181. Memorandum From the Senior Adviser on International Narcotics Matters (Vance) to Acting Secretary of State Ingersoll1 2
Circular Telegram to COMs on Drug Control
The recently issued White Paper on Drug Abuse, prepared tor the President by a Domestic Council Drug Abuse Task Force, emphasized the importance of cooperation by foreign governments in meeting our international narcotics control objectives (Tab 1). Pages 99 and 100 contain the Task Force recommendations concerning the international aspects.
Upon reviewing the Report the President stressed his strong personal dedication to strengthened narcotics control efforts. He has also evidenced this in his meetings with the President of Mexico and, more recently, with the Prime Minister of Turkey and the President of Colombia.
It is therefore timely to impress upon Chiefs of Mission the fact that the highest levels of the Department place priority on drug control as an element in our foreign relations.
[Page 2]The Department has been called upon by the White House to respond by December 15, 1975 to the recommendations in the Report which impact upon its responsibilities. The suggested telegram (Tab 2) could most appropriately be cited as part of the Department’s actions in compliance with the White Paper recommendations.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that you approve the attached telegram.
Approve [RSI initialed 10/24/75]
Disapprove
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- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, INM/P Files: Lot 84 D 147. Unclassified. Drafted by Ernst. Tabs 1 and 3 were not found. Tab 2 is a draft version of Document 182.↩
- Vance asked Ingersoll to approve a telegram to all posts emphasizing the importance of international drug control cooperation as highlighted in the White Paper on Drug Abuse submitted to the President by the Domestic Council Drug Abuse Task Force.↩