Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

57. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, June 22, 1971.

SUBJECT

• Minutes of the Meeting of the 40 Committee, 22 June 1971

PRESENT

• Mr. Kissinger, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Packard, Mr. Johnson, Admiral Moorer, and General Cushman
• Mr. Richard E. Davies and Mr. James R. Schlesinger were present for Item 1.
• Mr. John Holdridge was present for Item 2.
• Mr. William Broe was present for Items 3 and 4.
• Mr. Thomas Karamessines, Mr. Wymberley Coerr, and Colonel Richard Kennedy were present for all items.

1. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Alexis Johnson explained that he had Richard E. Davies along because the RFE/RL matter was getting down to the wire on interim funding.

Mr. Kissinger said that higher authority had just said that he would call Senator Ellender tomorrow if those concerned felt it would do any good. Mr. Kissinger offered to call Representative Mahon on the continuing resolution. (A call was placed and contact made before the conclusion of the meeting; Rep. Mahon said he would first have to talk with his staff.)²

Mr. Packard observed that Senator Ellender had said he was going to knock $500,000,000 from the intelligence budget and that intervention by higher authority might be needed again.

Mr. Kissinger again asked who thought a call to Ellender would work.³

Mr. Schlesinger said we needed all the help we could get. The USIA budget was currently under examination and to lay on the continuing resolution of funding through USIA was about the only option left.⁴

Mr. Karamessines was sure it was worth trying.

Mr. Schlesinger said it could be done by stretching the law; there was some precedent and there existed a general authority for assistance to “private parties.”

Mr. Karamessines pointed out that the continuing resolution might make it more difficult for the Case proposal: If you can fund things for short periods via continuing resolution, why would there be a need for this new bill?, or so the negative argument might go.

Mr. Johnson said on the émigré support problem—an ancillary to the Radios, for which no resolution would account—it had been determined that it was technically and legally possible for State to cope, except for the funds [less than 1 line not declassified].

Mr. Schlesinger said that could be solved by a budget amendment.⁵

Mr. Johnson raised the name of the President of Campbell Soup Corporation, William Beverly Murphy, as a likely man for the American Council for International Communications, Inc., should that concept be enacted.

Mr. Mitchell said he knew the man favorably and that he was actually upstairs in the White House at the moment. Mr. Karamessines said he had the endorsement of CIA. Mr. Kissinger said he would check on him promptly.

[Omitted here is discussion of items 2–4.]

1. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Minutes. Secret; Eyes Only. Presumably drafted by Kennedy on June 25.
2. According to a memorandum from Haig to MacGregor, June 25, Mahon and the House Appropriations Committee supported continued funding for RFE and RL through CIA as part of the continuing budget resolution. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 379, Subject Files, Radio Free Liberty & Radio Free Europe, Vol. I)
3. On the same day as the 40 Committee meeting, June 22, Kissinger sent a memorandum to the President urging him to call Chairman Ellender. He wrote: “You agreed yesterday to call Chairman Ellender of the Senate Appropriations Committee to try to persuade him to acquiesce in the continued funding of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty via the CIA appropriation as an interim arrangement under the continuing resolution. Congressman Mahon, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, agreed yesterday to such an arrangement. Senator Ellender, however, now reportedly wants to introduce legislation specifically prohibiting continued funding under the CIA appropriation. Nevertheless, I believe there is a 50–50 chance that Senator Ellender will change his mind if you intercede. Because of the complications of USIA funding or other ‘open’ alternatives, it is important to employ Presidential pressure even though the outcome is uncertain.” On the memorandum are two notations by an unknown hand. The first reads: “P. will not call unless he is assured that the call will cause Ellender to acquiesce.” The second note reads: “Will not call.” (Ibid.)
4. In another June 22 memorandum to the President, Kissinger wrote: “An arrangement which might meet Senator Ellenderʼs objections would be to fund the Radios under USIAʼs appropriation. Director Shultz feels this is the only viable alternative for obtaining temporary funding. However, this ‘open’ arrangement has a number of shortcomings.” (Ibid.) On June 25 the Senate Appropriations Committee voted as part of a continuing budget resolution to fund RFE and RL through USIA for fiscal year 1972. Congress approved the joint resolution, P.L. 92–38, on July 1. On June 25 Haig wrote to MacGregor: “[W]e had to accede to the USIA ‘open’ funding route in order to save the radios.” (Ibid.)
5. On October 27 Rogers wrote to Nixon: “Over the past 22 years selected exiles from eastern Europe who have rendered valuable services to the United States have been supported indirectly by the Central Intelligence Agency through Radio Free Europe (RFE) and Radio Liberty (RL). This support will end in FY-1972 when covert funding of the Radios ceases. The Administrationʼs proposal (Case Bill) and other bills being considered by Congress which would provide overt, appropriated funds for broadcasting by RFE/RL would not authorize payments to these selected émigrés…. The Department and other agencies concerned in the 40 Committee … have concluded that the United States should continue its support of selected East European émigrés, who now number only 55…. The Department of State is prepared to assume responsibility for this activity by arranging personal stipends to be paid overtly under authority granted by the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (PL 87–510)…. As most of the exiles are well over 60 years of age, it is proposed to arrange for the purchase of annuities from a private insurance company…. The cost of this one-time program would be $1,850,000, which could be obtained through a Presidential Determination Order under Section 2(c) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act.” In response, Nixon signed Presidential Determination 72–6 on November 1, which provided the requested $1,850,000 for use by the Secretary of State under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, RAD RFE)