Office of the Historian

336. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Turner to the Chairman of the Special Coordination Committee (Brzezinski)1

Washington, November 25, 1980

SUBJECT

  • The Afghanistan Covert Action Program (S)

Subsequent to David Aaron’s October 27, 1980, memorandum authorizing a total FY 1981 Afghanistan Covert Action Program of $60 million,2 it has been determined, in consultation with our Saudi and Pakistani allies, that the program justifies a higher level of support. Per our earlier conversations, I believe we should increase the FY 1981 total to $80 million.3

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During an early November 1980 meeting in Saudi Arabia, John McMahon was informed by General Akhtar, head of the Pakistani intelligence service, that the Pakistanis were now in a position to distribute into Afghanistan as many weapons as we could provide.4 Prince Turki, head of the Saudi intelligence organization, agreed that the program should receive increased support. In anticipation of this increased level, we are planning appropriately larger purchases and expansion of the existing logistics mechanism.

I therefore request approval of a total FY 1981 program of $80 million which we would share equally with Saudi Arabia. Of this total, $60 million was previously authorized as a consequence of the 7 July 1980 SCC meeting ($20 million) and David’s memo of 27 October ($40 million). Thus this memo specifically requests $20 million of new authority.5

Stansfield Turner6
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office File, For President or Brzezinski Only File, Box 88, PA—Very Sensitive: 10–12/80. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].↩
  2. Attached but not printed. In the October 27 memorandum to Carlucci, Aaron noted that the October 17 request for fiscal year 1981 funding for the Afghanistan covert action program, totaling $60 million, was approved. Aaron further noted that $40 million of the total was new funding, added to the $20 million previously authorized in July 1980; and that the total of $60 million would be split evenly between the United States and Saudi Arabia. If other countries elected to contribute funds to aid the Afghan insurgents, Aaron directed that the current “ceiling will be raised accordingly.” Carlucci’s October 17 memorandum requesting the funding increase was not found. In a memorandum for the record, November 5, Denend noted that Brzezinski signed a recommendation to approach OMB to increase total expenditures to $70 million. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 1, Afghanistan: 5/80–1/81)↩
  3. In a November 26 memorandum to Aaron, attached but not printed, Gregg noted that OMB was “on board” with this expenditure increase of $35 million, representing the U.S. half of the new total of $70 million.↩
  4. This statement likely confirms that Pakistan accepted the U.S. offer of the Redeye missiles. See Document 333.↩
  5. Brzezinski undoubtedly approved the recommendation. For the July 7 SCC(I) meeting, see Document 298.↩
  6. Carlucci signed for Turner.↩