(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 12, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 26, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

Sf!e Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31 : CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
26 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Mr. Hugh Montgomery
Director, Bureau of Intelligence
and Research
Department of State
Hugh:
In view of the slowness of the dissemination
system, I thought you might like to see this
addendum to our memorandum today.
I
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
26 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Ambassador Langhorne A. Motley
Assistant Secretary of State for
Inter-American Affairs
Tony:
In view of the slowness of the dissemination
system, I thought you might like to see this
addendum to our memorandum today. I understand
that you want to get together with Don Gregg in
order to sort this out. who has just
and I will be happy
to get together with you at your convenience.
Attachment:
As stated
Attachment:
As stated
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SECRET
Directorate
Of Office of African and Intelligence
Latin American Analysis
26 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Dr. Const
Senior ante Menges
National taff Member, Security Council Constantine: uncil
In view of
system, I th of the slowness of the dissemination
ough
addendum to ou
r You might like to
see'
ee this
memorandum today.
Attachment:
As stated
SECRET
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
EL SALVADOR: DEALING WITH DEATH SQUADS 25X1
Comments
1. Unfortunately, the CIA memorandum on the Salvadoran
death squads and Ambassador Pickering's response appear to be
dealing with two separate issues. The CIA memorandum was
answering the question of what has the Salvadoran government
accomplished in its effort to crackdown on rightwing death squads
from a relatively broad perspective, while the US Embassy is
focusing on the Salvadoran response to the specific requests of
Vice President Bush. The CIA agrees that the.Salvadorans have
done all that we have asked to be done, but we also believe that
the government is reluctant, and may in fact be incapable, of
undertaking a real crackdown on the death squads. As the Embassy
points out, however, the US proposals were meant to be a starter,
and they have had a positive effect in El Salvador. "r
2. Concerning the facts, we would point out that deaths
attributed to political violence have not declined. significantly,
only notorious high-level death squads claims of violence. We
also would point out that several Army commanders with past death
squad associations, especially Zacapa and Zepeda, were appointed
to new leadership positions after the Vice President's visit.
Finally, while the special investigative unit will be lead by
Lieutenant Colonel Rivas, Captain Arango was named to head an ad
hoc investigation within the armed forces.
These comments were prepared ALA, as a result of
perceptions obtained during his recent visit to E Salvador. It contains
information available as of 30 January 1984. Questions and comments are
welcome and should be addressed to Chief, Middle-America Caribbean Division,
ALA,
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 EL SALVADOR: DEALING WITH DEATH SQUADS 25X1
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SECRET
Addendum
While the efforts by the Salvadoran government and military
high command to crack down on rightwing violence have been mainly
verbal, they nevertheless have had a positive effect in El
Salvador. Rightwing violence has been greatly reduced in the
past month, and the death squads have generally toned down their
public threats and propaganda efforts. Such threats have not
ceased entirely, however, and in early January one extremist
group publicly warned the military high command that it was
becoming too subservient to the US.
general popular feeling of greater confidence and anticipatiQn
about the scheduled March presidential elections. The hope is
that with the rightwing death squads lying low, there may be less
The reduction of rightwing threats and violence has been
well received in El Salvador, and apparently has contributed-to a
pre-election political violence than previously expected.
Another positive effect of the military's public warnings
about rightwing violence is that they may have driven a greater
wedge between the high command and various ultrarightist
political leaders who may have hoped to gain some measure of
military support in the electoral campaign. In view of the fact
that the crackdown has been largely cosmetic, however, the
possibility of political collusion between the ultraright and
various hardline military officers, as well as a resurgence of
death squad activity, cannot be excluded. There may even be a
spout of new coup rumors around election time, particularly if it
appears that Duarte might be a first-round victor.
This addendum was prepared b ALA, as a result of
perceptions obtained during his recent visit to El Salvador. It contains
information available as of 24 January 1984. Questions and comments are
welcome and should be addressed to Chief, Middle-America Caribbean Division,
ALA,
4
SECRET
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
SELttC i
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
ie who returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
We provided a copy of this addendum to
Vice President Bush, Ambassadors Pickering
and Motley, Hugh Montgomery and Constantine
Menges.
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
Chief who-returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
We provided a copy of this addendum to
Vice President Bush, Ambassadors Pickering
and Motley, Hugh Montgomery and Constantine
Menges.
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Attachment:
As stated
Director
SECRET
Attachment:
As stated
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
SECRET
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Executive Director
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
Chief who returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
We provided a copy of this addendum to
Vice President Bush, Ambassadors Pickering
and Motley, Hugh Montgomery and Constantine
Menges.
25 January 1984
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
Chief who returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
We provided a copy of this addendum to
Vice President Bush, Ambassadors Pickering
and Motley, Hugh Montgomery and Constantine
Menges.
Attachment:
As stated
Attachment:
As stated
or, %I I
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25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering
US Embassy El Salvador
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
Chief who returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
Attachment:
As stated
erector
African and Latin American Analysis
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31 : CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Dr. Constantine Menges
Senior Staff Member, Inter-America
National Security Council
Constantine :
Attached is an addendum to our-memorandum
dealin with e death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
ie wo returned this week from El Salvador,
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
it ce or
Attachment:
As stated
SECRET
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
Chief who returned this week from El Salvador,
feels thavthe US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
NOTE FOR: Ambassador Langhorne A. Motley
Assistant Secretary of State for
Inter-American Affairs
Tony:
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
Attachment:
As stated
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3
Directorate of Intelligence
Office of African and Latin American Analysis
25 January 1984
NOTE FOR: Mr. Hugh Montgomery
Director, Bureau of Intelligence
and Research
Department of State
Hugh:
Attached is an addendum to our memorandum
dealing with the death squads in El Salvador.
my Central American Branch
feels that the US message concerning the death
squads had indeed been received, and that although
the government's response has been mainly verbal,
the US position was understood and has had a
clear impact.
Chief who returned this week from El Salvador,
I
Attachment:
As stated
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/31: CIA-RDP04T00367R000100260002-3