Office of the Historian

208. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1

Washington, February 15, 1980

1. Support for Tunisia—I reviewed with Tunisian Ambassador Hedda this afternoon the steps we are taking to respond to Tunisia’s request for US support following the Gafsa attack.2 These include a public statement of support Don McHenry will make during his visit [Page 501] to Tunis February 21,3 a Congressional Delegation to Tunisia headed by Clem Zablocki during Easter recess,4 and a military technical team visit in the near future to look at Tunisia’s long-term needs, in addition to the armored personnel carriers and helicopters already agreed upon. Also, at Hedda’s request, we are taking up with the Congress the idea of a joint resolution supporting Tunisia. Hedda seemed to appreciate these efforts.

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Tunisia.]

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 22, Evening Reports (State): 2/80. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum.↩
  2. In telegram 42828 to Tunis and Beirut, February 16, the Department reported on Vance’s February 15 meeting with Hedda. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800083–1016)↩
  3. In telegram 1527 from Tunis, February 21, the Embassy transmitted the text of McHenry’s public statement of support for Tunisia. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800091–0712)↩
  4. Telegram 3100 from Tunis, April 12, reported on the visit by the congressional delegation. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800184–0127)↩