United States National Security Council

“ The United States should seek to assist in the economic development of Latin America by:
a. Encouraging Latin American governments to recognize that the bulk of the capital required for their economic development can best be supplied by private enterprise and that their own self-interest requires the creation of a climate which will attract private investment. ”

“ An orderly political and economic development in Latin America so that the states in the area will be more effective members of the hemisphere system and increasingly important participants in the economic and political affairs of the free world. c. The safeguarding of the hemisphere, including sea and air approaches, by individual and collective defense measures against external aggression through the development of indigenous military forces and local bases necessary for hemisphere defense. ”

“ The situation in Baghdad determines nationwide trends; its stabilization has been seen as key to a unified Iraq. The Government of Iraq has not yet delivered promised essential services. Limitations on operations have hindered the execution of security plans. Force levels overall in Baghdad have been inadequate to stabilize a city of its size. Iraqi support for the Coalition has declined substantially, in part due to failure of security over the past year. In the absence of security, communities are turning to “self-help.” ”

“ Iraqi leaders have not yet achieved a single vision for a unified Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have grown in effectiveness, but the levels of violence with which they must cope continue to increase. Professionalism and effectiveness are improving but are not yet consistent across the force. ”

“ A greater utilization of the Organization of American States as a means of achieving our objectives, which will avoid the appearance of unilateral action and identify our interests with those of the other American states. ”

“ Iran has been cultivating influence in Iraq through all means at its disposal. Iran’s threat involves both lethal action and the burrowing of Iranian actors into Iraqi institutions. Syrian actions, while posing less of a strategic threat to Iraq than Iranian actions, exacerbate the tactical challenge faced by the Iraqi government. Present Situation We have achieved many of our initial objectives in Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s regime is no longer an organized threat to Iraq, its neighbors, or the United States. Iraq is governed by a freely elected government under a permanent constitution. ”

“ Concurrently, there is an increasing popular demand for immediate improvement in the low living standards of the masses, with the result that most Latin American governments are under intense domestic political pressures to increase production and to diversify their economies. ”

“ Undertaking a thorough study of the means by which we can assist Latin American capital to play a more vigorous and responsible role in economic development of the area. 8. The United States should encourage the institution of necessary Latin American government fiscal, budgetary and other measures which are indispensable to economic progress in the area through utilization of the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank, the Export–Import Bank, and other appropriate means. ”

“ A realistic and constructive approach to this need which recognizes the importance of bettering conditions for the general population, is essential to arrest the drift in the area toward radical and nationalistic regimes. ”

“ Where necessary the United States should assist in the protection of sources and processing facilities of strategic materials and land transportation related thereto. However, each of the Latin American countries should organize its own civil defense. ”