U.S. Department of State

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C.20506

January 22, 1970

National Security Study Memorandum 87

TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Administrator of Agency for International Development
The Director, U.S. Information Agency

SUBJECT: Trends and U.S. Options in North Africa

The President has directed a review of the trend of events in North Africa and of U.S. programs, policies and options there.

This review should give attention to, though not be limited by, the following:

--the prospect for the further spread of radical government; --the prospect and likely character of political and economic cooperation among the North African countries; --the likely Soviet and radical Arab role in those countries; --the role of European countries; --the relationship of the Arab-Israeli impasse to trends in North Africa; --present U.S. programs and policies and resources available for furtherance of U.S. interests; --U.S. options in response to trends.

The President has directed that a National Intelligence Estimate be prepared by the intelligence community and that an options paper be prepared by the Interdepartmental Group for Africa. This paper should be submitted to the NSC Review Group by March 18.

[signed] Henry A. Kissinger

cc: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director, Bureau of the Budget