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

39. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, March 5, 1980, 11:55 a.m.–12:05 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Summary of Dr. Brzezinski’s Meeting with Rafael Castillo Valdez, Guatemalan Foreign Minister (C)

PARTICIPANTS

• Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
• Robert Pastor, NSC Staff
• Brewster Hemenway, Director, Office of Central American Affairs, Department of State
• H.E. Rafael Castillo Valdez, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guatemala
• H.E. Dorotea Monterroso, Guatemalan Ambassador to the United States

Dr. Brzezinski welcomed the Foreign Minister, and after exchanging pleasantries, said that he looked forward to meeting with the Minister for two reasons: to listen to the Minister’s views of recent developments in Central America and to offer his own perspective on those developments. (C)

Dr. Brzezinski said that Central America is of fundamental importance to the United States, and that we have been watching recent developments closely and with great concern. This is a time of profound change in the region. We support the need for change and are eager to play a positive role to help see that this change is constructive and democratic. (C)

Historically, the relationship between the US and Central American countries has been very close, but it has also been unequal. We realize that the time has come for readjusting that relationship so that it becomes more balanced; the Panama Canal Treaties are an example of our recognition of that goal. Moreover, we have sought to express our support for the very real aspirations in the region for independence, self-determination, and dignity. (C)

The adjustment of the region’s external relationship with the United States coincides with an increase of internal pressures for social reform within each country. Our concern is that the combination of these two trends could produce an explosive situation in the region, which could be exploited by the Soviet Union and the Cubans, and badly managed by elite groups in the area. Both external and internal changes are necessary. We do not believe it is possible to maintain the status quo or to stop social reforms. The issue is how to channel this pressure for change constructively so as to assure greater justice and democracy in the region. We hope that Guatemala will be an important factor for social change in the region. (C)

Minister Castillo said that he believed that Dr. Brzezinski had so perfectly summarized the situation in Central America that he requested a copy of the minutes, and Dr. Brzezinski said that could be done. The Foreign Minister said that change is inevitable. The alternative is to go backwards. He said Dr. Brzezinski mentioned the importance of change in a democratic framework, and he agreed with that entirely. He said that there are fundamentally only two choices for the region: democratic capitalism or communism. (C)

Dr. Brzezinski underlined the importance of changing our external relationships as well, and agreed with the Foreign Minister that we want to avoid communism. (C)

Minister Castillo said that in order to be able to counterbalance this drift toward communism, we need to do great things. There is a tremendous challenge that we face. (C)

Dr. Brzezinski said that Guatemala could succeed in that challenge. There are other examples of traditional and antiquated structures which evolved toward democracy. Venezuela and Spain provide two such positive examples. Guatemala, with its wealth and talent and with the disturbing example of Nicaragua, could change in the same direction. Guatemala should work for more reforms internally and perhaps engage in a dialogue with Spain in order to profit from their example. Guatemala may also want to try to encourage the Mexicans to play a more constructive role, rather than the ambivalent game they are playing. (C)

Minister Castillo said that Mexico in fact likes to play three different games—one for international politics, one for internal political reasons, and a different one for bilateral relations. Minister Castillo asked Dr. Brzezinski to consider this conversation as a base upon which they can build in future conversations. (C)

Dr. Brzezinski said that he would like to do that, and he concluded by saying that this is a real opportunity to do something constructive in Guatemala and for Guatemala to play a constructive role in Central America.² (C)

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 27, Guatemala: 1/77–1/81. Confidential. The meeting took place in Brzezinski’s office. Sent to Brzezinski under a March 5 covering memorandum from Pastor requesting Brzezinski’s approval of the memorandum of conversation and signature on a note to Castillo. Brzezinski indicated his approval and signed the note to Castillo, which was dated March 7 and served as a covering note to a copy of Brzezinski’s remarks about Central America made during their March 5 conversation. Castillo had requested a copy of the remarks during the meeting. (Ibid.)
2. A typed note titled “DR ITEM Guatemala” on which an unknown hand wrote: “March 6, 1980—ZB to Pres,” reads: “I met with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister this morning and I impressed upon him the necessity for undertaking fundamental social reforms as the best way to assure the defeat of the extreme Left in Central America. I told him that we were trying to adjust our international relationships with the nations in the region in order to make them more balanced and equal, but this policy, combined with internal pressures within the region, could create an explosive situation. He understood and accepted my points, and agreed that change was necessary, and it should occur within a democratic framework.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 24, Guatemala: 1–7/80)