Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XX, Eastern Europe

230. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Romania¹

Washington, June 19, 1980, 2210Z

162131. Subject: US-Romanian Military Supply Relationship. Ref: USDAO Bucharest 060740Z March 80.²

1. S-entire text.

2. We have given careful consideration to the question of establishing a military supply relationship with Romania. It has been decided at a high level that we should respond to Admiral Dinu’s request (reftel) by going back to the Romanians in a low-key way to ask that they be more specific about their interest in establishing such a relationship.

3. Several factors have changed since 1975–76 when the Romanians made a similar request. The most restrictive provisions of the Battle Act³ are no longer in force, and the US has a growing interest in supporting Romania and its policies of independence. Nevertheless, Romania’s membership in the Warsaw Pact and probable opposition in the Congress are serious obstacles.

4. Before deciding on next steps, we would like to have greater confidence than we now have that Admiral Dinu’s request represented a serious and continuing Romanian interest in a military supply relationship. Accordingly, at the Ambassador’s discretion the Defense Attache should make an appointment with Admiral Dinu and convey the points in para 5.

5. Talking points:

—Careful consideration has been given in Washington to the approach you made on March 6 concerning the possibility of US military sales to Romania.

—As was the case in 1975–76, any such sales to a member of the Warsaw Pact raise legal and political questions, although some legal obstacles have since been relaxed.

—We want to approach the matter with a constructive attitude, although we would not want to raise expectations that could not be fulfilled.

—Before considering the Romanian request further, we would appreciate having a firm indication that the Government of Romania remains actively interested in pursuing the question of US military sales.

—If it is, we would like to have specific ideas of the kinds of articles you might wish to purchase. We could not provide such items as major weapons systems or sensitive military technologies, but we would be prepared to hear other requests.

If the Romanian interlocutor responds by referring to the list handed over in 1975, the Defense Attache should answer as follows:

—We will report your interest to Washington.

—You should be aware, however, that the 1975 list contained a number of items which involve sensitive military technology or major weapons systems.

6. Begin FYI. Following, for Embassy’s background, is list given us in 1975:

Portable radar station for tactical reconnaissance;

Grenade thrower—adaptable for man-portable armaments;

Marksman passive device—for aim at the target—for gun, stun gun and machine gun;

Launching device for portable anti-aircraft missiles and portable anti-aircraft missiles designed for air defense against low speed and low level flying attacking aircraft; self-propelled anti-aircraft missile launchers and anti-aircraft missiles for close-in defense against low flying attacking aircraft;

Portable missiles system and portable missiles designed for use against tanks and armored personnel carriers;

Light mortar—caliber 120mm.—and the 120mm. shells (explosives, flash and smoke);

Two barrels aircraft cannon;

Coastal minesweeper—designed in a magnetic structure;

Stereoscopic rangefinder for anti-aircraft artillery;

Technical equipment for medium tank. End FYI.

7. This is a joint State-Defense message.⁴

Christopher

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P870104–0590. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to the White House. Drafted by Courtney and Barry; cleared by O’Donohue, Kramer, Larrabee, Schmidt, and in PM and T; approved by Bartholomew.
2. See footnote 3, Document 223.
3. The Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act, also known as the Battle Act, restricted export of certain strategic and military items to countries allied with the Soviet Union.
4. The Embassy reported the July 1 meeting between the Defense Attaché and Dinu in telegram 5390 from Bucharest, July 2. Dinu explained that Bucharest was still interested in a military supply relationship on the basis of the 1975 list. Dinu also “enquired how eventual Romanian-US military sales agreement would be finalized, posing question of a possible signing of documents at the highest level.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Freedom of Information/Legal, Arms Transfers/Country File, Box 29, Romania: 6/77–10/80)