29. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Christopher)1
Washington, March 26, 1977
SUBJECT
- Torrijos
The President noted a recent item2 which stated that General Torrijos has reportedly invited Castro to Panama in May and is planning to visit Libya.
It is my belief that if word of this gets out—as it inevitably will—the reaction in the U.S. by conservative anti-treaty forces is going to make the selling of the treaty more difficult. The President agrees with this assessment. He has instructed that General Torrijos be advised of our view. Please let Torrijos know this through your channels.3
Zbigniew
Brzezinski
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Box 39, Pastor, Country, Panama, 1–3/77. Secret. An unidentified hand wrote: “Let Pastor know” on the top of the memorandum.↩
- Not found.↩
- In telegram 69680 to Panama City, March 29, Christopher instructed Jorden to convey the administration’s concerns regarding Torrijos’s potential visit to Libya and meeting with Castro. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, N770002–0281 and P850056–1944) In telegram 2497 from Panama City, April 7, the Embassy reported on its attempts, “in a low-key way to encourage restraint upon the Panamanian Government as the Libya trip approaches . . . Our emphasis has been on the potential for damage to Panama’s cause in the U.S.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770122–0806) Torrijos visited Libya April 12–16.↩