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

53. Notes of a United States Information Agency Director’s Staff Meeting¹

Washington, August 9, 1965

Director’s Staff Meeting Mr. Anderson, Chairman

Mr. Marks was introduced by Mr. Anderson and expressed his pleasure at the opportunity to talk to the group. He summarized his background and interest in communications, which he termed the lifeline of civilization, and emphasized his firm belief in the work of the Agency. Overseas experience has given him a familiarity with and respect for USIS activities, as well as an insight into the conditions and responsibilities of life in the foreign service. In the latter regard, he has urged on the Hill support for the lateral entry legislation which has his full endorsement.

Mr. Marks said that he had been reviewing the memos he requested from element heads on problems and was impressed by the candor of the presentations, a frankness that he wants to continue without inhibition in the future during the decision making dialogue.² The present organizational structure will remain intact and no staffing changes are planned.

Mr. Marks also commented on the selection of Robert Akers as Deputy Director, and of Howard Chernoff as his Executive Assistant. He characterized them, both of whom he has worked with and known for many years, as professionals of outstanding ability and experience. They will enter on duty, with Mr. Marks, on September 1.

Mr. Posner (IOA)—The Senate Appropriations committee is to mark up our appropriation on Monday.³ If the figure agrees with the House markup we will know where we stand. The Program Review Committee on Tuesday will take a first look at funding for the fiscal year. A review already made by IOA/B of our expenditures finds that we are living beyond our means and will have to undertake a modest cutback.

The Agency is getting 10,000 square feet in Tempo R which will help to alleviate the IBS space problem.

Mr. Shea (IAE)—The President’s press conference on Viet-Nam appears from the reaction in Europe to have bucked up our friends and toned down our critics.⁴

Adverse weekend reaction to the stories of U.S. Marines burning a Vietnamese village did not materialize in the depth anticipated.⁵

Mr. Carter (ITV)—Nuestro Barrio is now showing in 14 Latin American countries.⁶ With only one exception, telecasts are in prime time.

Gideon’s Trumpet is completed and information on screenings for the areas and media will be out this week.⁷

There is enough footage on Adlai Stevenson, originally shot for a 30-minute Report From America on the UN, to do an hour documentary on him as well.

Mr. Montgomery (IGC)—Stanley Plesent has been asked to report from Bangkok on the Teak negotiations and is expected back within 10 days.⁸

There is still some interest in the House Armed Services Committee in the possibility of TV for Viet-Nam. We have reported our views and offered to have our technical people discuss the matter on the Hill.

Mr. McNichol (IOS)—New security restrictions in the State Department building were responsible for the difficulty experienced by members of the Advisory Committee on International Book Programs in entering the building, as reported by Mr. Harris of ICS. ID cards are now needed for admission at any entrance. The 23rd street entrance is now open only during the 8–9 and 5–6 rush hours. All others are open during business hours.

Mr. Stevens (IMS)—At the Moscow Film Festival the films in competition were of relatively low caliber and lacked the interest of the out-of-competition offerings shown to the general public.⁹ An estimated 600,000 saw such American films as Lilies of the Field and Mary Poppins.¹⁰ In the short film competition, more small countries were represented this year, and the films of the Communist countries showed a noticeable shift from the anti-fascist theme of the past to anti-imperialism. The jury of 18, most of them eastern Europeans, showed an impressive open-mindness. The loosening influence on a closed society of an event where 54 countries are represented is significant.

Mr. Stephens (IRS)—The picture for the Near East part of the World Survey is dark. Pakistan is out. We have cancelled the Egyptian portion after the contractor left the country. Ceylon may not allow a survey and prospects for Iran are questionable.

State is developing clearance procedures for overseas research projects under government auspices under terms of the recent Presidential directive.¹¹ All our research will be involved. The preliminary plan is for a research council to review all projects.

Mr. Adamson (IBS)—Indications are that the price is rising in the Teak negotiations.

A three-part series on freedom of information has been completed for use to under-developed areas, and we are doing commentaries leading to the anniversary of the Alliance for Progress.

On the technical side we have reached a new operating agreement with BBC on charges for facility use, a 15-day reception survey in the USSR has been approved by Embassy Moscow, and the frequency meeting in Toronto has been concluded with the next one scheduled for London.

Mr. Barnsley (IAF)—Introduced Barry Zorthian, PAO Saigon, who is here for consultation.

We will close our libraries in Burma when the Ambassador¹² returns there. Books will be turned over to other libraries and some presented to the government if it appears they will be properly handled. There will be resultant reductions in both American and Burmese staff.

It is too early to assess the effects on our operation of Singapore’s separation from Malaysia.

Mr. Miller (IAN)—Observed in India that newsmen were well informed on Viet-Nam and many were sympathetic to the U.S. Our willingness to talk peace, contrasted to the intransigence of the Communists, counts heavily in our favor. Most of those spoken to did not believe our policy was working and feared escalation into a major war with the Chinese. Current common misconceptions are that the Viet Cong control 90% of the country, most Vietnamese do not want the U.S. there, and that there is major opposition by Americans to United States policy.

There was discussion of visits by Indian and other journalists to Viet-Nam in which Mr. Zorthian noted the willingness of the Mission to program such visits. They are considered effective and should be encouraged although funds are not unlimited and the numbers involved work against the red carpet treatment.

Mr. Weld (IAA)—Favorable attitudes are appearing in Mali and will be worth watching. Peiping’s interest in the country is reflected in reports of four films being dubbed in the Bambara language by Malian film technicians currently in China on visitor grants.

Mr. Brown (IAL)—An Act of Reconciliation which would establish a provisional government is to be presented to the contending Dominican factions by the OAS and represents a major effort toward solution of the crisis.¹³

Mr. Littell (IAS)—Photo exhibits on Viet-Nam are showing in Warsaw, Sofia and Prague. Themes are U.S. aggression and atrocities, the heroic resistance of the Vietnamese, and world-wide reaction to U.S. aggression.

Warsaw has reported that last fiscal year the more than 4,000 film loans were seen by audiences totaling more than 400,000, a good record for eastern Europe.

Mr. Brooke (I/IG)—Inspections will begin this month with Oslo scheduled for August 18 and Guayaquil for August 23.

Mr. Cannon (IPS)—We answered a White House request last week with a quantity of the pamphlet, “Mr. President” for distribution to foreign visitors.

Mr. Doster (IPT)—Senior officer assignments:

Taylor Peck—Cultural Affairs Officer, Madrid

1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director: Executive Secretariat; Staff Meeting Notes, 1953–1965, Entry P–123, Box 3, Director’s Staff Meeting, 1965. Confidential. No drafting information appears on the notes.
2. Copies of these briefing memoranda are in the Johnson Library, Papers of Leonard H. Marks, Box 27, Briefing Papers on Major Problems of All Elements of Agency.
3. August 16.
4. For text of Johnson’s July 28 press conference, see Public Papers: Johnson, 1965, Book II, pp. 794–803.
5. See “Burning of Village Described,” New York Times, August 4, 1965, p. 2; and Jack Langguth, “Marines Defend Burning of Village,” New York Times, August 6, 1965, p. 3.
6. Reference is to a Spanish-language television program produced by the United States Information Agency in 1965. See Robert E. Dallos, “U.S. Selling U.S. with Soap Opera,” New York Times, March 29, 1967, p. 91.
7. Television documentary produced by the U.S. Information Agency in 1965.
8. Reference is to the Project TEAK negotiations that took place in Bangkok to improve broadcasting capabilities in Thailand. See Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. XXVII, Mainland Southeast Asia; Regional Affairs, Documents 63 and 344.
9. The Moscow film festival ran from July 5 to July 7.
10. “Lilies of the Field” was released in 1963 and “Mary Poppins” was released in 1964.
11. Reference is to the President’s August 2 letter to Rusk in which he noted: “Many agencies of the Government are sponsoring social science research which focuses on foreign areas and people and thus relates to the foreign policy of the United States. Some of it involves residence and travel in foreign countries and communication with foreign nationals. As we have recently learned, it can raise problems affecting the conduct of our foreign policy.” As a result, Johnson required that all such research undergo Secretary of State review: “Therefore I am asking you to establish effective procedures which will enable you to assure the procedures which will enable you to assure the propriety of Government-sponsored social science research in the area of foreign policy.” (Department of State Bulletin, August 23, 1965, p. 323)
12. Reference is to U.S. Ambassador to Burma Henry Byroade.
13. The Act of Reconciliation was an agreement to establish a provisional government in the Dominican Republic and was signed by the conflicting parties on August 31. See Paul Hofmann, “Dominican Rebels Sign O.A.S. Accord on Interim Regime,” New York Times, September 1, 1965, p. 1; and Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. XXXII, Dominican Republic; Cuba; Haiti; Guyana, Document 128.