Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXX, Public Diplomacy

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

Washington, December 13, 1979

SUBJECT

• People-to-People Strategy on Central America and the Caribbean

After you left the meeting on Friday,² Cy Vance met with the group for another 20 minutes, and then Bob Pastor continued the dialogue for an additional hour. There is tremendous interest in the proposal, and all the participants promised that they would send us suggested candidates for an expanded group and some specific ideas on ways to structure the program. We hope to send you that information next week so that we can plan for an expanded meeting after the holidays.

There was some confusion as to whether the regional target for this effort is just the Caribbean, or also Central America. Andy Young argued strongly for the broader definition, and I agree with that. Unless you indicate otherwise, we will assume that you feel the effort should be directed at Central America and the Caribbean, and should to the extent possible, involve other basin countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico in the exchanges.³

The major issue discussed was the extent to which the US Government would be willing to financially support this program in the early stages. All of the group felt that an effective and well-coordinated effort would require US Government financial support at the beginning. This could be done by a grant from AID to a Commission Secretariat, which would be the coordinating hub of the organization. We stressed your interest in this being a private effort without government funding.⁴

Other comments made by the group:

1. Airplane Trip. On reflection, most of the members felt that it would be inappropriate to initiate such a program with a quick tour by a group through the area in a Presidential plane.⁵ I agree with that. It seems to me that there are three objectives such a tour would be designed to serve: (1) to establish if the host government is interested in such a program; (2) to make contact with local groups and people; and (3) to determine the kinds of needs which the program would aim to serve. We could do the first by a letter from you, and the second and third could be accomplished by either a low profile tour by a few members or by informal discussions and contacts with government officials and local leaders.⁶

2. Objectives. Fascell said that he still was not sure what we want to accomplish by this effort, and whether we are talking about only expanding existing organizations, or something more. His point is well taken, and I recommend that we convey to the members that you view this effort as serving three goals: (1) attitude: improve mutual understanding and appreciation through people-to-people exchanges; (2) development: help meet the developmental needs of the nations of the region through small-scale and personal assistance efforts; and (3) democracy: to encourage political and economic pluralism by working directly with private groups in the area in a way which will lead them toward playing important roles in their societies. To serve these goals, we hope to involve a wide range of groups and leaders.

We have kept our Ambassadors informed of this idea and are seeking their views on how to proceed. In the light of your comments on the conclusion of the Caribbean Chiefs of Mission Conference, we will cable our Ambassadors and make three points: (1) We ought to be looking for creative ways to relate to Central America and the Caribbean, not just through traditional aid instruments. (2) In a time of budgetary stringency, it is especially important for us to look for ways to stretch our aid—make it more efficient and effective. (3) We are examining the idea of an important people-to-people program to the area. State is working hard on this idea.

If you approve this general approach, Bob Pastor will inform the members of the group and encourage them to relay their candidates and comments to us soonest. He will also make sure that a cable is sent to our Ambassadors in the Caribbean and Central America along the lines described above.⁷

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 6, Caribbean: People-to-People, 12/79. No classification marking. Sent for information. The President wrote “Zbig J” in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. Pastor sent the December 13 memorandum to Brzezinski under a December 13 covering memorandum, requesting that he sign it. (Ibid.) In a handwritten note, December 13, the President instructed Pastor: “Give me a brief assessment of progress on our Caribbean project.” (Ibid.)
2. See footnote 2, Document 196.
3. The President wrote “ok” in the left-hand margin next to this paragraph.
4. The President wrote “Let McIntyre advise—minimum fed $” in the left-hand margin next to this paragraph.
5. The President placed a bracket in the right-hand margin next to this sentence and added “not what I wanted.”
6. In the left-hand margin next to this paragraph, the President wrote: “I prefer the low profile tour.”
7. Below this paragraph, the President wrote: “Zbig—Without further delay, let Bob Pastor set down in writing—in outline form—exactly what I have said in the Cabinet & Roosevelt Rooms. Add what he has received in advice from others plus his own ideas. Submit to me for comment and approval. Then we’ll move forward. I could do this personally, but don’t choose to do so. Ambassadors are probably not inclined to support what I want done—the major thrust of which will be non-governmental (federal). J.”