA AND OUR UNENTHUSIASTIC
ATTITUDE TOWARD THE FLOW OF OUTSIDE ARMS IN1b THE AREA HAS
NOT SURFACED BECAUSE OF EVENTS IN LEBANON.
WOULD YOU SAY THEN THAT THE CONGRESS IS TAKING OUT ITS IRE
ON THE LEBANON ISSUE BY ITS ACTIONS ON CENTRAL AMERICA?
SPOKESMAN SAID HE WOULDN'T DREAM OF TRYING TO INTERPRET
CONGRESSIONAL MOTIVATIONS.
IS THE DECISION ON WHETHER TO GO AROUND CONGRESS AND USE
EMERGENCY FUNDS TO PROVIDE AID TO EL SALVADOR NOW BEFORE
THE PRESIDENT? SPOKESMAN SAIDNO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.
THE SECRETARY SAID YESTERDAY THAT NO DECISION HAS-BEEN
MADE AND ALSO THAT THE QUESTION WAS NOTBEFORE THE
PRESIDENT. DOES THAT STILL HOLD? SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WAS
STILL TRUE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON YESTERDAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
MONITOR STORY ON MISMANAGEMENT OF AID FUNDSINEL
SALVADOR? SPOKESMAN REFERRED THE QUESTIONER TO TUESDAY'S
GUIDANCE ON THAT SUBJECT.
THERE ARE REPORTS THAT THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS GOING ONWITH
THE SOVIET UNION ON A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD BRINGTHEM
INTO THE PICTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN EXCHANGE FOR GIVING
THE U.S. A FREE HAND IN CENTRAL AMERICA --ANY
CONFIRMATION OF THAT? SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE ALWAYS
PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON BETWEEN THE U.S.AND THE
SOVIET UNION, THROUGH THEIR AMBASSADOR HERE AND OUR
AMBASSADOR THERE. WHILE OUR POSITION MUST BE THAT WE
DON'T TALK ABOUT PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS, YOU WOULD BE ON
SHAKY GROUINDS TO SUGGEST WE WOULD IN ANY WAY BRING THE
SOVIETS INTO THE MIDDLE EAST.
IF YOU SAY THAT THE GUERRILLAS IN EL SALVADOR DON'T HAVE
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POPULAR SUPPORT, WHY THEN HAVE YOUR ESTIMATES OF GUERRILLA
FORCES DOUBLED? SPOKESMAN SAID HE THOUGHT THERE WAS
GUIDANCE ON THAT SUBJECT FROM SOME WEEKS AGO, AND THE
REPORTER SHOULD CHECK IN THE PRESS OFFICE.
ANYTHING ON NICARAGUAN CHARGES THAT MINES ARE BEING
SUPPLIED TO THE INSURGENTS? SPOKESMAN SAID HE HAD
NOTHING. HAS THE U.S. RECEIVED A PROTEST NOTE ABOUT
THAT? SPOKESMAN SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO THE-QUESTION.
SHULTZ
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