247. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance and Secretary of Defense Brown 1
SUBJECT
- UK Request for Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Cease-Fire Airlift Assistance (C)
The President has directed that we respond positively to the request from the government of the United Kingdom to assist in the airlift of approximately 80 vehicles and 12 helicopters from the United Kingdom to Salisbury, on a reimbursable basis.2 (C)
The airlift should be done concurrently with the assumption of authority in Salisbury by the British Governor. U.S. aircraft should fly as directly as possible to and from Salisbury, and should avoid the use of landing facilities in the Republic of South Africa. (C)
In addition, the President has authorized the expansion of this participation in the cease-fire process to include the airlifting of a small contingent of Kenyan troops from Nairobi to Salisbury, to act as monitors.3 (C)
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 44, Rhodesia: 7–12/79. Confidential.↩
- In telegram 22785 from London, November 16, Brewster transmitted the British request. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840175–1603)↩
- In a November 19 memorandum for the files, Nick Spiliotes summarized the November 19 interagency meeting on the British request for assistance. In addition to the requested airlift assistance, the NSC suggested an airlift of 40–50 Kenyan troops. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 44, Rhodesia: 7–12/79)↩