283. Memorandum From Clinton E. Granger of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger1 2
SUBJECT:
- Map Level for Zaire
Following submission of our recommendations for FY ’76 budget revisions to accommodate necessary changes in the map programs, I was contacted by Ambassador Sheldon Vance. Ambassador Vance had returned from Zaire with a shopping list for military equipment, which he discussed with DOD. The Ambassador feels strongly that there is an urgent requirement for at least $19 million in total map grant for Zaire in support of on-going programs that you are aware of. This is only an approximation, but is the best estimate available.
The level currently recommended for Zaire is $9.5 million. However, now that more accurate data is available it would appear that the Zaire budget amendment should be included with those submitted to you earlier for consideration.
There are two decisions needed:
—The level which we should seek for Zaire, and
—The manner in which the funds would be requested (by request in the basic bill, or later by supplemental).
The operational aspects of the Zaire requirement appear to dictate acceptance of the higher, $19 million level, as recommended by Ambassador Vance to insure full support from Mobutu. Hal Horan supports this view. Ambassador Vance has talked to George Vest, and Vest has made such a recommendation to you at State.
[Page 2]The advantage of raising the level of the Zaire program to support the operational requirement is strong, but must be weighed against the facts that this will again increase the overall map grant levels in the face of an unsympathetic Congress, will raise the question of the $40 million ceiling for Africa, and that without consultations on the Hill, the chances of success in maintaining the $19 million level may be slim—especially since our last Ambassador’s forced departure from Zaire has aroused some Congressional concern about all of our programs in Zaire.
If a decision is made to seek the total of $19 million we can either increase the levels in the basic bill, or we can seek a supplemental later. The advantage of placing the full $19 million in the initial bill is that it may be less conspicuous as a part of the total. However, it may also be cut back when the totals are reduced, or remain at the expense of other programs. If the additional $9.5 million over the past level (bringing the total request for FY ’76 to $19 million) is submitted in a supplemental, the isolation of the request will focus interest and questions on our rationale. Consultations may simplify the passage of the isolated supplemental, and this course would protect the additional funds in the budget-cutting that we expect for the bill as a whole.
I support the overall requirement for $19 million, as being necessary to the operational requirement, and recommend that, to preclude unnecessary interest by making a separate request, the funds be included in the initial bill.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the map grant level for Zaire be $19 million.
APPROVE [HK]
DISAPPROVE
That the full $19 million be sought in the normal foreign assistance act submission.
APPROVE [HK]
DISAPPROVE
- Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa 1975–77, Box 7, Zaire (1). Confidential. Sent for action. The handwritten initials “RCM” (probably Rogers Morton) initialed for Granger. Brent Scowcroft initialed approval of both recommendations for Kissinger ↩
- Granger presented Kissinger with two recommendations concerning increased military assistance levels for Zaire. Deputy National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft approved both recommendations.↩