LETTER TO JOHN A. MCCONE FROM HENRY A. KISSINGER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 7, 1970
• Content Type: LETTER

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
October 7, 1970
Dear John:
Thank you for your letter of September 14 on
Chile. You may be sure that we are all con-
cerned about the situation. It is a difficult
one, and I assure you that the President is
similarly concerned.
I appreciate your sending me your thoughts,
and I shall certainly keep them in mind. Per-
haps when I return from Europe we can have
a chat.
Warm regards,
Henry A.' Kissinger
Honorable John A. McCone
Los Angeles, a x orma 90017
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
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THE WHITE HOUSE
STAT
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
(rnon-lag)
ACTION
8e rptcra b ?r G5, 1970
.",I. MCiRA'NDUM FOR DR. KI.S:tNGER
Fl0M. Viron P. Vaky
SUBJECT; Letter from J-.-)hn A. McCone re Chile
At Tab A for your signature is a . uggested reply to fir. McCone'n
letter concerning the Chilean :situation (Tab B)
IECOM: XDATIO
That you sign the letter at Tab A.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
Thank you for your letter of September 14 on
Chile. You may be sure that we are all con-
cerned about the ,situation, It is a difficult
one, and I assure you that the President is
similarly concerned.
I appreciate your sending me your thoughts,
and I _h:...l.l certainly keep then) in mind. Per-
haps v..rhen I return from L'-'.rope we can have
a chat.
Warm m regards,
Henry A. Kissinger
Los Angeles, California 90017
Vaky/vmr 9-Z5-70
(PERSONAL/ CONFIDENTIAL)
W
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
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 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
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September 14, 1970
PERSONAL AND
CONFIDENTXAL
Dear Henry;
As I told you on the telephone on Friday, I am deeply
.concerned over developments in Chile. My concern stems
from my experiences as Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency in 1964 as well as my recent, contact as a Director
and member of the Executive Committee of International
Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. As you know, this
company owns and operates the Chilean telephone system
and other enterprises in that country. The book value of
.their investments is about $150, 000, 000 against which they
hold United States guarantees (I believe through AID) totalling
$95, 000, 000 to $100, 000, 000.
There is no question in my mind that Allende is a
Marxist and his announced policies of nationalizing most
industry, communications, etc. are dictated from outside
of the country.
In June of 1964, three months before the election,
Allende fielded some 300 sound trucks and employed from
3, 000 to 3, 500 political workers. This substantial effort
was financed by $1, 000, 000 of United States currency which
.reportedly came from Communist sources outside of the
country presumably,. Moscow.
support Frei's campaign. v
American business interests became alarmed over
the prospect of Allende winning the election and offered to
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5
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The campaign was successful. Frei was the first man
in recent years to carry a. clear majority, his vote exceeding
541?%o and his success carried over to the subsequent congressional
election when his party won some 55% or 56% of the seats of
their parliament.
.I give you this background because I feel that we acted
very wisely in 1964 and while Frei as President took many
actions inamicable to our interests, nevertheless, his admin,i-
stration was always free of outside influences.
The ITT officers and directors are deeply concerned
over the future of Chile if Allende is seated as President
and they are also fearful that his policies will extend to neighboring
countries in Latin America, most particularly, the Argentine,
Brazil and Peru. Therefore, they feel.that anything that can
be done between now and October 24th to prevent Allende taking
office as President should be done and ITT alone are prepared
to put up a minimum of $1, 000, 000 for this purpose.
Understandably, however, and consistent with. their
policy, they will not engage in political action in Chile or in
any other country unless they are acting in concert with United
States Government policies. Incidentally, representatives of
the three neighboring states mentioned above have all contacted
ITT urging some immediate action on their part.
It is a disappointment to me that we did not take more
aggressive action prior to the election. However, it may not
be too late and it is for that reason I am writing expressing my
concern and indicating the extent to which at least one company
in the private sector is willing to go.
I know this is a sensitive subject and should you wish to
discuss it further, I wm willing to come to Washington to meet
with you and others at your convenience and request. Please
hold this letter in your complete confidence.
Dr. Henry A. Kisein
Assistant of Natio
The White House
Washington, D. C.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-108-5-1-5