US POLICY TOWARDS THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR: STATUS REPORT ON NSDD-114

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R000400740033-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 33
• Publication Date: December 19, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

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December 1, 198 3
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ME:MORANDiJi4 TO FIR. ROBERT C. MCFARLI
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: US Policy 'a'o.:4ards the Iran-Iraq War:
Status Report on NSDD-114
To aid the discussion at the December 22 NSPq on the Iran-
Iraq war, this memo sunmarizes the steps we have taken recently
2nd others we are planning as part of our impleme t atioaa of the
NSD D-1.14 strategy on the Iran-Iraq war and Persian Gulf secu-
rity.
We are pursuing both diplomatic steps and military planning
cil2as: ures Our immediate priority is to take all ossible
di.pIoiinatJ.c and polit.ic:).l actions to bring about a, negotiated
:;,::t:.tlewent arid, failing that, to prevent an escalation of the
111a The military planning element of our approach is try.
undertake with key Allies and regional friends th.e advanced
k.~?ranning for military cooperation required to ensue an effoc--
trve multinational response to military threats to freedo, of
~rra3yiy:a .ion for non-belligerents in the Gulf or to attac:,>s on
rq.ioe,al c.tates, when assistance is requested.
~)i~alc~~aa~:2c i
we are currently pursuing four diplomatic initiatives aimed
at reducinq escalatory pressures, giving Iran an incentive to
end the war, and establishing the basis for Western action
within the UN should the conflict escalate.
~II
o Discussions with Yraca: Ambassador. Rusnzfelcl plans to
raise (December 20) with Saddam Hussein our concern that Iraqi
attacks on Iranian oil exports, with the likelihood of Iranian
counter-escalation and a possible resulting disruiption of oil
supplies, would be damaging to oil importing countries
throughout the world and could undermine sympathy in those
countries towards Iraaq. We will Also be encouracing other
countries who may have somD influence with Iraq (e.g., Japan)
to reinforce this message.
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On a related issue, ostr charge in Batjhd.ad has !informed lra
t:ha4: tie ta~.;c very seriously reports that Iraq has bsed CU
a.ajainst Iron and that- tha, damages Iraq's international i.e,l+gv
~.3 well as our efforts in the UN and elsejataiare to bait -i11 C,1
usie . The Iraqi off cia:1 "jho received our demarche den?.ir; d any
-iqi CW use. Via! Will as' .,aetheless continue our effort to h ifig
:7bout as h(-,Alt of Iraqi CU activity, including possible use of
9.n er~lediaric~s to carry mar viessage to Baghdad and
tare..
,ic nozil A?3g'a,lent in the UN of public reports of Iraqi. c.
n Haltinc Western Ar ,~4; to Iran: We have also 'asked sev,wraa1
c:oua~tgz~a OCOY1alG:al ~..1W.'z2nt3?.o reducing their cans sales to
Si7,:rr, pointing) out that ::nch transfers arc unhelp_zul to the
t!orid community' and mace it easier for Iran to continue.- the war
w thofat pay..ng :i heavy price. In general, the initial, albeit
ialcor~lpar_t , responses to our demaarche have been mildly
'd'co;i ~yine~, t:Tith many Allies agreeing rh: t the issue of aaxxa3
to ' 1k rln is a legitioate area for diploaTlrat; c discus iioda.
rn r;o`an cams, however, concern h:as been'c,spresset4 about the
ir,ip:act of an anus cart.-off on other core-erciaal xeln bons.
o US T-Ziaort Controlzs on Ita9n: Wcy are r eecorimev dirig furthuzr
~.:av1S: .t. cprn :x. ~ci i s ; cr ran. 17:e are moving to add :fie?l31 ;?r
S. .1' i:?} ko~ it brat, t.ilCre y subjecting Iran to controls aiAiii krtr
. to e in of fect for S raa and South `ar( Q:.). t T-a