Document #32: State Department Telegram to Ambassador Lincoln Gordon (1964)

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Lincoln Gordon

Telegram No. 1:

OUTGOING TELEGRAM DEPARTMENT OF STATE

ACTION: AMEMBASSY RIO DE JANEIRO        FLASH 1301              MAR 31 2:29 PM ‘64

NO DISTRIBUTION

FOR AMBASSADOR GORDON

            For your personal information only, the following decisions have been taken in order [to] be in a position to render assistance at appropriate time to anti-Goulart forces if it is decided this should be done.

  1. Dispatch of US Navy tankers bearing POL [petroleum, oil, lubricants] from Aruba, first tanker expected off Santos between April 8 and 13; follow three tankers at one day intervals.
  2. Immediate dispatch of naval task force for overt exercises off Brazil. Force to consist of aircraft carrier (expected arrive in area by April 10), four destroyers, two destroyer escorts, task force tankers (all expected arrive about four days later).
  3. Assemble shipment of about 11 tons ammunition, other light equipment including tear gas for mob control for air lift to Sao Paulo (Campinas). Lift would be made with 24 to 36 hours upon issuance final orders and would involve 10 cargo planes, 6 tankers, and 6 fighters.

Unloading of POL by US Navy tankers (item 1) and dispatch of airlift (item 3) would require further development politico-military situation to point where some group having reasonable claim to legitimacy could formally request recognition and aid from us and if possible from other American Republics. Dispatch of tankers from Aruba and of naval task force does not immediately involve us in Brazilian situation and is regarded by us as normal naval exercise.

END

RUSK

 

Telegram No. 2:

OUTGOING TELEGRAM DEPARTMENT OF STATE

ACTION: Amembassy RIO DE JANEIRO  1305 FLASH     MAR 31 7:53 PM ‘64

Info:    DEFENSE FOR McNAMARA AND TAYLOR

CIA FOR McCONE

NODIS  FOR AMBASSADOR GORDON

Following corrections should be made in Deptel 1301:

1)    Para one should read: “Dispatch of U.S. Navy tankers bearing POL from Aruba, first tanker expected off Santos April 13; following three tankers at one day intervals.”

2)    Second sentence in para two should read: “Forces to consist of aircraft carrier and two guided missile destroyers (expected arrive in area by April 10), four destroyers, task force tankers (all expected arrive about four days later).”

3)    Strike words “tear gas” in first sentence of para three, and insert “CS agent”.

4)    Reference to “10 cargo planes” in second sentence of para three should be “six cargo planes”.

RUSK