DISCUSSION FOR NSC MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 1982 - CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 15
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
TOP SECRET
NSC review completed
DISCUSSION FOR NSC MEETING
February 18, 1982
In our immediate neighborhood, the Caribbean Basin, we fathreat
both a long-term and a short-term threat. The long-term
is economic underdevelopment and weak political institutions.
The near-term threat is externally supported subversion which
exploits the above conditions.
To meet these threats, the United States has developed a
comprehensive strategy utilizing economic, political and
security measures:
A. Accelerate Economic Development in Friendly States
A major US program of trade, investment and aid
has been devel
i
-- one-way free trade area to assure duty-free.
access to US markets for the long term, spurring
trade and investment activities in the Caribbean;
ope :
ve)
(the Caribbean Basin Initiat
investment tax credit and bilateral investment
treaties to enhance the investment climate;
supplemental economic assistance to the private
sector enabling and supporting self-sustaining
commercial activities in the Caribbean and Central
American countries;
-- compensatory measures for Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands.
We are also appealing to US Allies and international
development institutions to increase economic support
for the Caribbean area.
B. Nurture the Evolution of Political Democracy Through:
sustained support for free and internationally
credible elections throughout the region. The
elections in El Salvador are particularly crucial
in our overall program for Central America;
support and indeed champion the democratic process
throughout the region through Radio Marti,
parliamentary exchanges, etc.;
-- strong backing for the Central American Democratic
community;
-- encouragement of Venezuela and Colombia to take
more frequent and active positions in support of
free elections and democratic processes;
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 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
TOP SECRET
-- seeking public support of the Vatican for
democratic processes in the Caribbean;
influencing our friends in Europe and elsewhere
to be supportive of our approach;
maintaining political pressure on Cuba by
restricting the activities of the Cuban mission
to the UN and by closing the Cuban Interests
Section in Washington.
C. Provide a Threshold of Security to Permit Economic
and Political Progress
-- 506A Drawdown of military equipment for El Salvador;
-- supplemental security assistance for Central
America;
-- exploiting Soviet vulnerabilities worldwide;
measures to raise the costs of arms transfers in
the region by Nicaragua, Cuba and the Soviet Union;
measures to improve our own capabilities to
respond to contingencies in the region
The President will present US strategy toward the Caribbean
Basin and Central American region in a speech next week at the
Organization of American States. This speech will be followed
by submission of the Caribbean Basin Initiative legislation to
Congress. Both the speech and submission of the legislation
will trigger a sustained legislative and public affairs campaign
to inform and win the support of the American Congress and people
for this vital national security undertaking.
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Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
1. Overview - The Political, Economic and
Military Elements of the
Caribbean Basin Strategy
2. Economic Elements
3. Investment Tax Credit
4. Public Affairs and Legislative Strategy
Supporting Caribbean Policy
Regan
- Legislative Components and Timing Enders
Congressional Prognosis.
Promotional Activities
o Congressional
o Public Affairs
5. Discussion
Baldridge
Block
Kirkpatrick
6. Closing Remarks
Duberstein
Duberstein
Gergen
Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
URGENT
MEMORANDUM System II
February 18, 1982
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: WILLIAM P. CLARK
SUBJECT: NSC Meeting -- February 19
90088
Discussion
The NSC meeting on February 19 will bring together all of
your Cabinet Officers and advisers (26 people) who must.'
play a role in the successful promotion of your Caribbean
Basin Initiative. At the meeting the individual political,
economic and security components will be reconfirmed (Tab A).
In addition, Dave Gergen and Ken Duberstein will outline
the public affairs and congressional actions to be taken in
connection with the launching of the policy next week. The
centerpiece of this effort will be your speech before the
OAS, now scheduled for next Wednesday at 12:30. (Current
draft at Tab B.)
Tab A Current and proposed measures
Tab B Legislative/public affairs strategy
Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
TOP SECRET
DISCUSSION FOR NSC MEETING
February 18, 1982
In our immediate neighborhood, the Caribbean Basin, we face
both a long-term and a short-term threat. The long-term threat
is economic underdevelopment and weak political institutions.
The near-term threat is externally supported subversion which
exploits the above conditions.
To meet these threats, the United States has developed a
comprehensive strategy utilizing economic, political and
security measures:
A. Accelerate Economic Development in Friendly States
A major US program of trade, investment and aid
(the Caribbean Basin initiative) has been developed:
-- one-way free trade area to assure duty-free.
access to US markets for the long term, spurring
trade and investment activities in the Caribbean;
investment tax credit and bilateral investment
treaties to enhance the investment climate;
-- supplemental economic assistance to the private
sector enabling and supporting self-sustaining
commercial activities in the Caribbean and Central
American countries;
-- compensatory measures for Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands.
We are also appealing to US Allies and international
development institutions to increase economic support
for the Caribbean area.
B. Nurture the Evolution of Political Democracy Through:
-- sustained support for free and internationally
credible elections throughout the region. The
elections in El Salvador are particularly crucial
in our overall. program for Central America;
support and indeed champion the democratic process
throughout the region through Radio Marti,
parliamentary exchanges, etc.;
-- strong backing for the Central American Democratic
community ;
-- encouragement of Venezuela and Colombia to take
more frequent and active positions in support of
free elections and democratic processes;
TOP SECRET
Review Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
seeking public support of the Vatican for
democratic processes in the Caribbean;
-- influencing our friends in Europe and elsewhere
to be supportive of our approach;
maintaining political pressure on Cuba by
restricting the activities of the Cuban Mission
to the UN and by closing the Cuban Interests
Section in Washington.
C. Provide a Threshold of Security to Permit Economic
and Political Progress
?- -- 506A Drawdown of military equipment for El Salvador;
-- supplemental security assistance for Central
America;
-- exploiting Soviet vulnerabilities worldwide;
-- measures to raise the costs of arms transfers in
the region by Nicaragua, Cuba and the Soviet Union;
-- measures to improve our own capabilities to
respond to contingencies in the region
The President will present US strategy toward the Caribbean
Basin and Central American region in a speech next week at the
Organization of American States. This speech will be followed
by submission of the Caribbean Basin Initiative legislation to
Congress. Both the speech and submission of the legislation
will trigger a sustained legislative and public affairs campaign
to inform and win the support of the American Congress and people
for this vital national security undertaking.
TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
 Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5
Approved For Release 2008/03/07: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200400015-5