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  3. Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, Volume XXIII, Mexico, Cuba, and the Caribbean
  4. Document 379

379. Summary of Conclusions of a Mini-Policy Review Committee Meeting1

Washington, October 28, 1980, 10:04–11:16 a.m.

SUBJECT

  • Eastern Caribbean (U)

PARTICIPANTS

  • State

    • Matthew Nimetz, Under Secretary for Security Assistance, Science and Technology
    • Dan O’Donohue, Deputy Director, Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs
    • Ambassador William Bowdler, Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs

  • OSD

    • Frank Kramer, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for National Security Affairs
    • Ambassador Frederic Chapin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, Latin America

  • JCS

    • Lt General John Gorman, Director of Plans and Policy, J–5
    • DCI
    • Jack Davis, NIO for Latin America
    • John Gannon, Latin American Division, OPA
    • OMB
    • Philip DuSault, Deputy Associate Director for International Affairs
    • John Eisenhower, Chief, International Security Affairs Branch
    • IDCA
    • Leah Wortham, Deputy Associate Director for DCC
    • Coast Guard
    • Arva Floyd, Political Adviser to Commandant
    • Joel Sipes, Special Assistant to Commandant
    • AID
  • David Lazar, Director, Office of Development Programs
    • White House
    • David Aaron
    • NSC
    • Robert Pastor

Summary of Conclusions

1. US Interests in the Caribbean. All agreed that the Caribbean is of high priority to the United States because: (a) of its proximity and [Page 944] vulnerability; (b) the British are leaving the area, creating a power vacuum; (c) the example of Grenada could repeat because of Cuban support for radical groups in each of these islands; (d) the political campaign has demonstrated again that the American people see this area as one in need of special attention; (e) the area covers our vital sea lanes; (f) the islands are vulnerable to being exploited by narcotics operators; (g) the enormous costs of illegal immigration; (h) the many nations in the area have considerable clout with their votes in the UN; (i) economic interests; and (j) ties among friends and families. (S)

2. Regional Coast Guard. The group agreed that each of the nations needs a Coast Guard for purposes of coastal defense, narcotics interdiction, and search and rescue. The group agreed that the US should play an important role in assuring the minimal security needs of the nations of the Eastern Caribbean, and that each of these nations need one to two patrol boats and regional cooperation. The Coast Guard has developed a proposal that these security needs could be met by providing standardized patrol boats, small patrol aircraft, and appropriate support facilities, and by encouraging regional cooperation. The proposal could cost from $13 to $25 million, over a five-year period, and perhaps could be funded on a grant basis through an amendment to Coast Guard’s authorization and appropriation bills. OMB will chair an interagency group to examine this proposal and alternatives for meeting these security needs, including possible funding by direct FMS credits on concessional terms. The group agreed that if we could develop a cooperative program between Eastern Caribbean security forces and the US Coast Guard, and a means of financing equipment on terms they could afford, that this would help to provide a more secure environment for democracy. (S)

3. Security Assistance Levels. The group reviewed the budget requests for FMS and IMET for the Caribbean for FY 81 and 82, and agreed that because of the terms of FMS guaranteed loans, many of the nations in the area will be unable to use FY 81 funds. All agreed that more concessional funding would be needed in the area. This issue will be developed further. (S)

4. Training. All agreed that we want to encourage the UK and the Canadians to do as much as possible in all security areas, and especially in training of police. Current legislation limits our ability to assist the police, and all agreed that we should consider asking the Congress to change the law so as to permit the United States to train the police in small democratic states, which do not have defense forces. State will prepare a study of the legislative restrictions and assess the possibilities for modifying the law. (S)

5. Seabees. The Seabees do a good job in the Caribbean, and are well liked, but they can only work in emergency situations and on a [Page 945] reimbursable basis. The group discussed the possibility of assigning a special Seabees unit for civic action-type projects in the Caribbean. They would be specially trained to be sensitive to the political and cultural currents, and to teach local people. We would start using them in small teams, and build up incrementally if they were proven to be effective. An additional purpose of such a unit would be to encourage the people of the area to look at the US military in a more positive way. This would be another aspect of our evolving security relationship. DOD will draft a proposal and try to take into account the anticipated Congressional reaction to funding it from the DOD budget. (S)

6. Overall Package. The group also discussed the possibility of including these items in an overall initiative for the Caribbean area. Such an initiative would have to have a very large economic component. (S)

7. Long-Term Planning. State was also tasked to write a paper on what we can expect over the next 10 years in the Eastern Caribbean, both as to the viability of the nations and of the dimensions and nature of the US commitment.2 The CIA will also develop a paper, in consultation with State, on what the British and Canadians are currently doing in the area, and what more we can expect of them in the future. We can use this information for trilateral talks we are planning in December in New York.3 (S)

8. Due Date. The papers to be prepared by CIA and DOD, the paper mentioned in paragraph 4, and the results of the interagency meeting mentioned in paragraph 2 are to be made available to all participants in the PRC by Thursday, November 6.4 (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, 1977–1981, Box 83, PCM 022 [1], Eastern Caribbean 10/28/80. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.↩
  2. Not found.↩
  3. Telegram 326387 to Bridgetown, December 10, provided an account of the December 5 trilateral talks. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800588–0009)↩
  4. In its paper dated November 5, the CIA concluded that, “The UK strongly hopes that the U.S. will take the lead in providing economic aid to the region,” and that “Canada, despite its considerable political influence in the region, seems unlikely to provide substantial security assistance to the Caribbean.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor, Country, Box 5, Folder: Caribbean, 10–11/80) The interagency paper, dated November 17, suggested asking Congress to add a new section to the Economic Support Fund chapter of the Foreign Assistance Act. (Ibid.) The Department of State paper called for in paragraph 4 and the Defense Department paper were not found.↩