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  4. Document 316

316. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Tarnoff) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, November 2, 1977

SUBJECT

  • Tasking on South Africa: Withdrawal of Naval Attache and Recall of Commercial Officer

The State Department has, consistent with the NSC request of October 28, 1977,2 coordinated with the Department of Defense on the withdrawal of the Naval Attache from Pretoria. Orders for his withdrawal will be cabled to the Embassy immediately after the announcement of this action by Secretary Vance November 2.3 In consultation with Ambassador Bowdler we have determined that November 244 would be an acceptable date for his departure, given consideration for the packing of his household goods and other necessary personal arrangements.

Orders for the recall of the Commercial Officer from Johannesburg will also be sent November 2, after the announcement that he is being recalled for consultations.

Orders are being withheld until after the announcement because it would be inconvenient to transmit them in classified cables. We will, however, inform the Charge by a classified message that announcement of the withdrawal and recall will be made tomorrow.

Peter Tarnoff5
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Richardson, Chron File, Box 106, South Africa: 11/1–9/77. Secret.↩
  2. See Document 315.↩
  3. Vance announced the withdrawal of the Naval Attaché and the recall of the Commercial Officer in Johannesburg during a November 2 news conference at the Department of State. (Department of State Bulletin, November 21, 1977, p. 716)↩
  4. In a November 3 memorandum to Brzezinski, Richardson wrote: “After consultation with Bartholomew, I informed State and DOD that November 24 would be somewhat late for the departure of the Naval Attache from Pretoria, and that we would prefer that he depart no later than two weeks after the date of the announcement. This means that he is now scheduled to depart by November 16.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Richardson, Chron File, Box 106, 11/1–9/77)↩
  5. Frank Wisner signed for Peter Tarnoff about this typed signature.↩