Office of the Historian

326. Memorandum From Robert Pastor of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, July 18, 1979

SUBJECT

  • US Aid and Policy to Grenada (C)

Our Ambassador to Barbados will be presenting her credentials in a couple of days in Grenada, and has requested some changes in the talking points which we sent to her, and has also requested a statement on our aid policy to Grenada. (C)

First, on aid policy, State recommends, and I concur, that we adopt a policy in which Grenada is for all apparent purposes treated like other islands in the Caribbean, but privately, we give somewhat smaller proportionate amounts to Grenada than to the other islands.2 The cable is at Tab A,3 and I recommend that you approve it.4 (S)

Secondly, our Ambassador has recommended a slight alteration in her talking points when she presents her credentials. She prefers not to raise in her first meeting with the Prime Minister past misunderstandings between our two countries.5 Our original intent was that we should raise these problematic points in order to clear the air and set the basis for a new relationship. Our Ambassador believes that it would be better to establish a good relationship first and raise these concerns—including one on the Grenada-Cuban relationship—later. I accept her points. If you concur, I will clear for the NSC instructions which say [Page 800] we should not raise these points, but should be prepared to respond if raised by them.6 (S)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 27, Grenada 1/77–1/81 through India 3–9/78. Secret. Sent for action.↩
  2. Although the United States did not give aid to Grenada bilaterally, the nation received financial assistance from the United States as part of a larger regional package. The Caribbean received $8.79 million in regional U.S. economic aid in FY 1977, $25.33 million in FY 1978, $28.84 million in FY 1979, and $47.77 million in FY 1980. (USAID Greenbook) The United States also provided Grenada with approximately $2 million per year through investments in the Caribbean Development Bank. (National Archives, RG 59 Central Foreign Policy File, P790165–1170)↩
  3. Not attached. A copy is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 27, Grenada 1/77–1/81 through India 3–9/78.↩
  4. Brzezinski checked the approve option. Telegram 186729 to Bridgetown, July 19, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790329–0758.↩
  5. The original text of the talking points mentioned “that there have been some differences in perception or understanding of events between our two governments since the inception of the NRG on March 13.” (Telegram 153150 to Bridgetown, June 14; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790269–0687)↩
  6. Brzezinski checked the approve option. Telegram 186802 to Bridgetown, July 19, transmitted the revised talking points. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790329–1085)↩