120. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Irwin) to the Assistant Secretary of State
for Educational and Cultural Affairs (Richardson)1
Washington, December 1, 1970
SUBJECT
- United States Exchange Programs and Leadership Development
As described in the attached November 13 memorandum from Dr. Kissinger, the President has ordered an
inter-agency review of current US exchange
programs.2 I would like you to assume responsibility for
conducting this review and to submit your report to the Under Secretaries
Committee by March 5, 1971.
I ask that you also assume responsibility for implementing the President’s
additional directive that we undertake an interim increase in existing
exchange programs. You should submit an interim report on this matter to the
Under Secretaries Committee by December 22, 1970.
I am attaching a copy of my memorandum to the members of the Under
Secretaries Committee asking them to designate representatives to your task
force.
In carrying out your responsibilities, please feel free to draw upon the
services and resources of other bureaus in this Department.
[Page 297]
Attachment
Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for
National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee
(Irwin)3
Washington, November 13, 1970
SUBJECT
- United States Exchange Programs and Leadership Development
The President has directed a review of current United States exchange
programs, to be combined with an analysis of possible steps to maximize
(1) the effectiveness of programs of interchange with points of
leadership in other countries, (2) the building of a broad continuing
relationship, both public and private, with these leadership structures,
and (3) contributions toward leadership development in other countries.
In this study, particular emphasis and attention should be given to
developing nations.
The study should:
—Review the extent and nature of U.S. Government, private sector
and educational exchange programs covering substantive or
professional fields (such as government, education, medicine,
science, business, law, journalism and social science) including the
military and also foreign students in the U.S. The review should
identify the rationale of programs, geographic areas of
concentration and reasoning behind priorities, and significant
problems in program implementation. The review should also identify
current programs in terms of whether they are or could be directed
towards target-country leaders, mid-career people, or young
potential leaders in their fields.
—Consider steps which might be initiated with regard to U.S. programs
affecting the developing nations (primarily in the Middle East,
Latin America, Asia and Africa), but not excluding the Eastern
European countries and countries such as Spain and Portugal, to
assure access to key leadership points in these societies, to
coordinate government efforts in exchanges, and to stimulate and
guide the private sector programs. Proposed alternative steps
designed to achieve these goals—whether involving new programs,
modification or improvement of existing programs, or the discarding
of programs—should be accompanied by a discussion of the relevant
advantages and disadvantages.
—Consider the relationship between U.S. Government and private sector
exchange Programs (a) to the proposed International Development
Institute and the newly established Inter-American Social
Development Institute, and (b) to development assistance
programs.
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—With regard to foreign students in the United States, the study
should re-examine the current programs to keep in contact with both
U.S.-sponsored and non-sponsored students. The study should present
the range of objectives that should govern U.S. Government contact
with the students and also options regarding the levels, types and
loci within the Government of programs to achieve these
objectives.
The study is to be performed by the NSC
Under Secretaries Committee. For the purposes of this study, the NSC Under Secretaries Committee will
include representatives of the Department of Health, Education and
Welfare, the Agency for International Development, the United States
Information Agency, the Peace Corps, and the President’s Science
Advisor.
The President has directed all government departments and agencies and
U.S. embassies and posts to provide information and active cooperation
as required by the study.
The study and recommendations of the NSC
Under Secretaries Committee should be submitted to the President by
March 15, 1971.4
The President has directed that, in the meantime, the Department of State
and other departments as appropriate take all possible steps to
increase, with special priority on developing nations, the exchange in
professional fields of individuals with strong leadership potential.
Specifically, the President has directed that the Department of State
and other departments review their respective policies and programs with
a view toward maintaining an effective U.S. presence in parts of the
world where conventional AID-type or
other assistance programs are either being phased out or no longer
operate. Also, in order to benefit more from people coming to the U.S.
under non-U.S. Government sponsorship, existing governmental channels
should be utilized to the extent possible to facilitate arrangements and
contacts for these visitors.
[Page 299]
Attachment
Memorandum From the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee
(Irwin) to Multiple
Addressees5
NSC-U/SM 88
Washington, December 1, 1970
TO
- The Deputy Secretary of Defense
- The Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
- The Director of Central Intelligence
- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- The Under Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare
- The Administrator, Agency for International Development
- The Director, United States Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency
- The Director, Peace Corps
- The Science Advisor to the President
- The Director, United States Information Agency
SUBJECT
- United States Exchange Program and Leadership Development
As set forth in the attached memorandum,6 the
President has directed (1) a review of current United States exchange
programs, and (2) while the review is in progress, an interim increase
in the exchange in professional fields of individuals with strong
leadership potential.
I have asked Mr. John Richardson,
Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs,
to be responsible for the preparation and submission to the Under
Secretaries Committee of the required exchange program study and for the
coordination of the interim expansion program.
I would appreciate your designation to Mr. Richardson’s office (extension 22464) of a
representative to his interagency task force.
As stated in the attached memorandum, the Under Secretaries Committee
report should be submitted to the President by March 15, 1971;
therefore, I have requested that Mr. Richardson submit his study to the Committee by March 5,
1971. Noting the President’s direction for an interim program, I also
have requested that Mr. Richardson submit an interim program report to the Under
Secretaries Committee by December 22, 1970.
[Page 300]
Due to the extensive scope of this project and its short preparation
period, I hope that you will be able to assist Mr. Richardson with such personnel and
services as he may require.
John N. Irwin
II
Chairman
