Office of the Historian

195. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance1

Washington, September 24, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Jamaica (U)

The President has read a recent intelligence analysis reporting that Jamaican Prime Minister Manley is turning to the radical Jamaican Left in an attempt to shore up his weakened political position.2 The analysis reviews his harsh criticism of the U.S. and endorsement of Cuban/Soviet positions on a number of issues at the Non-Aligned Conference, and later at the Annual Conference of his ruling party.3 (S)

The President reacted to the analysis with the comment, “We should rap him in a way to strengthen his opposition.” The Department of State should implement the President’s instruction, and please inform the President.4 (S)

Zbigniew Brzezinski
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor, Country, Box 26, Jamaica, 1–9/79. Secret.↩
  2. Not further identified.↩
  3. In his speech at the annual conference of the People’s National Party on September 16, Manley continued his criticism of U.S. foreign policy and reiterated his commitment to Puerto Rican independence. (Telegram 6790 from Kingston, September 18; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790427–0456)↩
  4. Brzezinski added the last phrase by hand.↩