Office of the Historian

253. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1

Washington, February 8, 1980

SUBJECT

  • Diplomatic Relations with Zimbabwe

Assuming that the transition to genuine majority rule is accomplished through free and fair elections, we will want to establish diplomatic relations with the independent state of Zimbabwe as soon as practicable, and to open an embassy there. The establishment of an eight man mission, which we believe would be an appropriate size in Salisbury is expected to cost approximately $1,478,000 in FY–80 and would require no further appropriated funds.

It would be helpful to have your approval in advance so that planning may begin.2

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 44, Rhodesia: 1980. Confidential.↩
  2. Carter checked the approve option.↩