INR WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS NO. 120, AUGUST 24, 1979 - 1979/08/24

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Keywords: HUMAN RIGHTS
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01057237
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: August 24, 1979

Approved for Release: 2018/09/20 CO1057237
SECRET
INR WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS
-TN R-1
No. 120, August 24, 1979
TRANSFERRED/RECOMMEND RELEASE
CONCURRENCE REQUESTED
LATIN AMERICA 3.5(c)
Argentina
Reaction to US Statements. Remarks by the Department's
spokesman regarding police raids on human rights organizations
and US concern about reports of clandestine prisoners have
provoked angry responses from Argentine officialdom. On
August 20, Foreign Ministry officials delivered a formal.. pro-
test to Ambassador Castro, labeling the Department's comments
on the police raids as "inadmissible and imprudent." The
protest, however, was delivered in a manner indicating that.
the Argentines were concerned about preserving the positive
tone in bilateral relations established during Secretary
Vance's recent conversation with Foreign Minister Pastor in
Quito.
On August 21, the Argentine tone changed dramatically as
an enraged Foreign Minister Pastor.demanded Ambassador Castro's
explanation for the Department's comments on clandestine
prisoners. Pastor warned that a more strident official pro-
test may be in the offing and said he feared that a strong
wave of anti-US sentiment was building in official, public,
and media circles. (CONFIDENTIAL, Buenos Aires 6782,
August 20; 6803, August 21)
INR Comment: The atmosphere created by these bilateral
exchanges unfortunately coincides with press reports that the
IAHRC may present a "preliminary report" on its Argentine
visit (September 6-20) to the OAS General Assembly that opens
in La Paz on October 22. The prospect of such a maneuver,
which would constitute a significant departure from established
IAHRC procedures, will upset the Argentines, who do not expect
their human rights situation to be on the agenda in La Paz.
Unless the rumor about a "preliminary report" is put to rest
in the current heated atmosphere, pressure could mount for a
last-minute postponement or cancellation of the IAHRC visit.
(CONFIDENTIAL)
SECRET/NOFORN
RDS-1,
TRACT/ORCON
/99 (Multiple sources)
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3.5(c)
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3.5(c)