165. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter1
SUBJECT
- Extension of Jackson-Vanik Waivers
Cy Vance has forwarded a package recommending that you (1) extend your general waiver authority; and (2) continue the waivers for Hungary and Romania for another 12 months. (Tab C) Treasury, Commerce, STR, and Agriculture concur.2 (C)
This is a routine action. However, failure to renew your waiver authority would mean that the United States would no longer be able to extend MFN on a reciprocal basis to any East European country or to the Soviet Union or China. Failure to continue the Hungarian and Romanian waivers would severely damage our relations with these two countries and undermine the policy set forth in PD–21 regarding Eastern European countries. (C)
Under the Trade Act Presidential action on both these issues is required by June 3. (C)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That you sign the transmittal message to the Congress at Tab A which forwards your recommendation on the general waiver [Page 494] authority and the continuation of the waivers for Romania and Hungary.3 (C)
2. That you sign the Presidential Determination at Tab B that the further extension of the waiver authority granted by subsection 402(c) of the Trade Act will substantially promote the Jackson-Vanik objective of free emigration.4 (C)
OMB concurs.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 50, Presidential Determinations: 5/78–7/79. Confidential. Sent for action. Tabs A through C are attached but not printed.↩
- The “Recommendation for Extension of Waiver Authority” is printed in Public Papers: Carter, 1979, Book I, pp. 978–979.↩
- The President’s message is printed in Public Papers: Carter, 1979, Book I, p. 978.↩
- Carter signed the waivers. See Presidential Directive 79–10 printed in Public Papers: Carter, 1979, Book I, p. 979.↩