Nova série de arquivos digitalizados do Departamento de Estado no NARA, 1906-1910

 Grande notícia para todos aqueles que trabalham em pesquisas de arquivos sobre as relações exteriores dos EUA e do Brasil: os National Archives acabam de colocar toda uma nova série de arquivos do Departamento de Estado à disposição dos interessados nas relações exteriores dos EUA do início do século XX. O periodo 1906-1910 correspondeu justamento ao momento em que o Brasil fazia o seu esforço de “coffee valorization” (pós-Convênio de Taubaté) e chegou a ser processado por conduta anti-competitiva em tribunais de Nova York. Tratou-se, digamos assim, da entrada oficial do Brasil nas relações econômicas internacionais, mas sempre pelo nosso lado “gauche”, ou seja, protecionista, mercantilista, intervencionista nos mercados. 

Para os lexicógrafos, “valorization” é a primeira palavra “brasileira” a ingressar no vocabulário do Inglês, muitas décadas antes do famigerado “jeitinho” e da Bossa Nova. Que glória...

Aproveito para dizer que o Guia que organizei 20 anos atrás sobre os arquivos americanos voltados para a história do Brasil encontra-se ainda disponível na Biblioteca Digital da Funag, mas agora há que contar com esta significativa melhoria nas condições de acesso aos recursos do NARA (deve estar ocorrendo nos demais arquivos também). Vou fazer nova postagem sobre isso e preparar um novo capítulo sobre o NARA.

Mas o próprio NARA possui amplos recursos explicativos: 

“ Foreign Relations of the United States can assist with locating documentation of interest.  The file number of each source document is found in the printed document heading.  You can find the series online here.”

Paulo Roberto de Almeida 

Now Available Online: Department of State Central Files, 1906-1910 (The Numerical and Minor Files)

 Netisha

2 weeks ago

Today’s post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives in College Park, MD. 

A previous post introduced the National Archives program to digitize its microfilm publications beginning with those of the Department of State.  It discussed the digitization of the records that constitute the central files of the Department for the period from 1789 to 1906, when the Department adopted a new filing system.  Related records, not part of that project, already online cover the Department’s central files for the 1906-1910 period.

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw the advent of “scientific recordkeeping” in the United States.  U.S. government agencies moved from the traditional registry systems to more modern filing systems.  The Department of State was among the last of the cabinet agencies to do so.  The system in use beginning in 1789 presented many problems.  Not the least of them was that documents on a given topic were filed in numerous separate series.  Among other things, this meant that incoming communications were filed separately from their answers or from documents to which they referred.  Even more challenging was locating documents on a given topic when they originated from multiple diplomatic and consular posts overseas, multiple foreign diplomatic offices in the United States, and other government agencies.  Because of the filing system, those documents were widely scattered.

To rectify this situation, Secretary of State Elihu Root, who earlier oversaw modernization of War Department filing when he was Secretary of War, mandated the establishment of a new filing system for the Department of State.  The new system went into effect on August 15, 1906.  In that system, the different types of documents previously filed in separate series plus internal Departmental documentation were brought together in one or the other of two parts, the Numerical File or the Minor File.

• The Numerical File (known initially as the Major File) is the main file.  It contains the primary documents on all aspects of U.S. foreign policy and Department of State business.  The records are arranged in numbered subject case files.  There are over 25,000 numbered files.  There is no arrangement to the files; as each new case in the Numerical File was opened, it received the next number in sequence.  In some instances, there is more than one file on a given subject.  The documents within a file are arranged in rough chronological order.
• The Minor File contains records on matters that were considered routine.  The files are arranged in alphabetical order by name of the country for American diplomatic posts, the adjectival name of a country for foreign diplomatic posts in the U.S. (e.g. – “German embassy”), by name of city for American consular posts, and by name of correspondent for letters to and from other sources, including other government agencies.

The entirety of the Numerical and Minor Files is available on microfilm (M862, 1,241 rolls).  These records have been digitized and are now available through the National Archives Catalog.  Roll-by-roll listings with links to images are at:

• Numerical Files NAID 654171
• Minor Files NAID 656890

The Numerical and Minor Files were a major improvement in Department of State recordkeeping, but ultimately they did not meet its requirements.  The number of cases grew to an unmanageable level and it became clear that a more flexible filing system was necessary.  After a period of study, in August 1910, a new filing system, the Central Decimal File, went into operation.  That system, in one form or another, was in use through January 1963.  Generally, when the documentation on the subject of a Numerical File carried over into the new system, the last page of the file is a note indicating the file number under the new system.

File Numbers

As each subject case was opened, it was given the next number in sequence without regard to subject. For example, File 5275, dealing with political relations between the United States and Greece, is followed by File 5276, which deals with the American Consular Agency at Sunderland, England. In some cases there are multiple files on essentially the same subject; for example, records on political relations between the United States and Greece are in Files 5275, 13221, and 19189.

The first document in the file bears the case number without any other designation. Subsequent documents are given a unique enclosure number separated from the file number with the slash (/) mark. For example, the documents in File 5275 would appear in order as 5275, 5275/1, 5275/2, etc.

One problem researchers face with locating specific documents is that in most cases the file number does not appear on the face of the first page.  Rather, it appears on the back of the last page or wrapper of the document.  This can make it difficult to locate the file number and associate it with a specific document.

Finding Aids

The primary finding aid to the Numerical and Minor Files is the Card Index.  That index is arranged in one alphabetical run by individual name, the name of the city in which a U.S. consulate was located, the name of the country in which a U.S. diplomatic post was located, the adjectival name of a country for foreign diplomatic posts in the U.S. (e.g. – “Belgian legation”), or by subject, thereunder as “From” or “To” and thereunder chronologically.  In general, each index card includes the name of the sender or addressee, the date, a brief summary of the subject of the document, and an indication of the file location.  For documents in the Numerical File, the case and individual document numbers are given (e.g. 8643/3).  For documents in the Minor File, only the designation “Minor File” is provided.  

The Card Index is available on microfilm (M1889, 86 rolls) and online through the National Archives Catalog.  A roll-by-roll listing with links to images is in the catalog under NAID 656824.

Foreign Relations of the United States can assist with locating documentation of interest.  The file number of each source document is found in the printed document heading.  You can find the series online here.

More Information

You will find detailed supplemental information, including roll listings, in the descriptive pamphlet for each of the microfilm publications noted above.  You can view those pamphlets in the Microfilm Catalog (accessible through Research Our Records) or at the links below.  To find them in the Microfilm Catalog, search under the publication number.  Once you reach the entry for the publication of interest, click on “View Important Publication Details” in the upper-right-hand corner of the screen.

M862 – Numerical and Minor Files of the Department of State, 1906-1910Download

M1889 – CARD INDEX FOR THE NUMERICAL AND MINOR FILESDownload

Categories: Digital Projects, Finding Aids, Records Reference and Research, State and Foreign Affairs

A diplomacia americana e seu passado menos triste - William Burns

A MEMOIR OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND THE CASE FOR ITS RENEWAL

PREORDER THE BOOK

From America’s “secret diplomatic weapon” (The Atlantic)—a man who served five presidents and ten secretaries of state—comes an impassioned argument for the enduring value of diplomacy in an increasingly volatile world. AVAILABLE MARCH 12, 2019 Advance Praise “Bill Burns is simply one of the finest U.S. diplomats of the last half century. The Back Channel demonstrates his rare and precious combination of strategic insight and policy action.” —James A. Baker III “The Back Channel shows how diplomacy works, why it matters, and why its recent demise is so tragic.” —Walter Isaacson, author of Leonardo da Vinci “A smart, plainspoken account of America’s changing role in the world and the power and purpose of American diplomacy at its best.” —Hillary Clinton “The Back Channel is an incisive and sorely needed case for the revitalization of diplomacy.” —Henry Kissinger “The Back Channel is a masterfully written memoir from one of America’s most accomplished and respected diplomats.” —Madeleine K. Albright “The Back Channel brings all the behind-the-scenes efforts into the light, and brings readers into the room to share the journey of a talented, tough-minded diplomat.” —John Kerry “The Back Channel deserves to be widely read—it’s a great book filled with fascinating stories and the kind of wisdom that is sorely needed these days.” —George P. Shultz “The best diplomatic memoir of the post-Cold War period.” —John Lewis Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett Professor of Military and Naval History, Yale University “Burns’s compelling, fast-paced, and witty narrative is necessary reading for America’s next generation of diplomats.” —Condoleezza Rice PREORDER THE BOOK

Venezuela: sanções impostas pelos EUA contra dirigentes do regime bolivariano...

U.S. Department of State. September 25, 2018. The United States Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Individuals and Entities

Washington, DC - Today, the United States imposed sanctions on four current or former officials of the Government of Venezuela: First Lady and Former Attorney General Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, Executive Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Jesus Rodriguez Gomez, and Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

In addition, the United States has designated additional individuals and entities that are part of a network supporting Rafael Alfredo Sarria Diaz, a key front person for sanctioned Venezuelan President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly, Diosdado Cabello Rondon. The United States designated both Sarria Diaz and Cabello on May 18. The individuals sanctioned today that form part of the network associated with Rafael Alfredo Sarria Diaz are: Jose Omar Paredes and Edgar Alberto Sarria Diaz. The entities sanctioned for being owned or controlled by, or have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of Sarria Diaz are: Quiana Trading Limited and AVERUCA, C.A. In addition, the United States has sanctioned Panazeate SL for being owned or controlled by, or have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, Edgar Alberto Sarria Diaz.

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these individuals and entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated persons.

U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; they are intended to change behavior. The United States would consider lifting sanctions for persons sanctioned under E.O. 13692 that take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses and speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela.


Today’s action shows that the United States will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who are involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela as well as those who are enriching themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people. The United States will continue to use the full weight of American economic and diplomatic power to help create the conditions for the restoration of democracy for the Venezuelan people.

US TREASURY. September 25, 2018. Treasury Targets Venezuelan President Maduro’s Inner Circle and Proceeds of Corruption in the United States

Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four members of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s inner circle, including First Lady and former Attorney General and President of the National Assembly Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro.  OFAC also targeted a network supporting a key front man for designated President of Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly (ANC) Diosdado Cabello Rondon, and identified as blocked property a $20 million U.S.-based private jet as belonging to Cabello’s front man.

“President Maduro relies on his inner circle to maintain his grip on power, as his regime systematically plunders what remains of Venezuela’s wealth. We are continuing to designate loyalists who enable Maduro to solidify his hold on the military and the government while the Venezuelan people suffer,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin.  “Treasury will continue to impose a financial toll on those responsible for Venezuela’s tragic decline, and the networks and front-men they use to mask their illicit wealth.” 

VENEZUELA’S DECLINE

By the end of 2018, hyperinflation in Venezuela is projected to reach over one million percent.  Three million Venezuelans will have departed Venezuela for neighboring nations to escape widespread poverty and its attendant hardships.  The Maduro regime, meanwhile, continues to pursue failed policies and financing schemes to mask the regime’s corruption and gross mismanagement.  The United States has imposed sanctions on many who have profited during Venezuela’s decline — like former Executive Vice President Tarek El Aissami (El Aissami) and Cabello — as well as front-men like Rafael Sarria whose relative anonymity is used to the benefit of senior officials. 

The United States will continue to use every available diplomatic and economic tool to support the Venezuelan people’s efforts to restore their democracy.  U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; they are intended to change behavior.  The United States has made it clear that we will consider lifting sanctions for persons designated under E.O. 13692 who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela.

MADURO’S INNER CIRCLE

OFAC designated Nicolas Maduro on July 31, 2017.  Today’s designations target key current or former officials of the Venezuelan government.  Maduro has relied on key figures, such as previously designated Cabello and El Aissami, and those officials being designated today, to maintain his grip on power.  Maduro has also installed another member of his inner circle and lifelong member of the Venezuelan military, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, to help ensure the military’s loyalty to the Maduro regime.  Finally, Maduro has given Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez and Jorge Jesus Rodriguez Gomez senior positions within the Venezuelan government to help him maintain power and solidify his authoritarian rule.

• Cilia Adela Flores De Maduro (Flores) is the wife of President Nicolas Maduro.  She resigned from her position as a National Assembly Deputy in mid-2017 to run as a candidate for the ANC.  Prior to this resignation, Flores was a principal for the Cojedes State in the Venezuelan National Assembly.  In February 2017, Flores was a member of the Presidential Commission responsible for the formation and operation of the ANC process.  From August 15, 2005 through January 5, 2011, Flores was the President of the Legislative Power (National Assembly).  In February 2012, now-deceased former President, Hugo Chavez, appointed Flores as the Attorney General of Venezuela. 
• Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez (Delcy Rodriguez) was delegated the role and authorities of the Executive Vice President of Venezuela on June 14, 2018.  On August 4, 2017, Delcy Rodriguez was elected president of the new ANC, a position now held by Cabello.  In December 2014, Delcy Rodriguez was named the Minister of Popular Power for External Relations.
• Jorge Jesus Rodriguez Gomez (Jorge Rodriguez) was appointed to the position of Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information in late 2017.  On November 23, 2008, Jorge Rodriguez was elected Mayor of Caracas, Libertador District, and held the position until he was appointed to the aforementioned Minister position.  On January 8, 2007, Jorge Rodriguez was sworn in as the Vice President of Venezuela.
• Vladimir Padrino Lopez (Padrino) was appointed the Sectoral Vice President of Political Sovereignty, Security, and Peace (Venezuelan Defense Minister) in June 2018.  He previously held a multitude of military posts, including Second Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Bolivarian and Joint Chief of Staff of the Central Integral Defense Strategic Region.

RAFAEL ALFREDO SARRIA DIAZ’S FRONT NETWORK

OFAC designated Rafael Sarria on May 18, 2018 for acting for or on behalf of Cabello as his front person and maintaining an illicit business relationship with Cabello since at least 2010.  During this time, Rafael Sarria owned several real estate properties in Florida that were registered under his name, but in reality he acted as the named representative for Cabello on these properties.  As of 2018, Rafael Sarria continues to advise and assist Cabello, profiting from the investment of Cabello’s corruptly obtained wealth. 

Today, OFAC identified a Gulfstream 200 private jet, tail number N488RC, located in Florida, as blocked property.  Rafael Sarria originally purchased the plane, but his beneficial ownership had been obfuscated through the following companies that act for or on his behalf:

• Agencia Vehiculos Especiales Rurales y Urbanos, C.A. (AVERUCA, C.A.): AVERUCA, C.A. is a Venezuelan company that currently operates the aforementioned aircraft, and for which Rafael Sarria is identified as the President.  As the President of AVERUCA, C.A., Rafael Sarria purchased the aircraft in 2008 for an approximate price of $20 million. 
• Jose Omar Paredes (Paredes):  Paredes is identified as the Chief Pilot of AVERUCA, C.A., and given this role, he is responsible for the operational control of the aircraft.
• Quiana Trading Limited (Quiana Trading):  Quiana Trading is a British Virgin Islands company for which Rafael Sarria, at the time of registration in 2009, was the President and sole shareholder.  Quiana Trading is the beneficial owner of the aforementioned aircraft through a trust agreement.
• Edgar Alberto Sarria Diaz (Edgar Sarria):  Edgar Sarria is identified as a Director of Quiana Trading.  Additionally, Edgar Sarria is the Chief Executive Officer and sole shareholder of Panazeate SL.
• Panazeate SL:  Panazeate SL is a company based in Valencia, Spain, which is owned or controlled by Edgar Sarria.

As a result of this action, all property and interests in property of those designated today subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

FULL DOCUMENT: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm495

U.S. Department of State. September 25, 2018. United States Continues To Assist Venezuelans in Need

Washington, DC - Vice President Mike Pence announced today at the 73rd regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, NY, more than $48 million in additional humanitarian U.S. assistance for Venezuelans affected by the man-made crisis in Venezuela.

This funding will help provide affected Venezuelans with emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene supplies, shelter, protection from violence and exploitation, and work and education opportunities, in coordination with other NGOs and government partners. This funding includes contributions to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Venezuelans throughout the region. This funding also supports the UN World Food Program’s emergency response efforts to help feed Venezuelans in Colombia as well as those who have recently arrived in Ecuador. It also supports non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are delivering humanitarian aid to Venezuelans and hosting communities in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other countries throughout the region.

This additional $48 million brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for vulnerable Venezuelans and for the neighboring communities hosting those who have fled to more than $95 million since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017. This $95 million total in humanitarian assistance is complemented by $23.5 million in economic support and development assistance dedicated to Colombia to help boost its capacity to absorb incoming Venezuelans.

The United States remains concerned about the struggle Venezuelan citizens face every day to meet their families’ basic needs amid the chaos and repression unleashed by the Maduro regime, and urges increased support for the well-being of the Venezuelan people and the restoration of their democracy. Further, the United States calls on the Maduro regime to immediately allow international aid, including food and medicine, to reach Venezuela at a sufficient scale to meet growing humanitarian needs.

The United States greatly appreciates the generosity and compassion of countries throughout the hemisphere who are hosting hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the crisis in their country. The United States commends the humanitarian contributions made by all donors, and encourages them to make additional funding available to meet the growing crisis.

CIA: documento liberado revela que ditadura militar ordenou execucoes sumarias de opositores

Quem redigiu o documento, ou seja, o agente da CIA, Philips, que recolheu o relato, absolutamente verdadeiro, de um dos participantes da reunião citada, hoje falecido, veio a ser sogro de um diplomata brasileiro, também já falecido,assim como sua esposa, filha do citado agente.
Eu poderia apostar quem fez o relato ao americano, mas prefiro não fazê-lo.
Quem liberou o documento foi o Office of the Historian, ou seja, o historiador oficial do Departamento de Estado, um cargo que deveria existir no Itamaraty, igualmente, mas que não se cogita criar. Essa série, US Foreign Relations, é uma das melhores coisas que existem na democracia americana, por vezes revelando coisas altamente sensíveis do ponto de vista da diplomacia americana e da atuação de seus "órgãos especiais".
O documento foi revelado em primeira mão para o Brasil pelo historiador Matias Spektor, da FGV-SP, a quem aproveito para saudar pelo seu excelente ativismo na prospecção de documentos históricos desse tipo.
Paulo Roberto de Almeida

FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1969–1976, VOLUME E–11, PART 2, DOCUMENTS ON SOUTH AMERICA, 1973–1976

99. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Colby to Secretary of State Kissinger ¹

Washington, April 11, 1974.

SUBJECT

·         Decision by Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel To Continue the Summary Execution of Dangerous Subversives Under Certain Conditions

1. [1 paragraph (7 lines) not declassified]

2. On 30 March 1974, Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel met with General Milton Tavares de Souza (called General Milton) and General Confucio Danton de Paula Avelino, respectively the outgoing and incoming chiefs of the Army Intelligence Center (CIE). Also present was General Joao Baptista Figueiredo, Chief of the Brazilian National Intelligence Service (SNI).

3. General Milton, who did most of the talking, outlined the work of the CIE against the internal subversive target during the administration of former President Emilio Garrastazu Médici. He emphasized that Brazil cannot ignore the subversive and terrorist threat, and he said that extra-legal methods should continue to be employed against dangerous subversives. In this regard, General Milton said that about 104 persons in this category had been summarily executed by the CIE during the past year or so. Figueiredo supported this policy and urged its continuance.

4. The President, who commented on the seriousness and potentially prejudicial aspects of this policy, said that he wanted to ponder the matter during the weekend before arriving at any decision on [Page 279]whether it should continue. On 1 April, President Geisel told General Figueiredo that the policy should continue, but that great care should be taken to make certain that only dangerous subversives were executed. The President and General Figueiredo agreed that when the CIE apprehends a person who might fall into this category, the CIE chief will consult with General Figueiredo, whose approval must be given before the person is executed. The President and General Figueiredo also agreed that the CIE is to devote almost its entire effort to internal subversion, and that the overall CIE effort is to be coordinated by General Figueiredo.

5. [1 paragraph (12½ lines) not declassified]

6. A copy of this memorandum is being made available to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs. [1½ lines not declassified] No further distribution is being made.

W.E. Colby

1.  Summary: Colby reported that President Geisel planned to continue Médici’s policy of using extra legal means against subversives but would limit executions to the most dangerous subversives and terrorists.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01048A: Subject Files, Box 1, Folder 29: B–10: Brazil. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. According to a stamped notation, David H. Blee signed for Colby. Drafted by Phillips, [names not declassified] on April 9. The line for the concurrence of the Deputy Director for Operations is blank.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76ve11p2/d99

1.    Home 

2.     Historical Documents 

3.     Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976 

4.    Document 99

============

Addendum, em 16/05/2018: 

Geisel quis controlar repressão, dizem EUA

Em 1976, embaixada americana diz que presidente buscou estabelecer limites sobre órgão do Exército

FSP, 16.mai.2018

Um telegrama norte-americano reforça trecho do memorando da CIA de 1974 no qual o então diretor da agência, William Colby, disse que o general e então presidente Ernesto Geisel (1974-1979) buscaria ter o controle sobre o principal órgão de repressão do Exército, o CIE (Centro de Informações do Exército).

O telegrama, enviado ao Departamento de Estado em 1976, integra o mesmo lote de documentos liberados pelo governo dos EUA em dezembro de 2015 no qual o professor da FGV e colunista da Folha Matias Spektor localizou o memorando que informava que Geisel avalizou assassinatos de adversários do governo.

Assinado pelo então embaixador dos EUA em Brasília, John Crimmins, o telegrama diz que o novo chefe do CIE, general Antonio da Silva Campos, “está no cargo há menos de um ano e parece ser a escolha do presidente Geisel para apertar o controle sobre a agência-chave de segurança no Brasil que atuou no passado com considerável autonomia e foi associada a algumas violações de direitos humanos”.

Diz ainda que, apesar da “determinação de Geisel de encerrar os maus-tratos, [o CIE] ainda não perdeu, aos olhos do público, sua associação com os antigos abusos aos direitos humanos”.

O telegrama discutia a possibilidade de o governo norte-americano convidar Campos para uma visita secreta aos EUA. 

O embaixador disse aos seus superiores que não estava muito confortável para fazer o convite porque o Brasil participava naquele momento da “Operação Condor”, uma associação entre ditaduras latino-americanas para localizar e matar opositores fora de seus países e na Europa. 

Segundo o embaixador, a visita do chefe do CIE poderia ser interpretada por países-membros da Condor como um aval dos EUA à operação.

O telegrama corrobora o entendimento de parte de historiadores e jornalistas que pesquisaram o período segundo os quais Geisel trabalhou para a abertura do regime militar, mas ao mesmo tempo tinha conhecimento de assassinatos extrajudiciais e manteve a repressão, agora sob controle mais estrito do Palácio do Planalto.

Em outro documento que integra o mesmo lote de papéis liberados em 2015 há mais um memorando produzido pela CIA que novamente indica uma proximidade com figuras-chave do governo, os generais João Baptista Figueiredo, então chefe do SNI (Serviço Nacional de Informações), e Golbery do Couto e Silva, então chefe do gabinete civil de Geisel.

O documento não aponta a fonte da informação, mas sugere que podem ter sido os próprios generais. “Eles [Figueiredo e Golbery] expressaram o seguinte: que a política de ‘descompressão’ (permitindo uma atividade política mais ampla) é um objetivo do governo e está próxima. Ela será cautelosa e medida. A oposição e outros [atores] terão que se comportar de maneira responsável.”

O papel foi assinado pelo general Vernon Walters (1917-2002), então vice-diretor da CIA, que tinha contatos estreitos com os principais militares brasileiros e foi um ativo conspirador no golpe de 1964 no Brasil, onde trabalhara como adido militar da embaixada norte-americana. 

O telegrama de Walters é de 25 de julho de 1974, três meses depois do memorando da CIA revelado na semana passada, no que o então diretor da agência, William Colby, informou ao secretário de Estado Henry Kissinger os detalhes de uma reunião que envolveu Geisel e Figueiredo.

O documento assinado por Walters mostra que a CIA continuou tendo acesso a dados da alta cúpula da inteligência militar da ditadura. O militar aparenta ter discutido com Figueiredo e Golbery tema econômico de interesse imediato dos americanos, a exploração de petróleo.

“O Brasil percebeu que o monopólio da exploração do petróleo pela Petrobras não vai gerar novos campos.

Em cerca de um ano eles vão alterar a legislação em vigor de forma a permitir que os EUA e a Europa ocidental participem, pois só eles têm a tecnologia necessária. Essa é uma ruptura com um duradouro mito nacionalista e levará um ano para que jovens oficiais e outros sejam educados a fim de aceitar a necessidade fundamental de permitir a participação estrangeira na prospecção de petróleo. Este é um passo muito expressivo”, escreveu Walters.