Page 220 - Argentina - Carter, Regan, and Bush VP

No Objection To Declassification in ;-ull 2012/11/21 NLC-1 -17-240-6
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Ml MORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE
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SECRET SENSITIVE October 10, 1980

THE SITUATION ROOM CHECKLIST

1. Kaunda Concerned by Possibility of a Reagan presidency;
During private discussions with Ambassador Wisner today.
President Kaunda expressed deep concern over the possibility
of a Reagan presidency. He said he was not confident about
Reagan's views on South Africa or the Middle East — two
issues which were immensely important to him personally.
In addition, Kaunda said his recent visit to Eastern Europe
had brought home the critical state of detente and rein­
forced his belief that the President would be better in
dealing with the Soviets than Reagan. While admitting that
American policies do not vary greatly between presidencies,
Kaunda said he nevertheless wanted to warn us of his deep
concern should Reagan be e'ccted, and he asked that his
prayers for the President be communicated. (Lusaka 3928,
PSN 4260) (C)

2. Presidential Message to Viola: In response to the President's
congratulatory message, General Viola expressed his "profound
appreciation" and said he fully reciprocated the President's
belief in the importance of strengthening U.S.-Argentina
relations. Viola said his government would seek to make
U.S.-Argentine relations as productive as possible. He
returned to this theme several times, stating that he believed
the current issues between our two countries were the product
of present circumstances and will "one way or another" be
resolved. The Argentine leader went on to describe the
agenda of his government as one which would seek first to
produce legislation that will allow the political parties
to renew their leadership and "function normally;" to revitalize
the economy "both industry and agriculture;" and to correct
the impression that the government was essentially opposed
to the broader interests of most Argentines. Viola added
that his government had four objectives in the foreign
policy arena, which were to increase the "presence" of
Argentina in the southern cone, •ebuild Argentina's ties
in the Andean Pact, repair and cr-.pand relations with Western
Europe, and restore and strengthen relations with the U.S.
(Buenos Aires 8154, PSN 4066, 4090) (C)
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REVIEW ON OCTOBER 10, 2000 _ * ,.afl V. VnN\H—.----
CLASSIFIED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES t

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Nn Objection Tn Declassification in Full 2012/11/21 : NLC-1-17-2-40-6