CENTRAL AMERICA: U.S. POLICY ON THE SEARCH FOR A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP97M00248R000600100004-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 28, 2014
• Sequence Number: 4
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/04/28: CIA-RDP97M00248R000600100004-0
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SECRE SITIVE
National Security Decision
Directive Number
Executive Registry
86. 2165x/1
CENTRAL AMERICA: U.S. POLICY ON THE SEARCH FOR A
NEGOTIATED SOLUTION
As stated in NSDD-124 of February 7, 1984, it is an objective
of the United States in Central America to seek the resolution
of regional disputes and conflicts through dialogue and the
achievement through negotiations of political settlements with
verifiable agreements. The National Security Planning Group
meeting of May 16, 1986 reaffirmed that our objectives in
Nicaragua are 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. (S)
The NSPG reviewed recent developments in the Contadora
negotiations and other diplomatic fora. It was agreed that the
deadline of June 6, 1986, which the Contadora Group has set for
signing of a treaty, has created a volatile situation, with
possible negative consequences for U.S. strategic interests ana
policy objectives. U.S. interests and objectives would be
seriously damaged by an outcome in which the five Central
American countries sign an agreement which fails to implement
the verifiable provisions that do not allow Nicaragua to
circumvent its commitments. A flawed treaty, particularly one
which did not provide concrete mechanisms for assuring and
verifying compliance with commitments for national
reconciliation and democratization, could facilitate the
consolidation of a Marxist/Leninist regime in Nicaragua and
jeopardize U.S. security interests in the hemisphere. (S)
The NSPG took note that the governments of Honduras, El
Salvador and Costa Rica are now supporting a Contadora treaty
draft which provides for strong measures, with a good
verification system, to deal with our security objectives in
Nicaragua, including reduction of the Nicaraguan military
apparatus and continued ability to conduct joint U.S./Central
American military exercises as required. However, the treaty
version supported by our Central American friends does not set
specific steps to achieve a reliable verification system or
contain a specific timetable for ensuring Nicaraguan compliance
with the treaty's internal political commitments. (S)
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Therefore, the Secretary of State should pursue a negotiations
strategy designed to achieve our Nicaraguan objectives as
previously stated. To this end, he should undertake the
following actions:
(1) Continue efforts to encourage the governments of
Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala to
insist that a Contadora treaty must achieve the
political and security objectives defined in the
Contadora Document of Objectives, with emphasis on the
need for a comprehensive package in which all
commitments are simultaneously implemented, with
concrete verification procedures to ensure compliance.
(2) State to the presidents of the four Central American
democratic countries our serious concern that their
governments are now supporting a draft treaty which
does not provide for clearly verifiable implementation
by the Government of Nicaragua of national
reconciliation and democratizaiton, which must include
full political participation by the internal and
external opposition. Strongly urge the four
presidents to insist that a clear timetable for
implementation of political commitments be inserted or
annexed to the Contadora treaty.
(3) State to the governments of the Contadora and Support
Group countries our strong support for the security
provisions advocated by the Central American
democracies and concern with the shortcomings in all
existing treaty drafts concerning implementation of
political commitments.
(4) In coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury,
review and recommend economic policy measures which
could be taken to influence the Central American
policy of the Contadora and Support Group countries.
An action plan on these measures should be provided
for review by the NSPG by May 23, 1986. .
(5) In coordination with the Director of the USIA, devise
a public diplomacy strategy to support the negotiating
position adopted by the Central American democracies.
(6) In public statements and in briefings to Congress,
state that the U.S. will support an agreement which
meets our objectives, as stated above, but that the
U.S. would not consider itself bound to support an
agreement which fails to achieve in a verifiable
manner the agreed objectives of the Contadora process.
(7) Educate the Congress and public concerning the
provisions of the Contadora treaty draft supported by
the Central American democracies, making particular
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note of the fact that the treaty would not require any
actions to be taken on signature, only on ratification
by all five parties. Congress should be informed that
this implementatin schedule would also apply to
assistance to the Nicaraguan resistance; any
termination of assistance prior to ratification would
not be required and would be contrary to the
fundamental principle of simultaneity. (S)
(8) In coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the
Director of CIA, review and recommend alternative
means of obtaining our security objectives in
Nicaragua should the Contadora process fail to achieve
a satisfactory treaty by 6 June 1986.
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