ATTACHED IS A CIA ASSESSMENT OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN PORTUGAL
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
LOC-HAK-52-1-9-3
Release Decision:
RIFLIM
Original Classification:
S
Document Page Count:
1
Document Creation Date:
January 11, 2017
Document Release Date:
September 26, 2012
Sequence Number:
9
Case Number:
Publication Date:
September 30, 1974
Content Type:
MEMO
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
LOC-HAK-52-1-9-3.pdf | 46.83 KB |
Body:
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/09/26: LOC-HAK-52-1-9-3
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MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET
September 30, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
Attached is a CIA assessment of the latest developments in Portugal
(Tab A).
In my opinion, this assessment is very wide of the mark. It is reassuring
in tone, tends to minimize the extent of the threat from the left, and is
in general the sort of assessment which one might expect of the New York
Times.
Events in Portugal over the weekend seem clearly to demonstrate that
the situation there is moving inexorably in a leftist direction, with the
Communists and Left Socialists in a controlling position. This was
precisely the fear expressed by Spinola when he met with President Nixon
last June in the Azores. There is every reason to believe that the
moderate forces in Portugal have suffered a severe setback and that the
position of extremists elements has been substantially enhanced. The
Communists and Socialists appear to be the only organized political
forces in Portugal. In sum, I consider the situation to be very grave
(General Walters, CIA Deputy Director, who returned recently from a
visit to Portugal, agrees with my views and is very concerned at the
thrust of the CIA assessment. He did not, however, wish to overrule
unilaterally the views of his estimators.)
An assessment which I consider much closer to the mark, but which
still may underestimate the implications of Spin?la's ouster, is at
Tab B.
MORI/CDF
C00754532
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/09/26 : LOC-HAK-52-1-9-3