CENTRAL AMERICA -- PORTENTS OF POTENTIAL INCREASED TERRORIST VIOLENCE INCLUDING AGAINST US TARGETS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R001202690004-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 23, 2009
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 13, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2009/04/23: CIA-RDP85M00363R001202690004-2
SYSTE
1471x1 II
SECRET 9
December 13, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE GEORGE P. SHULTZ
The Secretary of State
THE HONORABLE CASPAR W. WEINBERGER
The Secretary of Defense
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM-J. CASEY
Director of Central Intelligence
GENERAL JOHN W. VESSEY, JR.
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
SUBJECT: Central America--Portents of Potential
Increased Terrorist Violence, Including
Against US Targets (S)
This memorandum is intended to request that you give special
attention to the possibility that communist guerrilla and
terrorist groups in Central America will become increasingly
active in the next weeks, including against US targets. This may
he suggested by the following:
-- Last week Fidel Castro sent a message to us through the
Swiss Ambassador in Cuba which restated his contention
that Cuban international subversion is "not
negotiable", repeated his support for the Contadora
process (but not necessarily the Contadora
objectives--including democratization), and, told us
that many Cuban civilian personnel in Nicaragua would
be replaced by individuals with military training who
could "defend themselves" (this may suggest a covert
increase in the Cuban military strength there).
-- In El Salvador,
guerrillas are seeking information on the location of
US advisors; there may also be additional risks because
of our attempts to bring an end to the activities of
the violent right.
SECRET .
DECLASSIFY ON: OADR
NSC review completed.
Approved For Release 2009/04/23: CIA-RDP85M00363R001202690004-2
 Approved For Release 2009/04/23: CIA-RDP85M00363R001202690004-2
SEGREF
SECRET
In Guatemala, we have reports
that the guerrillas plan more ur an terrorism and
intend to attack the US Embassy and the main US Marine
Guard residence.
The number of US personnel in Honduras has increased
sharply with the current military exercises, and this
means additional opportunities for communist
terrorists. We have reports that Nicaraguan commandos
are preparing some unspecified attacks against US
personnel.
about 1,000 rifles are
being sent into Costa Rica to the extreme left groups
there. If true, possible targets could include US
personnel as occurred in the spring of 1981.(S)
These reports may not be followed by dramatic action. However,
it is also logical that the Cuban and communist guerrilla
leadership may seek to undermine US political support for our
efforts in Central America by using roughly simultaneous
terrorist attacks against US personnel throughout Central America
during the Christmas-New Year season or in the first weeks of
1984. Therefore, I request that you task your organizations to
take precautionary measures and to collect and summarize relevant
data to be provided to the Director of Central Intelligence who is requested
to provide a threat assessment due the week of
December 19, 1983.(S)
FOR THE PRESIDENT:
SECRET
SECRET
Approved For Release 2009/04/23: CIA-RDP85M00363R001202690004-2