Office of the Historian

199. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Aaron) to President Carter1

Washington, June 24, 1980

SUBJECT

  • Update on MX (U)

At my request, Harold Brown has sent you the attached memo2 providing 1) an update on the campaign to win improved support for the MX, and 2) a summary of the evolutions in the basing mode design since your decision last September. (U)

Harold’s memo seems guardedly optimistic concerning improved public acceptance. It also makes clear that winning acceptance for the MX program is going to require a long and arduous campaign. Two aspects of this campaign that you might also note are:

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Parallel DOD and White House coordinating groups have been set up to insure that the campaign benefits from all perspectives, and we all articulate the same policy.
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In view of the great skepticism being expressed about whether we can complete a competent EIS within this year, we are taking special steps to explain to the public how our EIS process is carrying out its work, and we are planning for a blue ribbon review of the EIS to help establish its credibility. (C)

You will note that Harold’s memo does not describe any plans he may have for visiting Nevada/Utah himself, although I have suggested to him that he do this. (U)

Finally, let me add a personal note. We have just been through two very close votes on MX at the Platform Committee. We need, within the party, to do some more missionary work on MX. I will be talking to Jack Watson, Anne Wexler and others about this. (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 43, Missiles: 4–9/80. Confidential. Sent for information. Carter wrote in the upper right corner of the memorandum: “cc Harold, Zbig—Lew Allen’s letter is excellent. Should be distributed to all members of Congress—& to key elements of press & others. J.”↩
  2. Not found attached. See Document 195.↩