LETTER TO LTG VERNON A. WALTERS FROM W.D. CRITTENBERGER, JR.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002200110009-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 4, 2004
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 7, 1975
• Content Type: LETTER

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DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20301
C-2315/AH-2
LTG Vernon A. Walters, USA
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C. 20505
I NAY 1975
(U) Danny Graham asked me to keep you apprised of the status of the
proposal to invite Lt Gen Carlos Fernandez Vallespin, Chief of the Spanish
High General Staff, to the U.S..
,(.C) Discussion with State's Iberian Affairs desk indicates that the time
is not propitious for a visit, in view of the delicate nature of current
base negotiations. Any appearance of implication that we are trying to
"buy" the Spaniards must obviously be avoided. Additionally, no "new initi-
atives" is State's guideline in regard to U.S.-Spanish bilateral relations
for the duration of negotiations which are apt to run on to September. It
appears that this visit falls in the "new initiatives" category.
(C) As a related matter, Jim Dixon, our DATT/ARMA Madrid, proposed to DA
last December a special group tour for FY76 for Lt Generals Coloma Gallegos
(Army Minister), Fernandez Vallespin (CHGS) and Villaescusa Quilis (Army C/S),
with wives, aides, and an escort officer. Of the three, only General
Villaescusa has not visited the States previously; the DATT gives him first
priority as an invitee if the group tour cannot be accommodated, seeing him
an excellent candidate as future Army Minister.
(U) ' Army Foreign Liaison (Tours Section) on the other hand views Jim Dixon's
special group visit proposal with marked lack of enthusiasm, since their
policy is to limit a VIP visit invitation to one principal invitee, wife,
and two staff officers of the invitee's choice.
(C) DATT Madrid has also noted the following regarding General Vallespin:
"Feel USG should be extremely careful to avoid appearing
equate Chief, High General Staff, Spain to Chief, JCS,
USA. Vallespin's position in military hierarchy is below
that of Service Chiefs of Staff. Chief HGS does control
Spanish International Military Intelligence and does serve
as coordinator for multi-Service problems, but has no
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authority to direct any Service to do anything. Inflation
of importance of Chief, HGS, in foreign eyes was one of
factors used by Lt Gen Diez Alegria's opponents to cause
his removal. Believe U.S. should move extremely cautiously
not to give Vallespin appearance of a more important position
holder than he really is."
(C) Assuming that Army will not sponsor the special group tour he recom-
mended, Dixon believes that any "Vallespin visit should be pointed toward
international intelligence systems and orientation, U.S. strategic planning
and systems used by DoD to accomplish strategic studies., to include research
contracts with civilian study centers."
(C) Given the foregoing, we have placed the Vallespin matter on the back
burner for now, to avoid any "new initiatives" pending resolution of basing
negotiations, a topic which can conceivably cast a pall over U.S.-Spanish
relations for some time, or at least until improvement in the atmosphere
in Madrid. We have kept Jim Dixon informed, of course, to be fully aware
of the perspective from this end, and solicited his continuing comments and
recommendations in this proposal. Incidentally, he'll be staying for a
fifth year in Spain, at request of Ambassador Stabler, which we believe is
a wise move for all concerned. We all appreciate your interest
(U) I hope this sits well with you - we'll be in touch later on, hoping
for a more favorable outcome.
Sincerely,
Cl
W. D. CRITTENB GER., JR.
Major General, U. S.. Army
Deputy Direct r for Attaches
and Human esources
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