170. Memorandum From Robert Pastor of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) and the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Aaron)1
SUBJECT
- Nicaragua Update (U)
With the direct negotiations between the two sides at a standstill, the NG took matters into its hands today and presented a “compromise proposal” to both sides for their approval (or rejection) by next week.2 The NG proposal contains provisions which had been discussed in earlier negotiating sessions, and which, it is hoped, will be acceptable to both sides. The principal compromise modifications advanced in this latest document are: (C)
(1) Somoza’s brother and son, who occupy key command positions in the National Guard, will be relieved and named to posts abroad before the plebiscite is conducted on February 25, 1979. (C)
(2) Should Somoza win, he would be obligated to form a “national government of reconciliation” and the FAO would be obliged to maintain a peaceful, democratic, and constructive opposition. (This is changed from the earlier drafts which required the FAO’s participation in the government.) (C)
(3) Should Somoza lose, he would resign immediately and voluntarily absent himself from the country three days later, and remain abroad until at least May 1, 1981. (C)
(4) Following the election by Congress of an interim President, Congress would adopt certain constitutional changes by April 15, 1979, which would permit the election by Congress (FAO nominates and PLN approves) of a new President on May 1, 1979, who would serve with legislative and executive powers until May 1, 1981, with the help of a fifty-person “Committee of Notables,” who in turn will be charged with drawing up a draft of a new constitution. A Cabinet will be named by the new President composed of one-third FAO, one-third PLN, and one-third independents chosen by mutual agreement between the FAO and PLN. (C)
[Page 438](5) A constituent assembly will be elected on November 1, 1980, (Note: Although it is not mentioned, presumably a new President will be popularly elected under the terms of the current constitution, to assume power on May 1, 1981, to replace the interim President.) (C)
The other major ideas of the NG proposal, i.e., the reorganization of the Supreme Court and the National Guard, the particulars and timetable of the carrying-out of a fair plebiscite under the control of an international authority—have not changed from earlier positions tabled by the NG. (C)
Initial reaction to the compromise plan has been negative on the government side.3 General McAuliffe and Ambassador Bowdler met with Somoza today and informed him that we have been disappointed in the government’s unyielding position during the discussions of the past several days. It appears as if Somoza believes that by stalling long enough, he will be able to create sufficient divisions among the FAO to cause it to break off negotiations, and thus bear the onus for having failed to reach an agreement. (C)
I just learned that the meeting between Bowdler and McAuliffe and Somoza went very poorly. Somoza apparently stonewalled, and tried unsuccessfully to persuade McAuliffe that 30 years of a military alliance should not be repaid in this manner. McAuliffe and Bowdler are cabling their recommendations for tough action on our part. McAuliffe believes that half measures will not persuade Somoza anymore. They may be recommending withdrawal of the entire MILGROUP, the entire AID Mission, the Ambassador, and I would not be surprised if they included the furniture. We will have to have an SCC meeting to discuss this tomorrow. Christopher will probably raise it with you at your 6:45 a.m. meeting. (C)
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 35, Nicaragua, 10/78–12/78. Confidential. Inderfurth initialed the top of the page.↩
- See Document 169.↩
- See Document 171.↩