NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION DIRECTIVE (NSDD), CENTRAL AMERICA: PROMOTING DEMOCRACY, ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT, AND PEACE (NSDD-124)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP97M00248R000500120002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 7, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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W THE WHITE HOUSE W
February 7, 1984
SECRET
w/TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE-attachment
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF.DEFENSE
THE COUNSELLOR TO THE PRESIDENT
THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
UNITED NATIONS
THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE?PRESIDENT
THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
SUBJECT: National Security Decision Directive (NSDD),
Central America: Promoting Democracy, Economic
Improvement, and Peace (NSDD-124) (S)
The President has formally approved the attached National
Security Decision Directive (NSDD-124) on measures to be taken by
the USG to promote democracy, economic improvement, and peace in
Central America. Copies of this directive may not be reproduced.
Please ensure proper handling of this document and the attached
directive to prevent unauthorized disclosure. (S)
FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Robert . riane
Attachment
NSDD-124
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90047
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TOP SECRET SENSITIVE
February 7, 1984
Nct tLo nci S ecuriity
Veci.zion Vinect.ive 124
CENTRAL AMERICA: PROMOTING DEMOCRACY,
ECONOMIC-IMPROVEMENT, AND PEACE (S)
The National Bipartisan Commission on Central America (NBCCA) and
the internal strategy review conducted for the National Security
Planning Group (NSPG) agree that vital U.S. interests are
jeopardized by the continuing crisis in Central America. Despite
political and military gains in the past six months, Costa Rica
and Honduras are increasingly threatened by the continuing
Sandinista military build-up and the lack of real democratization
in Nicaragua. The Sandinistas with Cuban/Soviet Bloc support
continue to export subversion and insurgency throughout the
region. In El Salvador progress on improving democratic
institutions, human rights, economic development, and protecting
internal reform is endangered by the growing, externally-supported
insurgency. (S)
Both the NBCCA and the report to the NSPG endorsed four common
objectives in our approach toward the region:
0 Support for the advancement of democracy and implementation
of a. free and open electoral process in all countries of
Central America.
a Support for economic development, including significantly
increased economic and humanitarian assistance to raise the
standards of living for the people of Central America.
6 Resolution of regional disputes and conflicts through
dialogue and the achievement of political settlements with
verifiable agreements through negotiation.
0 Provision for sufficient security assistance to ensure that
democratic institutions, social reforms, and economic
improvements are not threatened by communist subversion and
guerrilla warfare. (C)
The recommendations of the NBCCA, taken en toto, provide a
valuable framework for achieving these objectives in the mid to
long term. It is important, however, that these recommendations,
which I have endorsed in principle, be adopted in a diplomatic
and security environment that will permit them to succeed. (C)
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In addition to developing an interagency approved comprehensive
legislative proposal to implement the recommendations of the
NBCCA, actions must also be taken in the near term which will
provide for a satisfactory improvement in the present crisis
situation. Therefore, the following measures from the Action
Plan outlined in the Restricted Interagency Group Report "Where
Next in Central America," are approved as a means of ensuring the
successful implementation of the NBCCA proposals: (S)
o The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary,
of Defense and the Directors of Central Intelligence and
Office of Management and Budget, should pursue, in
particular, the following objectives/actions which are
consistent with the NBCCA report:
Nicaragua: Our approach to the Nicaraguan Government
must focus on achieving the following:
(1) Implementation of the democratic commitments made
by the Sandinistas to the OAS in 1979.
(2) Termination of Nicaragua's support to Marxist/
Leninist subversion and guerrilla activity-in any
foreign country.
(3) Removal of Soviet Bloc/Cuban personnel and an end
to Nicaraguan military. cooperation with communist
countries.
(4) Reduction in the Sandinista military apparatus to
parity within the region.
(5) Intensified efforts in the Contadora forum to
achieve the political and security'objectives
defined in the Contadora Document of Objectives,
with emphasis on the need for a comprehensive
package with concrete, verifiable provisions that
do not allow Nicaragua to circumvent its
commitments.
(6) Review-and recommend such economic sanctions
against Nicaragua that are likely to build
pressure on the Sandinistas. Due consideration
should be given to the net economic impact on
Nicaragua, to V.S. public affairs, and to
Congressional concerns. An action plan on these
sanctions should be provided for review by the
NSPG by March 1, 1984.
(7) Reemphasize to the Soviet Union, Cuba, and
Nicaragua that we will not tolerate the
introduction into Nicaragua of advanced fighter
aircraft or Cuban ground forces. (TS)
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El Salvador: Our approach must support the
democratization process and the existing reforms
against attacks from the violent left and the violent
right. Our diplomatic and communications efforts
should seek expanded political support for El Salvador
from non-communisf governments, and assure that if the
communist-led guerrilla coalition again refuses to
participate in the forthcoming elections, their refusal
is made widely known in Latin America and among NATO
and other friendly. countries. The following actions
should be taken in furtherance of these goals: (C)
(1) To effectively support land reform in El Salvador,
funds should be requested in the FY-84
supplemental and an exception sought to the
current prohibition on using AID funds to
compensate owners of expropriated land.
(2) Technial assistance for protecting participants in
the judicial process and improvements in judicial
investigative capabilities should be provided,
utilizing the $3 million earmarked for that
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(3) An assessment of short-term military needs
indicates that the Government of El Salvador will
need additional defense articles, services, and
training before an FY-84.supplemental can be
approved. Therefore, if necessary, action may be
taken to provide requisite resources under the
provisions of Section 21(d) of the Arms Export
Control Act. If 60 days after billing for these
items supplemental funding is still not available,
the 60 day period will be extended up to 120 days.
(4) As part of our strategy to implement the
recommendations of the NBCCA, a comprehensive
legislative/public affairs campaign should be
immediately undertaken to maximize prospects for
approval of'the Administration's proposal and
appropriations at requested levels. (TS)
Guatemala: As Guatemala demonstrates its good faith
toward its commitment to democracy and human rights, we
should restore curtailed aid. Renewed efforts should
be initiated to obtain'new security and economic
assistance programs as progress is ascertained.
Increased efforts shall also be made to arrange a
solution to the Guatemalan/Belize border dispute. (S)
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Mexico: The U.S. should intensify its diplomatic
efforts with the Mexican Government to reduce its
material and diplomatic support for the communist
guerrillas and its economic and diplomatic support for
the Nicaraguan Government. The Department of State
should take the lead in an immediate interagency study
of ways in which we can supplement our persuasive
efforts with-the GOM, bearing in mind overall U.S.
interests and relations with Mexico. This study and
its recommendations should be submitted for review by
the NSPG by February 24, 1984. (S)
Regional Security Assistance. A $259 million FY-84
military assistance supplemental for Central America
($179 million for El Salvador) should be submitted to
the Congress early in 1984. The amount of FY-85
military assistance for Central America should be
increased to $255.9 million through an FY-85 budget
amendment. These requests should be submitted as part
of the Administration's proposals to implement the
recommendations of the NBCCA. .(C)
Public Diplomacy. Our public diplomacy and information
programs/resources should be substantially expanded to
counter the intensive Soviet/Cuban/Nicaraguan
propaganda campaign. Highest priority should be given
to Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, other Latin American
countries, and Western Europe. (C) -
Review of Economic Measures. Since the programs
recommended by the NBCCA will, not have immediate
results, a special interagency task force should be
convened by the Secretary of State to undertake an
urgent review of economic measures to improve near term
prospects for our friends in the region. Actions -
should be examined which would be helpful to those most
immediately threatened by Nicaragua: Honduras, Costa
Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Recommendations and
an action plan for implementation should be submitted
fnr review by the NSPG by March 9, 1984. (S)
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The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary
of State and the Director of Central Intelligence, should
conduct U.S. military activities in the region that are
sufficient to reassure our friends and enhance our
diplomatic efforts. U.S. military assets in the region
should also be employed to increase intelligence collection
and assist in improving security for the Salvadoran
elections: (S)
-- Develop and implement plans for new exercises in
Honduras and naval activities in waters off Central
America in- a manner that- will maintain steady pressure
on the Nicaraguans and deter Nicaraguan military
actions against its neighbors.
-- in conjunction with U.S. military activities and
exercises, U.S. units should continue civic action
oro-iects and humanitarian relief efforts in Central
Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercises (EDRE) should
be conducted in Honduras commencing in March and later
in 1984, as necessary, to demonstrate of our co,%m itment
and resolve.
Regional security assistance teams and the Regional
Military Training Center (RMTC) should be maintained at
levels sufficient to assure the steady improvement of
friendly military forces.
Measures should be taken within our diplomatic and
regional military-to-military relationships to foster
defense cooperation among the Central American
countries. Subject to appropriate funding, U.S.
security assistance should be provided to encourage
such cooperation. (S)
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