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

71. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter¹

Washington, December 12, 1979

SUBJECT

• Broadcasting to Muslims (U)

The Summary and Conclusions of the SSC [ SCC] I held on 11 December 1979 to review proposals for expanding and improving VOA and Radio Liberty broadcasts to Muslim audiences [1 line not declassified] are attached for your approval. (S/S)

The total yearly cost of all the steps that can be taken immediately is not greater than [dollar amount not declassified] dollars. Our task forces in the Persian Gulf area are probably costing this for only a few days’ operation. Longer-range improvements, which would be funded over two or three years, add up to about [dollar amount not declassified]. (C)

I am inclined to think that if we had not let our ability to communicate with this part of the world decline over a long period of time by failing to add modest increments of funds regularly, we might not have to be facing such large outlays of money for augmenting our military capabilities in the region. The costs of improving our position in the broadcasting field are extremely modest in comparison, but we have no time to lose in setting about the job. I plan to have my staff monitor everything we are doing in this field closely to ensure that momentum is maintained. (U)

RECOMMENDATION

That you approve the Summary of Conclusions attached at TAB A.²

1. Source: National Security Council, Carter Administration Intelligence Files, Box I–023, SCC Meetings Folders, 1979–1980 and Attorney General Actions, SCC(i) Meeting on Broadcasting and Related Issues, 11 December 1979. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Brzezinski wrote the date on the document. Carter wrote “Zbig. J” at the top indicating he wanted the memorandum returned to Brzezinski.
2. Tab A is attached but not printed. Carter neither approved nor disapproved the recommendation and wrote in the margin: “This is a summary?! I approve the immediate action, but OMB will have to assess for me the other new expansion projects. J.” Brzezinski informed Vance, McIntyre, Turner, Reinhardt, and Gronouski of this decision in a December 13 memorandum. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Subject Chron File, Box 112, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Voice of America: 10–12/79) In a December 14 memorandum to Brzezinski, Reinhardt reported: “As a result of the SCC meeting on December 11, we are prepared and resources permitting” planned to increase Persian broadcasting to six hours, as well as other increases in broadcast times to countries with large Islamic populations. (National Security Council, Carter Administration Intelligence Files, Box I–023, SCC Meetings Folders, 1979–1980 and Attorney General Actions, SCC(i) Meeting on Broadcasting and Related Issues, 11 December 1979)