Foreign Relations of the United States 1977–1980; Volume XV; Central America, 1977–1980

247. Memorandum for the Record by [name not declassified] of the Central Intelligence Agency¹

NFAC–3491–78

Washington, June 29, 1979

SUBJECT

• SCC Meeting on Nicaragua, 29 June 1979, White House Situation Room

PARTICIPANTS

• David Aaron, White House; Frank Carlucci, [name not declassified] CIA; Warren Christopher, Viron Vaky, Brandon Grove, State Department; Charles Duncan, David McGiffert, Defense Department; John Pustay, JCS; Robert Pastor, NSC

1. Mr. Aaron called the meeting to disagree with the position outlined by State—in an outgoing NODIS cable—of shelving the effort to foster a moderate provisional government in Nicaragua in favor of increased efforts to broaden and moderate the FSLN’s provisional junta.² He recommended that the US continue to pursue both tracks and to that end indicated that Panama’s Torrijos might come to the US next Monday³ or Tuesday to discuss with President Carter the transition in Nicaragua.

2. Extensive discussion followed with State Department representatives defending the effort to work with the junta, pointing out its future need for financial assistance as a US lever to moderate and broaden it. DDCI Carlucci indicated that the FSLN was already moving to coopt moderate leaders into its provisional government, which would make them less likely to risk joining in a US-sponsored alternative government. Aaron and Defense Department representatives expressed concern that unless a reformed and reconstituted National Guard were supported by the US, the FSLN would seize power.

3. Differences were reconciled, and the cable was redrafted to indicate that both policy tracks would continue to be pursued.⁴

4. Mr. Duncan urged that a signals intelligence ship be dispatched to the area during this crucial time. Carlucci indicated that the DCI had evaluated that the mission would be valuable but not essential. Assistant Secretary Vaky opposed the mission on the grounds that it would jeopardize the diplomatic effort. It was agreed to step up aircraft missions and to dispatch the ship, but to hold it off station until a final decision could be made by the SCC principals.

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00112R: Subject Files, Box 16, Folder 36: (SCC) Nicaragua. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by [name not declassified] on July 3. [name not declassified] sent the memorandum to Turner under a July 3 covering memorandum, indicating that [name not declassified] had prepared the memorandum for the record. No other minutes for the June 29 SCC meeting on Nicaragua have been found.
2. See Document 243.
3. July 2.
4. See Documents 248 and 249.