Foreign Relations of the United States 1977–1980; Volume XV; Central America, 1977–1980

195. Memorandum From Robert Pastor of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)¹

Washington, January 31, 1979

SUBJECT

• U.S. Policy to Nicaragua (S)

It was a mistake to forward tabs B through F to the President.² The fact that he spent so much time on the issues surrounding the Plebiscite suggests that he is not aware that the decisions that he has made in the Summary of Conclusions are based on the premise that the mediation effort is ended, or at least is in recess. His notes are on issues which are no longer relevant. You and David cleared off on a cable last Saturday which indicated that we rejected Somoza’s proposal, and we, as one of the three mediators, considered the mediation effort in recess.³ Bowdler has since gone to meet with his colleagues to gain agreement on the text of their response. (S)

The President’s notes suggest that he is still prepared to bargain, but the bargaining has ended. We cannot open it again. I really cannot understand the President’s notes. You probably want to check with him before sending the memorandum at Tab I.⁴ (S)

I do not know how to deal with the President’s notes. Obviously, we cannot suggest that the Secretary of State send a letter to Representative Murphy along the lines of Tab C (Tab II) since it runs contrary to many of the Presidents points.⁵ (S)

RECOMMENDATIONS

I recommend that we forward the President’s notes at Tab D (Tab II) to State and let them figure out how to respond to Murphy.

That you sign the memorandum at Tab I and forward it with the Summary of Conclusions at Tab A only.⁶

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 34, Nicaragua: 1/24–31/79. Secret.
2. Reference is to the tabs attached to Pastor’s January 26 memorandum to Brzezinski; see Document 194.
3. In a January 27 memorandum to Brzezinski, Pastor requested clearance of an attached draft telegram, which included the Negotiating Group’s reply to the January 17 PLN note. (See Document 191.) Pastor wrote: “The cable represents the last response by the three mediators to Somoza’s counter-proposal. Its main points are that ‛propitious conditions no longer exist’ for the mediation to continue because of the inflexibility of Somoza’s PLN negotiators. Therefore, the ‛mediation is recessed,’ and the mediators intend to submit a report to their governments which states this point. The report will then be presented to the OAS.” Aaron approved Pastor’s recommendation to clear the attached cable. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 56, Nicaragua: 12/78–6/79) For the final version of the telegram, see Document 196.
4. Not attached. In a February 1 memorandum to Vance, Harold Brown, Gilligan, Jones, and Turner, Brzezinski noted Carter’s approval of the Summary of Conclusions for the January 26 PRC meeting on Nicaragua (see Document 194) and repeated its main points. In a February 2 covering memorandum, Dodson noted that the documents were “to be held very closely.” (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00112R: Subject Files, Box 16, Folder 36: (SCC) Nicaragua) An unsigned memorandum to Carter dictated by Brzezinski on February 1 and seen the next day by Carter noted: “Following your decisions, I have informed Cy and Harold and the other PRC participants that we should take the steps recommended by the PRC to signal our displeasure with Somoza’s intransigence with the mediation effort and to get some distance between our governments. These steps include Milgroup withdrawal, withdrawal of the Peace Corps for security reasons, reducing our embassy personnel, etc. As regards the mediation efforts, Ambassador Bowdler is meeting with his colleagues and they plan to present a paper to Somoza, which will subsequently be published, indicating that because of Somoza’s inflexibility the mediation effort is in recess. The mediators will then present a report to the OAS.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 35, Nicaragua: 2/79)
5. Not attached. Reference is to the January 25 draft response; see footnotes 3 and 5 of Document 194.
6. There is no indication that Brzezinski approved or disapproved of either recommendation. Under an undated covering memorandum to Vance, Brzezinski sent copies of his February 1 memorandum regarding the January 26 PRC meeting on Nicaragua, the January 26 Summary of Conclusions of that meeting, and Carter’s comments on Pastor’s undated memorandum on the issues raised in Murphy’s January 22 letter. (Department of State, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Cyrus R. Vance, Secretary of State, 1977–1980, Lot 84D241, Nicaragua) The January 26 Summary of Conclusions and the undated Pastor memorandum are printed as Tabs A and D to Document 194. Department Spokesman Hodding Carter stated during a February 8 press briefing that the mediation process for Nicaragua was “suspended” and therefore the U.S. Government had “reassessed its relationship with Nicaragua” and would withdraw the military assistance group and terminate (the already suspended) military assistance program; cancel any new AID projects; withdraw the Peace Corps; and reduce the staffing of the Embassy in Nicaragua. (Department of State, Bulletin, May 1979, p. 66)