Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume VI, Soviet Union

287. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (White)¹

Washington, July 3, 1980

SUBJECT

• CIA’s Soviet/East European Book and Publications Program (S)

I have reviewed your memorandum² on the chronology of OMB’s consideration of added funding for the Soviet/East European book program and am in sympathy with the points you raise. In considering all the factors, however, I believe that the importance to our national security interests of augmenting the program outweighs the potential risk in Congressional perceptions of the CIA Reserve for Contingencies. Therefore, I ask that you authorize the use of the Reserve for the remaining $550,000. Though, as you say in your memorandum, your accession is reluctant, I appreciate your support in this matter, which—as you know—I consider to be very urgently³ in the national interest.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Subject Chron File, Box 81, Cabinet Members, Misc. Communications with: 1980–1981. Secret; Sensitive.
2. See footnote 4, Document 284.
3. An unknown hand underlined “very urgently.”