In the third of a three-part interview, Langhorne A. “Tony” Motley reflects on his tenures as United States Ambassador to Brazil (1981-1983) and as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (1983-1985). Motley was appointed ambassador by President Ronald Reagan after having been recommended by Alaskan Senators Frank Murkowski and Ted Stevens, both of whom were close friends. Having grown up in Brazil and being fluent in Portuguese, Motley enjoyed strong support from the Brazilian press. During the Brazilian debt crisis of the early 1980s, Motley helped the government secure a major loan from the US in exchange for Brazilian support during the international trade negotiations surrounding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). As Assistant Secretary of State, Motley was a central player in Reagan’s foreign policy, which had a strong emphasis on Latin American affairs. He reflects on his efforts to cultivate the Contra opposition to the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua and his efforts to destabilize the country’s economy. Motley also played a central role in planning the successful invasion of Grenada in 1983. Motley provides personal assessments of many of the political leaders with whom he interacted closely, including Ronald Reagan, Augusto Pinochet, Daniel Ortega, William Casey, and George H.W. Bush.
Color image of crowd of children looking up at something out of frame. Writing on back of image reads, "Crowds of children sense the power of God conveyed through Jesus' miracles."
One page poster printed by the Brazilian Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property that reads "YANKEES COME HERE ALL THE REPRESSIVE POWER, ALL THE INTELLIGENE AND ALL THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE REPRESSIVE APARATUS AN SET BACK BUT NOT WIPE OUT THE CLASS STRUGGLE WHICH HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM WHIC THIS APARATUS INTENDS TO PRESERVE." Illustration includes image of South America in the center of the poster with soldiers depicted within the borders that make up Brazil, an agricultural worker in the top left, an image of a favela in the bottom left, a family in the bottom center and a protester in the bottom right
Color image of people talking together, focusing on woman speaking to boy. Writing on back of image reads, "'Jesus' film follow up…sharing one on one."
Color image of a woman cutting food product into a bowl. Photograph shows some damage. Writing on back of image reads, "The joy of new life can be seen on the faces of thousands throughout Brazil."
