Page 330 - Argentina - Carter, Regan, and Bush VP

No Objection To Declassification in :-ull 2012/12/12 : NLC-17-141-3-9-5

MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 3^

June 10, 1980

•GQNFIDENTIAIT
INFORMATION

MEMORANDUM FOR: ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI
I
THROUGH CHRISTINE DODSON

FROM THOMAS THORNT^^'''”

SUBJECT: M-B-B Lunch - Hidalgo (U)

We should turn off the Hidalgo atops in Argentina and Chile
for the following reasons:

1. We do not want to deflect attention from Bdwdler's visit
to Argentina in July. This will be the key step in our policy
execution in the area and the Argentines should get no mixture
of signals. Another "symbolic" visit will not impress the
Argentines.

2. It will be very hard to keep a visit to Chile from appear­
ing to be a gesture to make up for the UNITAS decisions. There
is no reason for us to apologize for that decision.

Note, by the way, that there is no substantive reason for
Hidalgo to go to Latin America and it diverts him from the
Caribbean area where such a visit could be useful . At least
the visit could be postponed.

If the decision is to go ahead, however, it is critically
important that Hidalgo be under close control from the
political side so that he correctly enunciates our policy.
Mechanically this would involve: (

1. Thorough briefings from State and NSC.

2. No contacts with Senior Argentine or Chilean officials
or the local press unless in the company of the Ambassador
or DCM.

3. Perhaps a competent, Spanish-speaking Department officer
along on the trip.

CONFIDENTIAL—
Review on June 10, 1986

No Obiection To Declassification in Full 2012/12/12 : NLC-17-141-3-9-5