Outside System MEMORANDUM NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION April 10 1972 ONLY MEMORANDUM FOR HENRY A KISSINGER FROM WILLIAM J JORDEN SUBJECT 40 Committee Meeting - CHILE April 11 1972 CIA has come up with a new proposal for additional support for El Mercurio the largest newspaper--and loudest Opposition voice- in Santiago The new tranche wouldbe for It breaks down as follows 25 251 1 BACKGROUND In September 1971 we decided to support E1 Mercurio in the amount of We provided an additional mu October and December 25ch DISCUSSION You are aware probably painiuii of the back round SECRET ON LY NSC DECIASSIFICAHON $2958 Exempt In 9311 and redact as shown by LSaNoni Date 91140000 -2- SECRET SENSITIVE EYES ONLY The heart of the argument for continuing support is the following from the CIA paper The Ambassador and the Chief of Station indicate that E1 Mercurio is a significant element in promoting the Opposition cause In our view E1 Mercurio s continued existence as an independent voice highly reapected both inside and outside Chile is deemed essential in the forthcoming period leading up to the Congressional elections which if Allende wins will permit him to govern en-his terms - CIA and State favor the preposal The general feeling appears to be that we have little choice E1 Mercurio is important It is thorn in Allende s side It does help give heart to the opposition forces Without it the Allende Government would have much clearer sailing And _i_f_it goes down the drain because of government pres sure--as opposed to financial failure- we have an excellent freedom of the press is sue to use there and in the Hemisphere Thus I reluctantlx conclude that we should go along with this But before casting a final vote 252 1 thinks we could get by With- It is not clear where the difference is - But I understand that El Mercurio is about to run out of'credit There is one discrepancy in the paper On page 12 it says Ambassador Davis 251 1 And without ink a newspaper is not a neWSpaperuit is just paper Talking Points attached follow above general line Attachment Talking Points SECR ET EYES ON LY                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu