Office of the Historian

54. 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

Washington, October 7, 1980

SUBJECT

  • U.S. Policy to Guatemala (S)

State has sent a status report on our dialogue with Guatemala, following the Dreyfuss-Nutting mission to Guatemala (Tab A).2 They identify a number of follow-up items to continue to keep the dialogue going for the next couple of months, but none of us believe that we are likely to see any progress until after the election. Indeed, I understand that Muskie will not be meeting with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, and since you also will not be meeting with him, that will send an additional message to the Guatemalans. (S)

I have checked with State with regard to having an SCC (I) on CIA’s three proposals, and Bowdler thinks we should wait until after [Page 153] the election before we consider that or any other element in our strategy (Tab B).3 I am inclined to agree with him, particularly since CIA has disowned its three proposals unless we adopt all three of them (I recommend only 1½) and a different overt strategy. (S)

Therefore, I do not recommend an SCC(I) at this time. Let’s wait another month and see.4 (S)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 16, Guatemala. Secret. Sent for action.↩
  2. Not attached. In a September 25 memorandum to Brzezinski, Tarnoff provided a status report on the dialogue with Guatemala: “Interested agencies have evaluated the results of the John Dreyfuss/General Nutting mission to Guatemala, and have concluded that President Lucas’ response on government-sponsored violence precludes increases in economic assistance or changes in US policy concerning security assistance at this time.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor Files, Country Files, Box 24, Guatemala: 8–10/80) For more on the Dreyfuss-Nutting Mission, see Document 49.↩
  3. Not attached.↩
  4. An unknown hand wrote two options at the bottom of the memorandum: “Approve,” and “Other.” Brzezinski wrote “OK” next to “Approve.” Aaron initialed next to “Approve.”↩