[SANITIZED]LATIN AMERICA REGIONAL AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS 22 MARCH 1977 - 1977/03/22

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06627906
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: March 22, 1977

Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 C06627906
Latin America
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LATIN AMERICA
22 March 1977
CONTENTS
Latin America: Reaction to US
Human Rights Policy. . . .
3.5(c)
1
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington community by
the Latin America Division, Office of Regional and Political Analysis, with oc-
casional `,contributions from other offices within the Directorate of Intelligence.
Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed. to the authors of the
individual articles.
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SECITE5'.
3.5(c)
Latin America: Reaction to US Human Rights Policy
The US policy on human rights has aroused deep re-
sentment among Latin American nations. Some, like Bra-
zil, have demonstrated their strong displeasure; others,
like Argentina, are attempting to mute their anger at a
policy they believe is being selectively, applied.
The Latin governments that have come in for the
most serious scrutiny have denounced US pressure as an
intolerable interference in what they cOnsider strictly
an internal affair. Five countries--Argentina, Brazil,
Uruguay, Guatemala, and El Salvador--have highlighted
their annoyance by rejecting US military assistance be-
cause of aid cuts imposed by Washington or because the
aid was tied t43 their record on human rights. Resentment
could lead many Latin countries to turn increasingly to
other sources of military supplies including the USSR.
'Whether' US human -:right- polity Will have any posi-
tive effect remains to be teen. At least one government,
the Chilean junta, has taken an even tougher line
against domestic political dissent. Most Latin govern-
ments have at some time had to cope with active insur-
gency; the Argentine junta is still battling the viru-
lent Mpntonero faction. Area leaders are determined
not to abandon the tactics they 'believe- essential to
cope with terrorism or prevent its recurrence. At least
some Latin Americans find' the US. policy unsettling; many
believe authoritarian regimes. are the ,only deterrent to
political and economic chaos in their countries. Only
Venezuela has publicly praised the US for its stand on
human rights.
US policy seems to be-contributing to the tendency
of Latin governments--.especially in South America�to
draw together in response to shared problems and common
perceptions of the outside world.. Virtually all the gov-
ernments affected by US action have endorsed each other's
defiande of Washington. Some of the South Americans are
reportedly looking into ways to coordinate their opposi-
tion. :They are ,Said to be Considering urging all Latin
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presidents to reject US military aid and refuse to par-
ticipate with the US Navy in the annual training exer-
cise "Operation Unitas."
US leverage onthe human rights issue is now limited.
The Latins not only remain firm in their belief that
their tactics are completely justified, but are deter-
mined to avoid actions that could be construed as
"knuckling under" to US pressure. All hope the US will
mute its call for human rights improvements and allow a
"cooling off" period. It is conceivable that some of
the area's governments will eventually alter their poli-
cies, but only when they perceive that their internal
situations warrant improvement and Certainly not while
there is a danger of appearing to respond directly to
Washington's wishes.
Argentina, on the other hand, though seriously dis-
turbed, has tended to minimize its reaction and seems
determined to contain the rights issue. The Argentines
swiftly rejected all further US military assistance once
Washington announced aid cuts but did so without the bel-
ligerence that marked the Brazilian rejection. Argentine
officials have made clear that they hope the rights prob-
lem will not affect bilateral concerns. Nonetheless,
they have indicated that they will continue those prac-
tices they deem indispensable to combat leftist terror-
ists", whatever outside criticism they incur.
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