4109 - MEMORANDUM l1 NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL spem' July 10 1979 INFORMATION MEMORANDUM FOR ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI FROM THOMAS THORNTO JERRY OPLINGER SUBJECT VBB Breakfast -- Zia Letter JR'f' You have the letter to Zia of Pakistan and are holding it to discuss with Vance at the VBB Much of the steam has gone at least is shifting more how Vance will come out on points in case he wants to out of State on this one and Newsom to our point of view I don't know this but here are some talking press the issue Getting Zia to put his offer in writing i e that Pakistan will conduct no nuclear explosions of any kind is not all that useful It will not constitute the ttreliable assurance that would permit waiver of the Symington Amendment nor will it cut any ice with the Indians f e'r Although it would be generally useful to have its very limited value does not warrant using the President at this point Let's keep him in reserve Also let's not pursue this until we can see how it fits into the strategy proposals that Gerry Smith is working on and will have ready in 4-6 weeks If Vance insists and you want to go to a fallback we offer the following in order of preference 1 When Art Hummel sees Zia in a few days have him suggest to to Zia that he give us a written guarantee 2 If the President has to be involved at least don't have him ask for a written guarantee simply have him write that he was glad to hear of Zia's assurances This will be an adequate record A draft letter along these lines is at Tab A of the package you are holding µ -t 3 Yield to Vance and have the letter sent that State originally drafted Tab B of the package y - s ORIGINAL CL BY Thomas Thornton D DECL@ m vw July 10 ON EXT BYND 6 nARS BY REASON 19ss t t ------