Office of the Historian

263. Memorandum From Robert Hunter and Jim Rentschler of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, May 8, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Aid to Yugoslavia (U)

As you know, Senator Kennedy has introduced legislation2 calling for $20 million in aid to Yugoslavia after its devastating earthquake3 [Page 868] (damage in Montenegro, for example, was equal to a year’s gross product). In the absence of Administration support—or even comment—the SFRC did not approve it, though Kennedy’s office believes the SFRC would respond to the Administration, and Kennedy will go to the floor in any event, where he believes he will get support. It would not be surprising if our non-response were made an issue on the Senate floor—a position we should seek to avoid on a humanitarian matter. (C)

At State, Vest and Newsom believe we should support this expenditure; Vance does not, simply on budgetary grounds: i.e. the President’s desire not to raise the budget. There is also a question about a supplemental which Henry Owen flags: at what point does the Congress start whittling away at other things in the aid field? (C)

Our belief—which Vest shares—is 1) that the Congress will judge whether or not to set this aid off against other aid appropriations independently of the position the Administration takes on this item; and 2) the Yugoslavs will never understand why we refused to support it. Even a “no comment” will not be understood. Belovski has been calling around town in support. (C)

In view of the genuine humanitarian purposes—plus the importance of the Yugoslav relationship—we believe that State’s decision should be reconsidered. As a result, we recommend that you talk with Cy Vance, and urge him to give a positive response. (C)

RECOMMENDATION:4

That you call Cy Vance along the above lines. (U)

Yes No

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 86, Yugoslavia: 1–12/79. Confidential. Sent for action. Sent through Madeleine Albright. Copies were sent to Owen and Mathews.↩
  2. Senator Edward Kennedy (D–Massachusetts) drafted an amendment to the FY 80–81 Development Assistance Authorization Bill, but did not introduce it on the Senate floor. See footnote 2, Document 264. The text of the amendment, reported by the Department in telegram 109909 to Belgrade, May 1, called for a $20 million appropriation to be used by the President for relief and reconstruction assistance to Yugoslavia. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790198–0941)↩
  3. On April 15, 1979, at 7:30 a.m. local time, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck 15 km from the Montenegro coast causing extensive damage.↩
  4. Brzezinski neither approved nor disapproved the recommendation.↩