U.S. Department of State to Embassy Santiago, «[Deleted] Reports on Death of Charles Horman,» May 14, 1987
In response to the embassy’s previous cable (Document 2), Michael Armacost, the under secretary of state for political affairs, questions the credibility of the informant who provided the account of Horman’s death.  Even if the new information proves to be accurate, Armacost sees no new prosecutorial advantage in the new information.  Nevertheless, the State Deparment maintains a «fundamental interest» in investigating the deaths of American citizens abroad and «would consider it a very serious matter if senior [Chilean government] officials had been aware of the circumstances of Horman’s death and attempted to conceal this information from the [U.S. government] and Horman’s family.»  Armacost directs that the informant be interviewed by State Department officials stationed in Uruguay to determine his credibility.

 

 

 

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U.S. Embassy Santiago, «[Deleted] Reports on GOC [Government of Chile] Involvement in Death of Charles Horman, Asks Embassy for Asylum and Aid,» April 28, 1987
Nearly fourteen years after the coup, an informant seeking political asylum at the U.S. Embassy in Chile offers an account of Horman’s death.  Horman was picked up in a routine sweep, the informant suggests, and was found in possession of «extremist» materials.  He was then taken the National Stadium where he was interrogated and later executed on the orders of Pedro Espinoza.  Embassy officials note that his story «corresponds with what we know about the case and the [Chilean government] attempt to cover up their involvement,» suggesting that the informant is probably telling the truth.

 

 

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