Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980 Volume XXIV, South America; Latin America Region

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

Washington, April 25, 1979

SUBJECT

• Consultations with Latin American and Caribbean Governments on Global Issues (C)

An important new direction which the President set in his Pan American Day speech of 1977 was his pledge to consult more fully with Latin American and Caribbean governments on global issues.² This new policy direction rested on three premises: (1) that the cooperation and support of Latin American and Caribbean governments are necessary to deal effectively with a wide range of global issues; (2) that Latin American governments view world affairs from a combined western and Third World perspective, and thus their advice could be useful to us as we formulate our policies; and (3) that regular consultations on global as well as bilateral issues will demonstrate our trust and attention to these countries and help us achieve more balanced and mutually respectful relationships. (C)

There is a great need today for such global consultations. Many of the governments in the area play important roles in global fora yet they often lack the information with which to make reasoned judgments. Other governments sometimes fill the information gap and gain the kind of trust which genuine consultations can bring.³ We risk too much by remaining idle in this area. (C)

Let me suggest that we begin to implement a comprehensive plan for consulting on a wide range of global issues on a regular basis with selected governments in the region.⁴ Obviously, one wants to tailor the briefings to the particular country, and one wants to allow the Ambassador discretion as to timing, audience (Foreign Minister or President), and even whether a particular briefing should be given. (C)

With respect to Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela, we should try to be sensitive to consulting on virtually all important issues or informing these governments of decisions, very much like we do with NATO countries. In addition, our Ambassadors should consult with the Foreign Ministers (or perhaps Heads of State) of other countries in the area with influence in international affairs, including Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad, Barbados, and Costa Rica. Issues for routine consultations could include: Southern Africa, the Middle East, Cuba, international economic issues of particular concern to the developing world, energy, and SALT. (C)

Zbigniew Brzezinski

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 46, Latin America, 2–5/80. Confidential.
2. See footnote 3, Document 5.
3. In an April 10 memorandum to Brzezinski, Pastor wrote that it “became clear to me” that an official at the Mexican Foreign Ministry “was getting his information on Cuba’s activities in Africa and Yemen elsewhere. The Cubans are probably briefing him and others in Mexico on a regular basis; they’re probably repeating the briefing elsewhere, notably in Jamaica.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor, Country Files, Box 27, Latin America, 8–12/79)
4. In the April 10 memorandum to Brzezinski, Pastor wrote: “ARA has never felt very comfortable with the ‘global’ approach. Part of the reason is that the briefing papers on Southern Africa, the Middle East, etc., necessarily have to be written in other bureaus. For that reason, Vaky agreed that a memo from you to the Secretary could be useful in his obtaining the cooperation of the rest of the departments.” (Ibid.)