Testimony in the Condor trial just starting in Argentina show that the United States played a major role in the “Dirty War” which lasted from 1976 – 1983.
Providing key organizational, financial and technical assistance to the operation, the US collaborated with DINA and other intelligence which formed the central workings of Operation Condor.
CIA documents indicate that the agency had a close relationship with the Chilean secret police and its chief, Manuel Contreras. Retained as a paid CIA informant until 1977, his connection with the Letelier-Moffit assassination was never revealed until now.
On October 5, 1976, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger met with Argentina's Foreign Minister and stated:
"Look, our basic attitude is that we would like you to succeed. I have an old-fashioned view that friends ought to be supported. What is not understood in the United States is that you have a civil war. We read about human rights problems but not the context. The quicker you succeed the better… The human rights problem is a growing one. Your Ambassador can apprise you. We want a stable situation. We won't cause you unnecessary difficulties. If you can finish before Congress gets back, the better. Whatever freedoms you could restore would help."
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