Office of the Historian

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

Washington, January 4, 1980

SUBJECT

  • Harold Brown’s China Trip

Harold Brown has sent in a message requesting further guidance on a few items.

—Do we plan to follow up on Harold’s suggestion of trying to arrange a trip to Beijing by the Pakistani Defense Minister during Harold’s stay there? He assumes we will not and agrees with that but wants to know for sure.2

[Page 1034]

—Harold points out that the Chinese will be extremely interested in what support [1 line not declassified] we are prepared to provide the Afghan insurgents. [3½ lines not declassified]3

—Harold suggests we brief selected Congressional Leaders on some of the key aspects of his visit and particularly the COCOM differential. He also suggests that we mention the OTH radar to Senator Glenn in “absolute confidence.” If you approve, we will coordinate an appropriate statement and approach to selected Congressional Leaders.4

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 6, Defense Department: 1/80. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action.↩
  2. Carter checked the option “Do not follow up” and initialed “J.”↩
  3. Carter checked the option “Approve; inform the Chinese” and initialed “J.”↩
  4. Carter checked the Approve option and initialed “J.”↩