Approved for Release 2018 09 17 C02995045 -Jon Secret EO 13526 3 3 p 1 25Yrs EO 13526 3 5 c NR National Intelligence Bulletin ----- _ --·----·-· 3 5 c February 7 1976 N 678 Approved for Release 2018 09 17 C02995045 3 5 c 3 5 c Approved for Releas - 0-9 -17_C_0_2995045 3 5 C L__ ___ _ National lntellligence Bulletin 1 ebruary 7 1976 CONTE1VTS NR ARGENTINA Military preoccupied with coup prospects 15 NR yap Nrt 1tE1 I I 3 5 c Approved for Release 2018 09 17 C02995045 3 3 b 1 3 3 b 1 I ' C C Approved for Release 2018 09 17 C02995045 --- National Intelligence Bulle•tin February 7 1976 ARGENTINA 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 iin the high command no longer focus on whether a coup is necessary or feasible but on how and when it should be undertaken Two key personnel shifts will facilitate the execution of a coup General Suarez Mason long considered a coup advocate has been appointed army chief in Buenos Aires His immediate predecessors were only lukewarm to the idea of a take-over Another reputed proponent of a military take-over General Harguindeguy has been named head of the Federal Police which patrols the borders and has important responsibilities in combating terrorists The police could also be a vital element in countering reaction by militant Peronist civilians after a coup navy commander Admiral Massera has said '----- ---- that the recent positioning of ships far up the Parana River is intended not only to support the counterinsurgency effort but is also designed to seal off potential escape routes of those who would try to flee after a coup I -- -- -- IMassera claims it is a foregone conclusion among the armed forces that they w 1 11-a t-some point remove the present govern1ment I I Massera and army commander in chief General Videla are giving some thought to specific courses of action to follow in the event of a coupj I to prepare lists of prominent persons to be arrested following a take-over The purpose of the arrests which would concentrate on prominent citizens suspected of subversion or other illegal activities would be to build public sympathy for the revolt Videla is said to have commented that if there were a coup the three service chiefs would probably form a governing junta The junta might designate a fourth officer as virtual prime minister or give primary responsibility to one of its own members Videla said further that sympathetic civilian advisers have provided the military with a library of plans on how to proceed after a coup although the officers have made no specific decisions Officers looking for a pretext to move against Peron may be heartened by growing indications that labor long one of her mainstays as well as the business sector are becoming increasingly restive Continuation of this trend would in these officers' eyes bring public repudiation of the President to the point they consider necessary before moving I I 15 3 5 c Approved for Release 2018 09 17 C02995045 3 3 b 1 3 5 c