MEETING AT HOME OF CPAO WITH LOZANO AND SEATON - 1978/08/25

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06626860
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: August 25, 1978

Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 C06626860
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
DATE: August 25, 1978 - 5:30 p.m.
PARTICIPANTS: Ambassador Ignacio Lozano, Mr. Edward/
Seaton, Mr. John R. Higgins, and
Jerry Scott
- PLACE: Home of John R. Higgins, CPAO
SUBJECT: Meeting at home of CPAO with
Lozano and Seaton
SUMMARY: Messrs. Lozano and Seaton on August 23 met with
Minister of the Interior General de Division Albano Eduaido
Harguindeguy and obtained permission to visit Jacobo
Timerman that afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Their Observations
Lozano and Seaton were cordially received by Harguindeguy.
Their request to see Timerman was greeted with what they
described as enthusiasm. The Minister explained in answer
to their question, that Timerman was being held without
charges while an investigation is being conducted by
CONAREPA to determine alleged "violations of patrimony"
in theValio Corp. of which David Graiver and. Timerman
were the major stockholders. The Minister explained to
Lozano and Seaton that Graiver and Timerman each owned
45 percent of the Valpiho stock. After Graiver's dis-
appearance,'Timerman announced the stockholders' meetings
in an obscure newspaper and through manipulation acquired
96 percent of the stock. Harguindeguy said that Timermanis
citizenship has been revoked. And, as soon as he clears
up his financial problems he can leave for Poland, Russia,
Israel; or any country that wants him. Harguindeguy also
stated that the government has 1 500 persons under arrest.
He said that although they have no specific charges on many
of them, they know that they are subversives and, therefore,
have them in detention. The Minister was apparently very
open about his remarks concerning censorship. He said,
"they didn't want stories published on subversive forces,
or stories that divide the military." He was very interested
in the IAPA meeting next year and expressed a desire to
personally welcome the IAPA delegates to Buenos Aires. The
Minister also said that the Opinion newspaper is the most
popular paper among the military.
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While with Timerman, Lozano and Seaton were told that he
"did not know that his citizenship had been revoked."
Furthermore, Timerman said that he would not request
permission to leave the country, but "if they tell me I
can leave I will go." He also said that if he left
immediately, he would put his belongings in the hands of
his lawyer who could clear up his finances for him.
Timerman expressed the thought that his problem is in being
a Jew. -Lozano reported that Timerman is looking in good
health. He is able to receive visitors,.however, when
people come to visit his family he must retire to a back
room. His two sons are also with him at present. His
wife may be leaving the country soon. Her health and general
state appear to be worse than her husband's. Timerman said
he hadn't seen a dentist in a year and a half, although
an optomitrist has been allowed to visit him.
Lozano and Seaton also met with Rabbi Myer. When they
informed the Rabbi that Timerman's citizenship had been
revoked, the Rabbi "got very excited and said he could
line up a foreign passport right away. "Myer also suggested
that Ambassador Castro visit Harguindeguy 'to pin him down'
Iconcerning the CONAREPA investigation, sipce a 'CPA's
report could serve as evidence.'" Lozano mentioned Vance's
statement that "two accountants in two days could conclude
the investigation." Myer said that "he had sources in high
places that say the report is finished but they're holding
it." The Rabbi wants a press conference to put pressure
on (CONAREPA) the commission to complete the report. Myer
told Lozano that if Timerman would request asylum in
Israel, the Israeli Ambassador in Argentina would attempt
to get his release.
Lozano and Seaton agreed that they would recommend that the
IAPA meeting take place in Argentina next year, but would not
act on the suggestion by Raul Kraiselburg to nominate.
Bob Cox of the Herald to be committee host.
Lozano and Seaton also discussed their meeting with
Harguindeguy and Timerman with Diane Page (UPI) and
Juan de Onis of the New York Times.
cc:
AMB
DCM ARA/ECA
POLvr USICA AR
PAO INR/OJL
DAO INR/RAR
POL R HA/HR
SY AR - Lister
USICAAL:vp LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 C06626860