Office of the Historian

254. Memorandum From James Rentschler of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) and the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Aaron)1

Washington, April 7, 1980

SUBJECT

  • State Contacts with Polisario (C)

I am not sure whether you have seen the attached report of a contact last week here in Washington between State and a Polisario rep.2 The meeting was neither discussed with nor cleared by either me or anyone in Bob Hunter’s office. (C)

I strongly question whether now, when the first items of equipment in the arms package are being readied for delivery and when the Moroccans have just suffered more serious military reverses in the south, is the right moment for contacts of this kind, which at best will probably confuse our friends and stand to promote Polisario “legitimacy.” In fact, given our interest in eschewing any kind of mediatory role, I question whether any moment will be right for such contacts. (C)

Unless you have already cleared something on this matter with Saunders or Newsom (or Christopher?), I favor instructing State to lay off dealing with the Polisario.3 (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 56, Morocco: 9/79–1/81. Confidential. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “ZB has seen.” An unknown hand drew an arrow from the subject line to the note “JR 4/11” in the upper right-hand corner.↩
  2. Not attached. See Document 253.↩
  3. Aaron initialed the Agree option. Brzezinski wrote at the bottom of the page: “DA, Call Newsom. This shld have been cleared with us. ZB.” Aaron wrote “Done” next to Brzezinski’s note and drew an arrow to the left-hand margin next to it and wrote: “ZB, Was agreed in PRC/SCC that there would be such a contact. No more meetings until Polisario pulls out of Morocco. DA 4/10.” For the PRC meeting, see Document 42.↩