Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VII, Public Diplomacy, 1964–1968

168. Program Action Memorandum Prepared in the Office of Policy and Research, United States Information Agency¹

R–29–67

Washington, September 1967

TRENDS IN WEST EUROPEAN PUBLIC OPINION ON U.S. POLICY OBJECTIVES

Much of our Western European program—indeed, much of U.S. policy toward Europe—is based on the assumption that similarities of civilization, ethnic composition and socio-economic development make the basic interests of Europeans and Americans similar. The results of this survey, following upon and confirming a similar survey in February, show that the psychological foundation for this approach to Western Europeans is growing shaky.² We are thus faced with a fundamental problem. Some of the questions we need to answer are:

1. What is the nature of the problem?

Are Europeans correct in thinking that their interests are less close to those of the United States than was the case a few years ago? Or are they deluded? To what extent is the change one of mind on the part of individual Europeans? To what extent does it reflect the fact that unlike a few years ago the younger members of our samples are people who did not directly experience as adults the conditions that brought about an Atlantic Partnership?³ In short, to what extent does the problem have psychological roots that USIA can touch?

2. What are the implications of the problem for USIA programming in Europe?

What adjustments ought we to make in (a) the content of our program, (b) our programming techniques? Do we have adequate resources to deal with the problem? Could we do more about it if we had more resources? If so, what should be the increase in each country in personnel, GOE, funds for research? Or are we already spending too much to too little effect?

Action Required

IAE is attempting to grapple with these and related questions in a Regional Analytical Survey⁴ that it is preparing on the basis of CPPM’s, country plans and other information at hand in the Agency at this time.

Posts are invited (but not required) to respond to this PAM at this time. They are, however, required to take the questions stated into account in drafting the next round of CPPM’s and Country Plans. IAE will review submissions in the light of their adequacy as a response to this PAM.

FOR BONN: What do you make of the finding that Germans are not much concerned about possible reductions of U.S. forces in Europe? Reply by Field Message.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, Director’s Subject Files, 1967–1967, Entry UD WW 108, Box 7, IOP—Research, 1967. Confidential.
2. Not further identified.
3. Reference is to the concept articulated by President Kennedy in a July 4, 1962, address in Philadelphia when he said: “Building the Atlantic partnership now will not be easily or cheaply finished. But I will say here and now, on this Day of Independence, that the United States will be ready for a Declaration of Interdependence, that we will be prepared to discuss with a united Europe the ways and means of forming a concrete Atlantic partnership, a mutually beneficial partnership between the new union now emerging in Europe and the old American Union founded here 175 years ago.” (Public Papers: Kennedy, 1962, pp. 537–539)
4. Not further identified.