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

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

Washington, July 1, 1980

SUBJECT

• Helicopters for El Salvador (S)

In the memorandum at Tab A, Ambassador White and Warren Christopher recommend a strategy for encouraging the Salvadoran government to improve its human rights performance. According to their strategy, with which I concur, we will begin training Salvadoran helicopter pilots, and inform the GOES that if certain steps are taken to reduce the excessive use of force by the military by the time the pilots complete their training, we will lease six helicopters on a no-cost basis. (S)

Warren also recommends that in view of Congressional sensitivities, we inform interested Congressmen of our plan. These notifications will be strictly limited to those who have a sincere interest in being helpful and will hold the information in strict confidence. (S)

RECOMMENDATION:

That you approve the strategy outlined by Christopher and Ambassador White for using helicopters to encourage the Government of El Salvador to undertake necessary steps to reduce the violence.² (S)

Tab A

Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to President Carter³

Washington, June 28, 1980

SUBJECT

• Helicopters for El Salvador

As you instructed,⁴ Ambassador White has developed a plan to use mobile training teams and helicopters as inducements to try to persuade the Salvadoran military to bring an end to right-wing violence and the excessive use of force by the armed forces.⁵ Specifically, Ambassador White has recommended that he be authorized to inform the El Salvador junta that:

—the United States is prepared to lease six U.S. Army UH–1H helicopters to El Salvador;

—this offer is made on the understanding that the military will take specific measures to reduce and effectively bring under control the violence participated in by elements of the military;

—as evidence of our good faith, the necessary training of Salvadoran pilots will begin (at schools in Panama or the U.S.) as promptly as students can be identified. The training will take approximately two months;

—provided the military take specific measures that effectively reduce indiscriminate violence for which they are responsible or with which they are associated during the next two months, the helicopters would be delivered as soon as the training is completed.

The Ambassador also recommends that a small survey team from SOUTHCOM be brought into El Salvador for a few days to assess the type, amount, and optimum location of helicopter training required, and that a three-man logistics and maintenance support team be assigned to the Military Group for approximately one year.

This approach is sensible. The military urgently need to control the violence and this gives us some leverage to induce them to act. We have available the necessary funding. Approximately $2.1 million in FMS credits and $200,000 in IMET grants, already allocated to El Salvador in the FY 80 and 81 budgets, will be required to support and maintain the helicopters. DOD also concurs with Ambassador White’s recommendation.

In view of Congressional sensitivity with respect to both the use of the leasing authority and our policy towards El Salvador, it will be important for the success of this action and of our pending aid legislation that we first advise concerned Members of Congress of our intentions. Subsequently, if we conclude that the human rights situation has improved sufficiently to warrant going ahead with the helicopters, we will inform you and then consult formally with Congress in advance, as we are committed to do.

Recommendation:

That we inform interested Congressmen of our plan, and then authorize Ambassador White to offer the helicopter leases and related training that he has recommended, on the understanding set forth above that the military in El Salvador take specific measures that effectively reduce institutional violence and result in discernible progress toward bringing it under control during the training period.⁶

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Freedom of Information/Legal, Kimmitt, Arms Transfers/Country File, Box 18, El Salvador, 4–12/80. Secret. Sent for action. Carter initialed the top of the page and wrote: “Zbig.”
2. The President neither approved or disapproved of this recommendation.
3. Secret; Sensitive. Christopher was Acting Secretary while Muskie met with ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Kuala Lumpur June 27–29.
4. Carter underlined the portion of this sentence beginning with the word “specific” and ending with “period” and wrote at the bottom of the page: “What kind of measures? By whom & how can they be quantified & assured?”
5. White sent his recommendations in telegram 4165 from San Salvador, June 16. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800293–0940)
6. See footnote 5, Document 428.