Page 319 - Argentina - Carter, Regan, and Bush VP

No Objection To Declassification in

MEMORANDUM FOR: JESSICA TUCHMAN
ROBERT KIMMITT

FROM: ROBERT PASTOR

SUBJECT: Security Assistance

1. While I agree with State that security assistance to Uruguay should
be eliminated and t-Ec Argentina reduced by half, I also agree with
OMB's assessment that Congress will regard that as "tokenism" . I
think the best way to reconcile the two positions, however, is not
in asking State for alternatives but in asking it for a framework to
justify these cuts, Since Argentina and Uruguay have two of the
worst human rights records of all those Latin American nations
receiving security assistance, I don't believe it should be especially
difficult to justify these as opposed to other cuts.

2. Jamaica Assistance. $31.5 million in supporting assistance will not
be sufficient to realize the extravagant claims made by'the State Depart­
ment like relieving their economic crisis or reversing the leftward drift
of the government. But some assistance from the new Administration is
essential to send a new signal to Jamaica, to other Latin American and
Caribbean countries. and to the international community about Jamaica
and about the U.S. It will indicate a new tolerance in U.S. foreign
policy for ideological pluralism which will be well-received in the
Caribbean and in the developing world. (And we should remember that
Jamaica has a democratic government.) The U.S. does not need $31.5
million to send a signal, however,' half of that would be sufficient.

If the U. S. were interested in improving relations with Jamaica,
the worst thing it could do is begin a bilateral assistance program
because before too long, we would raise unrealistic expectations in
the U,.S. that we could transform their government at the same
time that we aggravated nationalistic predispositions in Jamaica.
Even worst would-be to use the money to try to get Jamaica to
accept the IMF S t dsilization package because Jamaica will probably
accept the package anyway arid because $31. 5 bdllion is not su fficafcnt
to persu a;de them and would not be welcomed" as a reward for "good
behavior. " For the moment, then, I woultf recommend that the
President agree to grant only enough assistance to send a signal.
A soft loan for a new hospital in Kingston would be perfect. At the
same time, he should appoint a new Ambassador and make clear
that we are undertaking a compreh ensive review of U.S. policy to
h I ' HI |n.>ejni<n'iyr..H» H.JU! wy.