DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND GUERRILLAS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00687R000200450005-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2008
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: June 27, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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STAT
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
.WASHINGTON. D.C. 20301
L .
14 JUN 1984
MEMORANDUM. FOR ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY AFFAIRS
Attached for your information is the Chief of Staff,
USAF, General Charles"A. Gabriel's report of his trip to
Peru, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras and El Salvador,
on May 6-18, 1984.
Attachm OSD review completed
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It JUN 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: Latin American Visit (U)
(U) This memorandum is a summary of key issues and conclusions from my
visit to Peru, Argentina,. Chile, Ecuador, Honduras and El Salvador, May
6-18, 1984. The trip was made in conjunction with the Twenty-Fourth
Conference of the Chiefs of the American Air Forces (CONJEFAMER XXIV)
held in Quito, Ecuador.
PERU: (C) The Peruvian Air Force is operating aircraft from nine different
countries of origin, with the majority of their combat equipment being
Soviet. The Peruvians have developed an impressive aircraft maintenance
capability which now permits them to perform major overhauls on virtually
all their aircraft, including those'from the USSR. The senior Peruvian
Air Force leaders are very eager to maintain and enhance contacts with
the United States. However, if weever intend to decrease their dependence
on the Soviet Union, we will have to develop a better, more realistic v
plan than our efforts to date. -Also, both American and Peruvian officials
voiced concern over the growing terrorist (Sendero Luminoso) situation
and its possible linkage to drug traffickers. This latter point came up
in my discussions with each and every one of my Latin American counterparts.
There is considerable interest in improving air defense detection capabilities
democratic government and is striving to develop a harmonious and workable
relationship with the newly created Ministry of Defense which has virtually
no experience in conducting defense matters. I met with Minister Borras
and the Argentine equivalent of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army,
General Fernandez Torres. I also spent considerable time with the Under
Secretary of Defense, Doctor Jaunarena and we had very positive discussions
on the civilian-military relationship.
(S) The Argentine Air Force is very proud of its performance during the
South Atlantic Conflict of 1982. There is still considerable resentment
among the young pilots towards the United States because of the support,
most notable the AIM-9L missiles, which we provided the British. While
I was repeatedly assured that Argentina had no hostile intentions toward
the UK forces on the Falkland/Malvinas Islands, the Argentine Air Force
needs to acquire replacement aircraft for their current inventory of old
aircraft. The Argentines are now developing what appears to be a politically,
as well as in exchanging intelligence information on drug traffickers.
ARGENTINA: (S) The Argentine Air Force is clearly supportive of the new
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economically and militarily feasible plan for the phas ed'acquisition of
spare parts (to maintain what they now have) and A-4M aircraft (to replace
older aircraft which they would dispose of).. The Argentines fully understand
that this or any other defense expenditure must have the approval of the
Ministry of Defense before the US` can act on it.
CHILE: (C) The Chilean Air Force is most professional and very well led.
It is developing its own aeronautical industry, currently producing a basic
trainer aircraft (PILLAN) with the Piper Company and assembling a jet
trainer in conjunction with Spain (CASA-101). However, the Chileans face
serious problems in the area. of spare parts and safety related items, such
as ejection seat cartridges, for US. manufactured aircraft. A concerted
effort should be undertaken to make life support/safety of flight items
available to Chile in the immediate future. They offered to discuss our
use of Easter Island if-it would be of benefit to the United States.
ECUADOR: (C) The Ecuadoran Air Force did an excellent job of organizing
and conducting CONJEFAMER XXIV. This annual meeting afforded all
hemispheric air force leaders the opportunity to get to know each other
better while seeking solutions to'commoin professional problems such as
search and rescue, accident prevention, ' telecommunicati ons, etc. Nicaragua
attended the conference but did not take an active role in any of the
formal discussions. Informally, I was able to detect considerable resentment
toward the Sandinistas, especially in light of the recent shooting down of
the Honduran helicopter.
HONDURAS: (C) During an hour-long meeting with President Suazo, he
expressed concern about the rising US interest rates and their impact on
the smaller countries. He was also very concerned about Nicaragua,
especially that country's forthcoming elections; he believes the results E
might give credibility to the Marxist regime. While he has a deep respect
for President Reagan, he expressed concern over US resolve in the region.
EL SALVADOR: (C) A feeling of cautious optimism seemed to prevail following
the 6 May presidential elections. We need to project a more positive
image of what is happening in El Salvador and the progress that is taking
place there.
E$ A. GABRIEL/Xeneral, USAF
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