Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
Body:
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7, 1976
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
The
National Intelligence
Dail
3.5(c)
Published by the Director of Central Intelligence for Named Principals Only
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 32
3.5(c) -013--SiEeFtela�
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
NR
Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044
MI�C�,..IVIG I
3.5(c)
4 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7, 1976
Military Moves
Closer to Coup
Against Peron
Recent events in Argentina suggest that
the military is getting in a position to take
over the government, but there is no firm
evidence that they have made a decision to
move yet. Reported discussions in the high
command no longer focus on whether a
coup is necessary or feasible, but on how
and when it should be undertaken.
Navy commander Admiral Massera
and army commander General Videla
reportedly are considering specific courses
of action to follow in the event of a coup.
Massera, who says it is a foregone con-
clusion that the armed forces will remove
Peron, has ordered naval intelligence to
prepare lists of prominent persons to be
arrested following a takeover. The list
would concentrate on prominent citizens
suspected of subversion or other illegal ac-
tivities.
Videla is said to have commented that
if there were a coup, the three service
chiefs would probably join in forming a
government. Videla also reportedly com-
mented that sympathetic civilian advisers
have provided plans for after a coup.
Several recent developments could help
pave the way for an armed forces move
against Peron. One is the appointment of
a general long a coup advocate as army
chief in Buenos Aires Province. Another
proponent of a military takeover has been
named head of the federal police, which
would have an important role to play in
countering reaction to a coup by militant
Peronist civilians.
Officers looking for a pretext to move
against Peron are obviously keeping an
eye on indications that workers, long one
of her mainstays, and businessmen are
growing more disenchanted with her ad-
ministration. The more eager military ad-
vocates of a coup may hope this trend
may produce the public repudiation of
Peron that some officers feel they need
before moving
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Approved for Release: 2018/10/02 CO2995044