ARG 60 MINUTES OF A POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING - 1980/05/14

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Keywords: 1977-1980
• Keywords: ARGENTINA
• Keywords: FRUS
• Keywords: SOUTH AMERICA
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06592927
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 14, 1980

Approved for Release: 2618/09/17 C06592927
Minutes of a Policy Review Committee Meeting
Washington, May 14, 1980, 10:30 a.m. � 11:15 a.m.
1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Thornton,
Subject Files, Box 102, PRC: Argentina, 5/14/80, 5/80. Secret. Sent for information. The
meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.
2. Memorandum of conversation not found. [searched SAS; nothing]
3. See Document XX [Issues paper, 5/12/80].
4. See Document XX [ZB M de Hoz memcon, 5/6/801 and footnote 6, Document XX
[Issues paper, 5/12/80].
5. A reference to the Yacyreta dam project.
6. In telegram 4057 from Buenos Aires, May 15, Castro noted that the idea of such an
invitation had been raised with the GOA three times, and junta leaders had "responded
without much enthusiasm," because "they don't see a visit as an unmixed blessing."
(National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800240-0811) (S)
7. Brzezinski sent a Summary of Conclusions of this meeting to Carter on May 16: Carter
approved them on May 19. In a note at the end of the Summary of Conclusions. Carter
wrote: "I'm inclined to move faster." In.a May 19 memorandum to Muskie, which
enclosed the Summary of Conclusions, Brzezinski called Muskie's attention to Carter's
note. In a May 22 memorandum to Brzezinski. Thornton enclosed a draft weekly report
item for Carter which noted that an Interdgency Group would meet "to develop specific
courses of action flowing from the PRC recommendations. In the first instance, military
contacts will be examined; this is one area where we can move somewhat more rapidly as
you have directed." A note indicates that the weekly report item was not sent to Carter.
(Carter Library, NSC Institutional Files, 1977-81, Box 80, PRC 141 Argentina 5/14/80)
(S)
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION
2972 Add-on
44=s4
AV 6�A
POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
May 14, 1980
TIME AND PLACE: 10:30-11:15 a.m.; White House Situation Room
SUBJECT: Minutes -- PRC Meeting on Argentina (C)
PARTICIPANTS
State
Warren Christopher, Dep.
Secretary
John Bushnell, Dep. Ass't.
Secretary
Defense
W. Graham Claytor, Jr.,
Dep. Secretary
Frank Kramer, Principal
Dep. Ass't. Secretary
Agriculture
James Starkey, Dep.
Under Secretary
Commerce
Luther Hodges, Dep. Secretary
Abraham Katz, Ass't. Secretary
for Internat. Economic Policy
and Research
Energy
Woody Cunningham, Ass't.
Secretary for Nuclear Energy
Arms Control and Disarmament
Spurgeon Keeny, Dep. Director
Richard Williamson, Nuclear
Exports Div. Chief, Bureau
of Nonproliferation
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Lt. General John Pustay
Central Intelligence
Jack Davis, NIO for Latin America
White House
David Aaron
Henry Owen
National Security Council
Thomas P. Thornton
Robert Pastor
The only point of
contact between the Soviet Union and Argentina that raises
longer term concerns is a possible fishing agreement although
Review on May 14, 2000
Extended by Zbigniew Brzezinski
Reason for Extension: NSC 1.13(e)
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
lq
2972 Add-on
A 6�11/
2
even here the Argentine Government is moving to limit its
impact on their people. In addition we are very much con-
cerned about Argentinian/Soviet cooperation in United Nations
organs. Originally the Argentinians only wanted to prevent
the Montaneros from mobilizing Soviet and Cuban support against
the GOA. Over time however this has developed into a cooper-
ative vote trade-off between the two sides. In the coming
months, Bushnell continued, Argentina will have a hard time
taking any positive actions whatsoever due to the imminent
retirement of President Videla. This is certainly true until
the decision on a successor is made in September and probably
the period of inaction will continue until early next year
when a new government is in place. We will not be able to
force major decisions on them in this time. In the shorter
term the main issue is the Argentine fear of condemnation as
a result of the report of the Inter-American Human Rights
Commission. They might make some minor steps on the human
rights front to avert condemnation.
NR
Hodges asked whether Argentine human rights performance has
improved.
Bushnell replied that there has been a major improvement but
there are still gross violations and the system of repression
remains in place. One could say that they have probably killed
most of the people that they wanted to kill, but there are now
fewer political prisoners and in some instances the rule of law
is being followed better.
Hodges reported that the Argentine Economics Minister had assured
him that the current economic olicies would continue under a new
government next year. Hodges pointed out that we have a great
economic potential potential in relations with Argentina and we should do
everything we can to maximize that.
;E(RET,
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
NR
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
NR
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
NR
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
-
2972 Add-on
AK6 Od
5
Hodges said he was encouraged by Christopher's summation) for
the trends in human rights are important. The Commerce Depart-
ment also supports Option B.
Aaron said that we needed a specific program to improve our re-
lations. The options as stated in the paper are too static.
Our goals should be first,
rd,
on
the
At the same time Aaron noted that there is no reason to improve
relations dramatically with Argentina now directly after they
have stuck their finger in our eye on the grain issue. We
should make clear our irritation with them at this time and
then pick up the pieces with a new administration when it
comes into office. We will not be able to get very far with
Videla. We should take the opportunity ,of the new adminis-
tration, however, for turning a new page. If we move to im�
prove our relations with them now we will simply not have the
respect of the Argentinians.
Claytor said that he saw Option C as the desirable goal, less
the repeal of the Humphrey-Kennedy Amendment which would be
impossible. We should do all that we can with the Argentine
military to restore relations between our two armed services.
S,R(T
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
NR
NR
NR
NR
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
NR
,SS�ET
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927
7
2972 Add-on
AR ( 60/7
1. There is enough human rights progress to justify movement
towards improvement in our relationship.
2. Over the next six months events will be conditioned by the
electoral situation in Argentina.
3. We will also have to see whether we need to react to the
Argentinian decision on grain.
These are short-term items which the Interdepartmental Group
can review as it goes along. On the longer term:
4. If there is continued improvement in the human rights situ-
ation in Argentina we should seek improvement in our relations
with the new regime.
The Interdepartmental Group will work out in detail what this
improvement might involVe:4
SEC
Approved for Release: 2018/09/17 C06592927