NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
ACTION
January 14, 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR JOHN M. POINDEXTER
FROM: WALTER RAYMOND, JR.
SUBJECT: Public Diplomacy Program for South Africa
This memorandum is designed to energize the system. There has been some slowdown domestically after the initial flash of great energy in the fall. Further, the bureaucracy has been woefully slow in crafting the AID program and, even now, it is not as politically relevant as it should be. (N.B. Note Helen Soos' comment at Tab II). Your prompting will give us added power in our interagency discussions.
There is a bureaucratic problem that may arise in some fora. We established the South Africa Working Group under the direction of the IPC so that it would have more effective inter-agency clout than that accorded a sub-element of a geographic bureau in State. This parallels the Otto Reich formula. Elements in State are chipping away at the independence of both of these interagency groups, seeking to return them to the geographic bureaus. We won't get the actions we want that way!
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum at Tab I to Mike Armacost, Chairman of the IPC.
Approve - Disapprove -
Phil Ringdahl concurs
cc: Helen Soos
Attachments
Tab I: Memo to Armacost
Tab II: Memo fr Soos, Jan 9, 86
Tab III: McFarlane to SPG Principals, Sep 5, 85
Tab IV: Your Memo to Armacost, Nov 1, 85
Tab V: Platt to McFarlane Memo, Nov 19, 85
DECLASSIFY ON: OADR
[end p1]
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM FOR MICHAEL H. ARMACOST
Under Secretary for Political Affairs Department of State
SUBJECT: Public Diplomacy Program for South Africa (U)
The SPG was briefed on the comprehensive public diplomacy plan for South Africa submitted by the Department of State on October 1. A status report from the South Africa Working Group, via the IPC, to the NSC on progress to implement this plan was requested to be submitted by November 30. A detailed report has not been received to date. I request that you develop a comprehensive look at what has been done in this field and forward a paper on that subject to the White House by January 31.
I am particularly concerned about the development and implementation of the public diplomacy educative program in the U.S. This will be vital as certain domestic political groups will mobilize their efforts for another crack at Congressional legislation this spring. At the same time the report should provide a detailed description of the AID program, paying particular attention to high-profile activities in South Africa designed to foster the President's program. If, for financial reasons, we are to settle for a $20 million AID program in FY 86, most of this should be spent in South Africa. Every effort should be made to demonstrate that constructive engagement can help those disadvantaged by apartheid as well as to provide vehicles to help facilitate political reconciliation and change. It should be clear that the AID program can be used to send a political signal.
I would ask that you review the public diplomacy plan which was submitted in October and provide a revised strategy paper if you believe adjustments are warranted. I remain concerned about our need to see to concert our resources with those of our allies, particularly in Europe, to generate greater support for our policies on this subject.
DECLASSIFY ON: OADR
As stated previously, all agencies are requested to ensure necessary resources and personnel are made available, as required, to the working group and in the field. I would like to receive your assurance that this has happened.
cc: Administrator, Agency for International Development Director, United States Information Agency
The Secretary of Defense