S/S–NSC files, lot 66 D 148, “Reported Decline in US. Prestige Abroad”
Memorandum by the Counselor (MacArthur) to the Secretary of State1
- Subject:
- Attached OCB Report2
Discussion
The attached OCB report, dealing with the reported decline in U.S. prestige abroad, is scheduled for consideration at the NSC meeting on Thursday, October 1. In general, the report concludes that there has been a serious decline in U.S. prestige, extending over the past five years, and presents a number of recommendations aimed at improving the situation. All these recommendations have been reviewed and given general approval by the heads of the Department’s geographic bureaus. It is my opinion that the report and the recommendations are generally sound.
The implementation of the recommendations presents a somewhat difficult problem, because their form and nature varies considerably. Some may be approved outright by the NSC. Others may be approved in general terms as guides to future action. Still others will probably require further study, in conjunction with policy considerations which may supersede present psychological objectives abroad. In any event, it appears necessary that the individual recommendations be considered separately, rather than as a whole.
Recommendations
- 1.
- That you seek approval by the NSC of the analytical portion of the OCB report.
- 2.
- That you support NSC action on the individual recommendations (pp. 6–10) along the lines of a draft “record of action”, attached. (Tab A2)