451. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Aaron) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
At the meeting with Muskie this morning,2 we discussed the presentation which Ambassador White would make to Duarte later today or tomorrow and the upcoming UN vote to condemn El Salvador for human rights violations—a resolution which calls for ending all military assistance to El Salvador. It is a Cuban-sponsored resolution with [Page 1159] clear propaganda objectives but made relevant by the outrage committed against the nuns.) (C)
On the first point, it was agreed, as per the SCC,3 that Bob would announce the resumption of economic assistance. As a practical matter, this will come in several steps so we can maintain some control over it anyway. On the military side, Ambassador White has argued strongly that to simply announce a resumption of military assistance and signing of the FMS Credit would undercut Duarte and give him no leverage with the military elements in the junta to fulfill their promises. The key point here is that the outcome of the negotiations between the Christian Democrats and the military is much more ambiguous than we had assumed it might be. As a result, we do not know whether the military will, in fact, meet the terms we established for the resumption of military assistance—namely, transferring some of the security forces out of the country and pursuing diligently the investigation of the murder of the nuns. (These are not just our demands—they are also the terms which the Christian Democrats sought as well. Nonetheless, the actions to implement this agreement in principle will not come for several days or even weeks.) (C)
As a result, it was concluded that Bob White would make clear our readiness to go forward with the military assistance programs as agreed by the SCC, but we will be looking for implementation of the agreement before our own implementation of this policy. (C)
Muskie feels strongly that, as our first official act following the murder of the nuns, we cannot vote against a resolution condemning the violence in El Salvador. He therefore has come out in favor of abstention with an explanation that we are keeping an open mind on the future of this new government. I argued strongly that this would send the wrong signal to the new government and undercut Duarte, but he was unmoved. (C)
If you feel this is a mistake as I do, you may wish to call him directly. (U)
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 21, El Salvador: 12/80–1/81. Confidential. A stamped notation reads: “DA has seen.” Brzezinski wrote at the top of the page: “Talked to P, will abstain, ZB.”↩
- For more information about the December 15 meeting, see Document 452.↩
- See Document 449.↩