134. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to the Cabinet1
SUBJECT
- Energy Policy
Secretary Blumenthal has reported to the President that, in his conversations with Middle East leaders,2 it has become clear to him that the willingness of the oil exporting countries to cooperate with the U.S. in their oil pricing policies will depend to an important degree on their seeing evidence of our resolve to face up to this situation, specifically by putting in place adequate energy legislation.
The President asked me to report the above to you. He further asked that you make this point in your statements and speeches regarding our energy policy.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 8, Energy Department, 5/77–5/78. Secret.↩
- Blumenthal’s Middle East trip began on October 22 in Egypt and included visits to Kuwait, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. He met on October 27 with the Shah, who “volunteered that it had been decided that Iran should not take a strong position in OPEC at this time” because, as the Shah phrased it, “We don’t want to be known as hawks.” (Telegram 9505 from Tehran, October 27; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P850106–2279) In an October 28 meeting with Fahd, the Crown Prince confirmed that it was “Saudi policy to try to convince other OPEC members to freeze prices—say for another year.” (Telegram 1286 from Dhahran, October 30; ibid., P840081–1893) Blumenthal’s October 26 meeting with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah was reported in telegram 6086 from Kuwait, October 27. (Ibid., D770394–1088) His October 28 meeting with King Khalid was reported in telegram 1285 from Dhahran, October 29. (Ibid., D770399–0384)↩