The National Security Archive released a declassified White House Transcript last week that revealed former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger supported Argentina’s military regime after its successful 1976 coup.

"I do want to encourage them. I don’t want to give the sense that they’re harassed by the United States," said Kissinger, even after staff aides warned of the likelihood of murder and repression.

The dictatorship in Argentina ruled from 1976-83.Under orders from the it Argentina's military waged a "Dirty War" against its population where torture, assassinations, and disappearances were used as tools of repression and control. Execution techniques included throwing drugged, naked prisoners from planes into the ocean. As many as 30,000 Argentines remain missing.

"Whatever chance they have, they will need a little encouragement from us," said Kissinger after the coup.