443. White House Situation Room Checklist1
1. Congressman Wolff’s Meeting with President Zia: In a meeting with Congressman Wolff’s delegation, President Zia gave his assessment of the current situation in Afghanistan and urged a “policy of patience” for the U.S. in dealing with Iran’s holding of our hostages. Responding to Wolff’s question, Zia indicated that a “major positive change” in the Afghan situation was the active role Iran was now playing, particularly at the recent Islamic conference.2 Zia expressed regret of his inability to “convince the U.S. that Afghanistan should be the top priority”, even while our hostages continue to be held. While recognizing the limited success of the Olympic boycott and trade restrictions in response to the Soviet invasion, Zia stressed the need for the Afghan “freedom fighters” to have access to modern weapons. Without such weapons the rebel resistance will collapse in 4 to 5 months as the U.S. is perceived as incapable of action due to the hostage situation and our upcoming elections. Zia indicated to the delegation that “he broke with Dr. Brzezinski” over the issue of arming and supporting the Afghan rebels.3 Though willing to provide a conduit for military aid to the Afghan resistance, Pakistan required in return a U.S. security guarantee, a commitment the $200 million military assistance offer clearly did not fulfill. Zia continued that if U.S. aid levels matched that of the Soviet assistance supplied to Afghanistan, Pakistan would provide the necessary support to the Afghan resistance and be willing to risk a Soviet attack for their efforts. Zia advised that while the U.S. and Pakistan “have our differences,” he desired improved relations and was gratified to see the U.S. increase its defense spending and reassert itself in the world. On the hostages in Iran, Zia advised that the U.S. should let the issue subside from public view since the new assembly may provide a mechanism to resolve the crisis and any threat [Page 1011] or use of force would be counterproductive. (Islamabad 5311, PSN 56785, 56791)4 (C)
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Daily CIA Brief File, Box 28, 6/1/80–6/8/80. Secret; Sensitive. In the upper right-hand corner of the page, Carter wrote: “Zbig, C.”↩
- The Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers met in Islamabad May 17–22.↩
- In telegram 5311 from Islamabad, June 2, the Embassy reported Congressmen Wolff and Nolan’s June 1 meeting with Zia: “When Cong. Nolan noted that the rebels (’freedom fighters,’ Zia admonished) we met today wanted arms not tents and blankets, Zia replied that this was the issue over which ‛we broke with Dr. Brzezinski’ when he advocated arming the Afghans. Zia, invoking the Viet Nam analogy, said that Pakistan was willing to be the Hanoi for the freedom fighters, i.e., source of support and refuge. The Chinese told him they quietly supplied more than $20 billion to North Viet Nam during the war; the Soviets did much more.’” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800270–0012)↩
- See footnote 3 above.↩