Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VIII, Public Diplomacy, 1969–1972

42. Notes of an International Cultural Strategy Group Meeting¹

Washington, undated

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL STRATEGY GROUP

Met 12:30 p.m. October 20, 1969, Department of State. Participating: Len Garment, John Richardson, Bob Osgood, Ray Price, Charlie McWhorter, Bill Weathersby.

It was agreed that these notes would include only substantive conclusions, and who is to do what, as a result. Therefore:

I. CU/USIA research programs will be coordinated. John Richardson will ask his deputy, Fred Irving, to contact USIA’s Bill Strasburg re: the joint program.

II. The group agreed that the Asia Foundation is worthy of continued Government support. John Richardson will send Len Garment information on the Foundation. Following receipt of this information, on behalf of the International Cultural Strategy Group Len will write to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget recommending Administration support for the Foundation.

III. The group supported the concept that there should be dramatic evidence of the President’s concern with the quality of living as expressed through his support for cultural affairs. John Ehrlichman said such a presentation must be made before December 1. Charlie McWhorter is to formulate what is to be said.² Len Garment is to talk with John Ehrlichman. Then Len is to present the concept to the Republican Leadership. John Richardson will talk with Nancy Hanks about their respective programs with regard to this new approach.

IV. The group gave its “blessings minus money” to the Willis Conover proposal for an Irish-American Festival. It was suggested that possibly there could be a Swedish-American Festival also, held in Sweden, which might have more value from the standpoint of political objective.

V. It was agreed that youth, including high school students, should not be ruled out of the Cultural Presentations Program.

Carol Harford³

1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Subject Files, 1953–2000, Entry A1–1066, Box 7, Relations With White House, 1968–1969. No classification marking. Copies were sent to Shakespeare, Loomis, and Weathersby. Shakespeare’s name is typewritten in the top right-hand corner; an unknown hand wrote Loomis’s and Weathersby’s names below this. An unknown hand wrote “TRIP FOLDER” in the top left-hand corner of the memorandum.
2. The agenda for the November 3 International Cultural Strategy Group meeting indicated that the Group would address several items discussed during the October 20 meeting, including the development of an administration policy on cultural affairs. Attached to the agenda is an October 22 memorandum from McWhorter to Garment, in which McWhorter summarized the current budgets for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Council for the Arts (NCA), and CU, adding that the “public support” for these programs “has come from citizens in all walks of life who give a high priority to efforts to improve the quality of life in America and for efforts to improve the image of American life among peoples in other parts of the world.” He proposed a “dramatic increase” in funds for these programs, an expansion of the Department of State’s cultural activities, and development of “some sort of formula” in order to direct a fixed amount or percentage of money for these activities. Concerning the latter, McWhorter stated, “It may well be that the Administration would want to come up with some descriptive phrase or slogan for this new emphasis such as “REACH” (Re-Establish America’s Cultural Heritage).” (Ibid.)
3. Harford signed “Carol” above this typed signature. An unknown hand wrote “White House” below the typed signature.