CIA LEADER IN TALKS WITH SPAIN'S 'REFORMS' GENERAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00901R000700080055-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 23, 2005
• Sequence Number: 55
• Publication Date: June 25, 1975
• Content Type: NSPR

'EM GUAPDIA," (MANCITESTEF-t)
25 JUNE 1975
Approved For Release 2005/11/28 : CIA-RDP91-00901R00070
leader in talks Wi
fil's. reforms'. gunner
, ,From TUGU,EL ACOCA, Madi idi' June, 21
' Lieutenant-General"' Vernon on April 25, 1974, In August Democrats but members of the
Walters, ` deputy chief of the last year he visited Portugal
to democratic junta, a coalition of
Cent
l ' 'I
lli
I
ra
ute
gence Agency
?,
was here last week for a meet-
ing with a controversial
Spanish general who was
removed from his post last year
for advocating deep reforms of
the Spanish dictatorship,
Although it is not known
whether Walters, considered an
expert on Iberian affairs, niet
any members of the tolerated
Spanish opposition, some of its
members had been quietly
alerted that the American
general would be in Spain on
June 15, 16, and 17, and would
like to discuss current Spanish
developments and what to
expect in the post-Franco era,
The United States is concerned
not only about the transition
,
,
11
ommun
as
y
but about the future of its mill- shown aninterest in Spanish bee activities. have become
tart' bases here. assessment of developments in CIA a
increasingly wary of the CIA
?ources confirmed - that Portugal,. presence in Spain. Imliortant
General Walters talked with The American intelligence liberal corporate lawyers, in
Lieutenant-General M a n it e I officer, however, had talks with effect, have gone so far as to
Diez Alegria, former head of the US ambassador, Mr Wells allege that the US Chamber of
the general sjaff, General Stabler, and with some Spanish Commerce here was a CIA.vehi
Franco (82), relieved Dies Ale- officials, including Lieutenant- cle
gria of his key intelligence and General Carlos Vallespin, Dipz After the Portuguese revolu-
planning post last summer Alegria's successor. -lion 16 months ago, many
after reports that he felt the Dies Alegria has a reputation Spaniards compared Dies Ale-
time had come to dismantle the for being an intellectual, and gria to General Spinola, the
authoritarian regime- to avoid is a close friend of Don Juan. -monocled cavalry officer who
bloodshed after Franco leaves, Recently the politically-active became first President of the
the scene. retired officer has travelled post-dictatorship Lisbon
Walters has become actively throughout Spain for meetings regime, At the time, Diez Ale
interested in the Iberian penin- with dissident factions. His con- grin began to receive monocles'
sula since the coup in Portugal tacts include not only Social in his mail.-Z Vashington,,Pgsf-
the Portuguese revolution for bankers, lawyers, and. outlawed
the Secretary of State, Dr Kis- Communists. He - has been -
singer, He was urged to visit tipped as the Prime Minister
Spain's neighbour by the of the first post-Franco Govern-
former US Ambassador, Mr ment, but he has disclaimed
homing Anderson, a retired US any such ambition. I
naval admiral, who is his close. Sources said that the Spanish!
friend. general and the American
It is not known whether - general were' old friends. There
during his stay in Madrid, h been hints that the
Walters saw Mr Frank Carlucci, Spanish military collaborate
US. ambassador' to Portugal, closely with US intelligence,
who was receving treatment in and that the CIA has obtained
the US hospital at Torrejon air Important information from -
force base near here. Spanish sources about Latin
There was no indication that America, particularly Cuba and
Walters had had any meetings justebef
A
.1
herl
a
ore
t
m
t
re coupithihti P p
wL . rg-wngortuguese , exiles living here, but the US a,,ainst: President Allende.
In recent months
Spaniards
c
it
h
STAT
Approved For Release 2005/11/28 : CIA-RDP91-00901 R000700080055-6