Office of the Historian

314. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter1

Washington, December 19, 1980

SUBJECT

  • NSC Weekly Report #161

1. Fact

[Omitted here is the section entitled “Muskie-Brown-Brzezinski Meeting.”]

Soviet Invasion of Poland Postponed

[1½ lines not declassified] the invasion has been postponed for the “indefinite future.” The principal reason for the postponement, [less than 1 line not declassified], was the effectiveness of the Western counter propaganda campaign which convinced the Kremlin the West would retaliate “massively” with political and economic sanctions. Invasion forces, however, remain in a high state of readiness, and can move into Poland at any time. An invasion move would be made under the pretense of Warsaw Pact maneuvers.2

[Omitted here are the sections entitled “Exercise BRIGHT STAR” and “National Security Affairs Calendar.”]

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Subject Chron File, Box 127, Weekly National Security Report: 8–12/80. Secret. Carter wrote, “Zbig. J.” in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩
  2. In the margin next to this sentence, Carter wrote, “Sounds accurate.”↩