Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XII, Afghanistan

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

Washington, October 4, 1979

SUBJECT

• Growing Soviet Involvement in Afghanistan

In view of General Pavlovsky’s extended presence in Afghanistan and the gradually growing character of the Soviet involvement there, the President feels that we face the prospect of an evolutionary intervention. Accordingly, he wishes the two following steps to be undertaken:

1. This situation should become subject to more frequent public comment;

2. Our allies and the countries more immediately concerned in the region of Afghanistan should be promptly informed on the pertinent facts available to the U.S. Government.

Please undertake the above, and inform the President on implementation.²

Zbigniew Brzezinski

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Newsom, Lot 81D154, Afghanistan. Secret. A handwritten note at the bottom of the page indicates that the memorandum was received in S/S–I on October 5 at 12 p.m.
2. Attached but not printed is Newsom’s October 10 covering memorandum to Saunders, forwarding Brzezinski’s memorandum. Citing Brzezinski’s memorandum as indicative of the President’s interest in the situation in Afghanistan, Newsom observed: “with the changed circumstances and some of the indications which we have had of Amin’s desire to improve the contact with us, the time has come for a further review of our basic approach to Afghanistan.” Newsom further noted that recently Amin had sought to improve communication with the United States and, with Amstutz due back in Washington for consultation, his presence could be a “focal point” for a review of current U.S. options regarding Afghanistan. Newsom contributed to that review in the SCC meeting on October 26. See Document 76.