Office of the Historian

282. Memorandum for the Record1

NFAC–3713–79
Washington, July 16, 1979

SUBJECT

  • SCC Meeting on Nicaragua, 16 July 1979, White House Situation Room

PARTICIPANTS

  • Warren Christopher, Viron Vaky, John Bushnell, State Department; Zbigniew Brzezinski, White House; Frank Carlucci, [name not declassified] CIA; David Jones, John Pustay, JCS; Robert Pastor, NSC; Harold Brown, Gordon Schuller, Defense Department; John White, OMB

1. Ambassador Vaky said Somoza has agreed to resign and leave Nicaragua before dawn, 17 July. He wants to name Heberto Sanchez—a very corrupt retired Minister of Defense—to be new Guard commander. The provisional junta rejected this outright. Ambassador Pezzullo will tell Somoza today that the US prefers Col. Mojica. If Somoza insists on Sanchez, Pezzullo will express doubt that the junta will retain Sanchez, but that it is Somoza’s decision. Ambassador Bowdler will tell the junta that this is Somoza’s idea and it can be rectified once Somoza is gone.

2. Vaky said it appears that efforts to get Andean foreign ministers to Managua to observe and perhaps pacify the transition appear likely to fail. The Andeans are confused and unable to act quickly.

3. There was considerable discussion on relief and humanitarian assistance, the modalities in Nicaragua, and the US contribution. General Jones urged involving the Latin American militaries through Torrijos in a joint effort with the Nicaraguan military to implement longer term reconstruction. US concern that early relief flights be by chartered civilian aircraft—and not military airlift—will initially hold down the volume of aid.

4. Recognition of the new government was considered to be natural, but the recognition statement will make reference to the provisional government’s pledges. A statement may be issued tonight before Somoza’s departure, to avoid a beating in the press.2

[Page 695]

5. Following the meeting DDCI Carlucci, [name not declassified], Robert Pastor, and Vaky briefly discussed the possible role of covert action.

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00112R: Subject Files, Box 16, Folder 36: (SCC) Nicaragua. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted on July 16. [name not declassified] sent a copy of the memorandum to Turner under a July 16 covering memorandum, indicating that [name not declassified] had drafted the memorandum. For another account of the meeting see Document 283.↩
  2. See footnote 5, Document 283.↩