Office of the Historian

225. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter1

Washington, May 15, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Follow-Up of Royo Visit (U)

At your request, Bob Pastor brought the transcript of your briefing of Congress on the implementing legislation to President Royo on Thursday2 evening. In a conversation with Bob, Royo made the following points:

—On Nicaragua, he said that as a result of his conversation with you and his meetings on the Hill, he believes the risks to the implementing legislation and to US-Panamanian relations is too great to consider any further assistance to the Sandinistas. (C)

[Page 558]

—On the Non-Aligned Movement, he reiterated his pledge to you to speak in Havana about the new relationship between the US and Panama which is the result of the treaties. He welcomes follow-up briefings by us on the specific issues, and we will be doing that soon. (C)

—On the implementing legislation, he said he would be helpful in any way you wanted, and would return to Washington to speak to Congressmen and Senators if you so requested. He was worried that our strategy of waiting for the Senate to correct the “violations” of the House could backfire since he feels that many Senators believe that they have already done their duty for the treaties and do not want to “get bloodied” a second time. (C)

—On his meeting with you, he was extremely pleased. He admitted that while he had some doubts at times about the US, he had full trust and faith in you as a moral leader and a friend of his and Panama’s. (He asked that his comments on the School of the Americas in his conversation with you be kept in strict confidence, or it could cause him serious problems at home.) (C)

—On the US investment team to Panama, he has asked Gabriel Lewis to coordinate Panama’s side. They are looking forward to it. (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 60, Panama: 4/78-5/79. Confidential. Sent for information. Carter initialed the top-right corner of the memorandum.↩
  2. May 10. See Document 223.↩