Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXVII, Western Europe

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

Washington, April 3, 1979

SUBJECT

• Working Group on Germany (C)

The memorandum from Bill Griffith² is good, and right on the mark (it also complements my long memo to you on TNF, and the evidence that has been growing about the “successor generation” problem).³ (U)

On his specific steps:

— As you know, a Germany Working Group already exists, chaired by me and Goodby, on an interagency basis.⁴ It includes many of the people Bill suggests, plus some others. We already discuss the issues and problems Bill raises—but it would be helpful for this group (so far only advisory) to become more action-oriented. (C)

— On political review of economic negotiation, this is the most glaring bureaucratic shortcoming that I know of in the government on foreign policy issues, in general, and towards Europe (and Germany) in particular. To get this idea moving will need some high-powered intervention and sorting out—ideally with an increased role for Henry Owen.⁵ (U)

— On TNF, it is true that relating the process (well-organized and run) with “U.S. and FRG relations with the USSR and the CPR” is the most significant gap. Discussing those interconnections here (and interagency) would be very helpful.⁶ (C)

— On cultural contacts, we are pushing ICA, State, etc., with limited success. The key: money—and direction from on high to ICA to shift its priorities. After the WG next meets, I will send you a tasker for State/ICA.⁷ (U)

— On contact with von Staden, etc.: we already talk with the Germany Embassy about these issues, in general. However, overall it has proved to be too weak to deal effectively with these issues from its end. More is possible—and your seeing von Staden would be useful—but I don’t hold out much hope through the Embassy channel. (C)

— On informing the British and French and seeking counsel: we have to be careful about singling out Germany in any presentation, but seeing this as a general U.S.–European problem would be useful. I have also believed through two Summits that the “successor generation” issues should be discussed among the Seven, as well. (C)

I will schedule an early meeting of the Germany Working Group (including more NSC staff), and work closely with Bill on the agenda. It would also be valuable for him to make an opening presentation. If you approve, I will push the group into more task-oriented directions, and also have the group meet more frequently.⁸ (C)

OK ___________

Other ___________

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 24, German Federal Republic: 2–4/79. Confidential. Outside the System. Sent for action. A copy was sent to Griffith. A stamp at the top of the page reads: “ZB has seen.” At the top of the page, Aaron wrote: “ZB—The problem is to find something actionable. Maybe we should work on drawing in some more outsiders like Guido Goldman. __ Yes __ No. DA.” Brzezinski indicated his approval of this suggestion. Goldman was a professor at Harvard University.
2. See Document 115.
3. See Document 179.
4. See Document 109 and footnote 7 thereto.
5. Aaron underlined the words “ideally with an increased role for Henry Owen.” Next to this paragraph, he wrote: “The past Five administrations have failed on this score. DA.”
6. Below this sentence, Aaron wrote: “I doubt it. Flesh out some ‘interconnects’.”
7. Not found.
8. Brzezinski checked the OK option and wrote: “use his paper as basis for discussion; invite Smyser to take part; include only a small number of people.” Brzezinski’s notation refers to Griffith’s paper (see footnote 2, above). Hunter circulated it and scheduled an April 20 meeting of the Germany Working Group at which Griffith was to “introduce a discussion of the relationship of TNF issues to German policy and attitudes concerning East-West relations, in all its aspects.” (Memorandum from Hunter to Ermarth, Thompson, and Larrabee, April 18; Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Box 52, 5/18/79) No minutes for the April 20 meeting have been found.