Korry, Edward M.

(1922–2003)

   United States ambassador to Chile from 1967 to 1971. Korry was falsely implicated in the covert plan to prevent the establishment of the leftist-oriented Unidad Popular (UP, Popular Unity) government in Chile or to ruin the government if elected. The plan was formed by a secret group of White House officials in the administration of Richard Nixon, a group known as the “Committee of Forty,” chaired by Henry Kissinger, chair of the National Security Council. Although Korry protested the accusation that he was involved in undermining the UP government of President Salvador Allende Gossens, it was not until the discovery of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents that the ambassador’s claims were substantiated. The documents revealed that despite Korry’s direct involvement in anti–Allende Gossens activities such as funding media propaganda and channeling funds to opposition parties, he did not participate in activities leading to the military takeover of 11 September 1973. He did, however, keep U.S. officials informed of the situation in Chile through a series of memos dubbed “korrygrams.” In September 1971 Korry was replaced as ambassador by Nathaniel Davis. Edward M. Korry died on 29 January 2003.