Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

206. Backchannel Message From Vice President Mondale to President Carter¹

May 5, 1978, 1552Z

I believe I have a reasonable prospect of advancing our basic human rights concerns here in Indonesia if I can be responsive to their very deep security concerns—in particular, their desire to purchase a squadron of A–4 aircraft.

In response to my memo on this issue before my departure,² you indicated that you favored a “half yes”—that we would favorably consider the sale, but link final approval to human rights progress. I believe the following approach would be consistent with the thrust of your decision, but have more impact in paving the way for a positive response by the Indonesians on our human rights concerns.

I would agree in principle to the $10 million sale, but I would not commit us to the equivalent increase in FMS credit the Indonesians need to make the purchase. I would also make clear that the possibility of increased FMS, involving as it does congressional action, would be affected by positive action on the human rights front—in particular, acceleration of release of political prisoners and admission of Catholic relief agencies into Timor. Such an approach would permit me to exploit a forthcoming attitude on their security concerns, but make clear that the practical steps required to consummate the sale—increased FMS credit—depended on their movement in the human rights area.

I am deeply concerned that, without the flexibility to make such a positive gesture in principle, this could prove to be a very sour visit. Indonesia is, strategically, perhaps the most important nation in this area, but frankly, I have little that is concrete to respond to either their economic or security concerns.

The A–4 sale is of great interest to them, but we should not exaggerate its magnitude from our standpoint. It does not introduce a new technological level of aircraft into the region, indeed the A–4 are inferior to the F–5’s and are a low cost alternative for the Indonesians, who understandably are anxious to replace their very old F–86 aircraft.

I believe we made progress in the Philippines and Thailand on both security and human rights³ and I believe it is important to our overall interests in the region to take the necessary steps to move forward with Indonesia as well.

I therefore request authority to use my discretion to proceed along the above lines.⁴

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 7, Backchannel Messages, Far East, 1/77–5/78. Secret; Sensitive; Flash.
2. Not found.
3. See footnote 3, Document 318 and Documents 167 and 168.
4. Brzezinski forwarded this message to Carter in a May 5 memorandum and Carter checked the Approve option underneath Mondale’s recommendation. (Carter Library, Donated Historical Material, Mondale Papers, Overseas Assignments—Trip Files, 1977–1980, Box 21, Vice President’s Visit to the Pacific, 4/29/78–5/11/78: Indonesia Background [2])