357. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to South Africa.]
South Africa. David Newsom summoned the South African Charge today and gave him the message that the South African defense and air attaches in Washington must leave the country within a week, the same period allowed our personnel there. We announced this decision at the noon press briefing today, avoiding any characterization of the action. The South African diplomat interpreted the decision as retaliatory and later telephoned to say Pik Botha had instructed him to protest in the strongest terms.2
[Omitted here is material unrelated to South Africa.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 29, Implementation of Presidential Instructions: 9–10/79. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum and wrote at the top of the first page: “Cy.”↩
- Carter wrote “good” in the left-hand margin next to this paragraph.↩