NSDD 82 United States Policy Initiatives to Improve Prospects for Victory in El Salvador

THE WHITE HOUSE INNI WASHINGTON TOP BLASSIFIED February 24, 1983 National Security Decision Directive 82 U.S. Policy Initiatives to Improve Prospects for Victory in El Salvador (TS) The deteriorating military, economic and political situation in El Salvador requires immediate and concerted action to reverse current trends. In order that the present situation can be reversed and the stage set for achieving a stable, democratic government in El Salvador, the following initiatives are approved for implementation: A special emissary will be dispatched to confer with the govern- ment of El Salvador and appropriate USG officials on scene regarding political actions which will help the government to seize the initiative. Immediate efforts will be made to obtain $60M in additional military resources for El Salvador. The USG will make a concerted effort to ensure that the current Latin peace initiative does not turn against the U.S. but rather to use this development as a means of furthering the process of democratization in Latin America. Through U.S. military and diplomatic contacts in El Salvador, we will seek to overcome divisiveness and end the political infighting which is debilitating the Salvadoran military establishment. Tactical improvements will be introduced in the Salvadoran military to enable them to launch a full scale country-wide counterinsurgency effort to include civic action and psychological operation. The U.S. military presence in El Salvador will be sufficiently augmented to permit the U.S. to better influence the prosecution of the war. Partially Declassified/Released on 1/11/99 under provisions of E.O. 12958 1.5c by R. Soubers, National Security Council F98-471 cy , 1.8 of copies