COUNTRY TEAM MINUTES AUGUST 9, 1978 The Charge opened the meeting by welcoming Harry Burton, the new FAA chief, He then briefly discussed the upcoming Camp David summit, noting that our efforts to have a high-jevel official come to Iran to brief the Shah on this latest stage in the Middle East peace process have so far been unsuccessful. The Charge asked all Counselors and section chiefs to prepare “While You Were Away" memos for the Ambassador's return later this month. The memos should be turned in to Mr. Boyce by August 22-23. General Huyser, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of European forces and Vice Admiral Foley, Commander of the Seventh Fleet, will be visiting Iran in the near future. Mr. Zischke introduced Richard Aker, a new junior officer trainee for ICA. He then discussed recent incidents in Shiraz concerning the Iran-America Society there. Mr. Bannerman reported on the most recent incident, which occurred last night when a crowd of 200, marching directly on the IAS, was dispersed by police. This would be the first time that IAS was specifically singled out, as opposed to being merely one stop enroute to many others. General Gast introduced General George Kertesz,.who is General Secord's replacement and who will be acting as Chief of Armish-MAAG in Genral Gast's absence. General Gast reported the latest news on the F-4s and the Wild Weasel. The Iranians now say they are not interested in the F-4s (sans Group A wiring) because, to meet attrition needs, they prefer the higher-technology F-16s. The same view applies to the Shrikes. On the frigates, the GOI has decided that it wants the NTIS, which provoked Some discussion among the Country Team members ag to how the Dutch and Germans will feel about this. It was concluded that the Germans will be somewhat happier with the news. CONFIDENTIAL,CONFIDENTIAL 2. General Rabii told General Gast that the Iranians are not going to pursue the ATLIS II Laser Desiynator System until the USG decides whether or not it will use St. General Gast said he had left a paper on the Roving Nelicopters on Mr. Martin's desk. The Charge briefed the Country Team on the revived criticism of our military sales program to Iran stemming out of the incident. Dr. Stempel reviewed various social notes from around town as well as the latest political news. He revicwed the basic issues in the problems with the religious leaders, advising also that this appears to be the silly season for the rumor- mongering set. We reported a number of approaches by various high level Iranians who asked him what the Americana were planning to do to help Iran fight communism. He advised the Country Team to be on the lookout for similar odd probes, queries and interrogations. Dr. Stempel continued his report by noting that the Khomeini faction of the religious group are starting to play fairly rough, especially concerning minorities. Mr. Neeley reported that Iran will probably import more feedgrains this year than last. Dr. Adler said he has a copy of the Farsi text of the nuclear bilateral accord and will send it to the Department with a Washington-bound traveler. Mansur told Dr. Adler that he sees August 20 as a likely signing date. Mr. Taylor has finished collating his confidential bank survey. The banks greatly exceeded their expectations regarding loans to Iran, with exposure rising 648 in the last year. S/R: napll 8/10/78 AMB-~~S~SCAOMIN. NEA/TRN AMCONSUL SHIRAZ CONS INR/NEA ISPAHAN DEA ARMISH/MAAG TABRIZ DAO ICA S/A CONFIDENTIALTehran, August 15, 1978 Ble Excelle: amir Abbas Bovey. a Minister of the Taperial Court Tenra: Rxcellesey: I have received a letter for His Imperial Majesty The Shehanshsh from President Carter concerning the fortheoming p David on the Middle 2 would very much sppre- 4 to Hin Imperial from the President. With high est and varm pers Sincerely, Charles W. Nees a’ Affaires ad interin CHARGE: CWNass/svHis Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Aryamebr Shahanshoh of Tran Your Imperial Majesty: I have appreciated the conversations and corres~ Pondence ve have had in the past on matters of high concern to our tvo countries. TI know how seriously you regard the need for reel progress towards a lasting settlement of the Arab-Israel conflict and I wish to share with you some thoughts on the forth- coming Middle East meeting at Camp David. We are gratified that Prime Minister Begin and President Sadat have both responded positively to the invitation to meet vith me next month in a major new effort to establish a framework for a Middle East peace settlement. We have purposely not set a fixed duration for the talks, scheduled to begin on September 6, so as to be able to ellow as much tine as is needed for our efforts to succced. This is an encouraging indication of the seriousness with vnich all parties are approaching this meeting. I extended this invitation because I believe ve have reached a crucial point in the search for Peace in the Middle East. Wine months have passed since President Sadat end Prine Minister Begin opened significant new possibilities for negoti- ating with the historic mectings in Jerusalem and in Ismailia. The sides have made progress toward resolving some of the Issues that divide them atthis time, but recently, a8 you are evere, an impasse was threatened. I am convinced that ve cannot afford an impasse, since the positions vould then harden and the atmosphere deteriorate to the point where the present opportunity for peace could well become another of the lost oppor- tunities that have marked the history of this tragic conflict. The objective at the Camp David meeting will remain us it has been defined by the two sides themselves in negotiations this year: To make progress toward agreement on a framework, based on Security Council Resolution 242, that would allow steady progress tovard agreement on specific issues, within the context of the agreed goal of a stable, just, and comprehensive peace. Such an agreed framework might help to bring other parties to the conflict into the peace negotiations. our experfence in attempting to facilitate and promote negotiations this past year has demonstrated that it 1s impossible to carry negotietions beyond a certain point on the crucial issues unless the Heads of Government themselves can be engaged in a direct exchange. ‘This was one of the considerations that led me to the decision to extend invitations to the two leaders to meet with me at Camp David. Our objective will be to achieve agreements at the political level which can provide guidance for the negotiators on the key issues. I plan to do every- thing within my pover to help President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin achieve the progress for which ve are all searching. As we move into this crucial new phase of Middle East negotiations I wanted to share with you my reasons for taking this step and thoughts about vhat ve hope to accomplish. I know you will agree with my sense of the importance of these talks, vhich hold the prospect of a major step forward, despite the real difficulties. I hope that I can count on you for understanding and full support in the task on which we are embarking.You have met recently with some of the partici- pants and key observers of the negotiations and I Would value your impressions. Iran's support for the peace process has been extremely valuable and ve look forward to continuing cooperation in the interest of world peace. With my best wishes, Sincerely, Jimmy CarterCONFIDENTIAL COUNTRY TEAM MJNUTES August 16, 1978 charge opened the meeting by saying that the Embassy would be issuing a precautionary bulletin concerning the accurity situation, The period of “deep mourning," i.e., Anaust 24-27 and August 31, is to be considered a good time to be quiet and fairly circumspect in one's movements stout town. Section chiefs will inform their employees. The Charge said that the Marine Guards have~had trouble recently in locating the duty officer. He stressed the serious responsibility borne by the duty officer to let the Marines know his whereabouts at all times. he Charge reported on his recent audience with the Shah. The occasion was General Huyser's visit. The Shah strongly ieaffirmed that the liberalization process will continue. Nowever, he is also determined that recent "senseless vandalism" should end. i. Stempel reported on "a couple of odd items." after nix or seven nights of steady violence in south Tehran, the tenor of the demonstrators'rhetoric is swinging toward Isfahan-style anti-Westernism. In a related note, the petitical section will be covering the upcoming military (rials here in Tehran. m. Taylor commented on the divergence in the local press’ coverage of the passage of the foreign aid bill. Depending on which paper you read, it represents either a slap at, or a victory for, President Carter. Mr. Taylor continued his analysis by disclosing the Central Nank's balance of payments forecast, which sees a 17% increase in payments for imports. during a brief discussion of the status of the nuclear bilateral accord, the Charge asked Mr. Carleton to report on yesterday's editorial on the Australian deal. -7-