URUGUAY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100160051-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 4, 2006
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: February 9, 1973
• Content Type: IM

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Approved For Release 2006/05/25 :CIA-RDP85T00875R001100160051-3
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61
OCI No. 1749/73
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
9 February 1973
Uruguay
(Situation Report Number 1 - As of 3:00 PM EST)
1. President Bordaberry's position in his confrontation
with 'the military has continued to deteriorate as the 'rebel-
lious generals have stiffened their resolve to force Bordaberry
to back down on the appointment of retired general Francese as
defense minister. As long as the military remain adamant,
Bordaberry's only way out would be to give in to the generals'
demand that he dismiss Francese. This would surely mark Borda-
berry as merely a puppet of the military, although he might
save some face by accepting the collective resignation of the
entire 11-member cabinet that was presented to'him this morning.
Contacts were made between the rebel generals and representatives
of the military this morning in an apparent attempt to find a
compromise solution.
2. The army has taken control of all radio and television
stations in the capital and is using them exclusively to broad-
cast military communiques. The "army and air force commands",
have again demanded that the President fire Defense Minister
Francese and have issued a call for their comrades -in the 'navy
to join them. As of 1300 hours, however, the navy. continued
its support of the President and had sealed off the port area.
3. Most civilian political sectors have expressed their
support for the President, but the Christian Democrats' news
paper--which usually speaks for the Frente Amplio, the principal
leftist coalition--has sided with .the military. The Communist-
controlled labor confederation has announced that it will declare
a general strike if the military seizes power.
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4. The army and air force have the power to overthrow
President Bordaberry, even if the navy continues to uupport
him. So far, however, the rebel leaders have focused only
on forcing the removal of the defense minister. Their apparent
willingness to negotiate earlier today indicates that they may
be willing to step back from the brink if Bordaberry, gives-in
to their demand. The armed forces do not appear to have a plan
to govern and might well accept some solution that gave the
military a direct voice in the, government but retained a civilian
at the top.
Approved F r Release - 100160051-3