159. Memorandum From the Director of the U.S. Information Agency
(Murrow) to
Agency Heads of Elements and Public Affairs
Officers Worldwide1
Washington,
December 20,
1963.
It is essential that we help maintain a high level of foreign confidence
in the continuity of American Government and policy under President
Johnson and in our nation as
the leader of the Free World. The President already has done much to
assure the world. He has reaffirmed in several ways and in the most
specific manner possible his commitment to the continuation of President
Kennedy’s foreign policy—a
policy which he helped shape and carry out.
For some time I have been considering the priorities for Agency output,
first issued July 24, 1961.2 They have not changed
substantially, which reflects in still one more way the continuity of
U.S. policy. There have been enough shifts in emphasis, however, to
warrant a restatement of these priorities.
There has been and is some confusion as to what these priorities
represent and what proportion of our output should be devoted to them.
The Agency’s function, stated by the President in a directive of January
25, 1963,3 is to “help achieve United States foreign
policy objectives.” There are, of course, differences among these
objectives: some are world-wide in scope, others limited in geographic
applicability; some are capable of achievement in a limited time, others
will be with [Page 319] us for the
foreseeable future. These goals are spelled out specifically in our
Country Plans, which continue to be the basis of our operations in the
field and support activities in Washington.
The diversity of our objectives around the world requires a wide variety
of approaches, techniques, and activities. It also requires that we
define our priorities, and co-ordinate our activities in support of
them.
The attached priority subjects are those which I consider most urgent at
the present time and which should be given full and persuasive treatment
in all Media before other subjects are tackled.
The relative efforts in behalf of any of the five priorities will, as in
the past, vary with the unfolding of events, the nature of the medium,
and the situation in individual countries.
The responsibility for co-ordinating Media output on the priority and
other subjects will continue to rest with the Assistant Deputy Director
(Media Content).
E.R. Murrow
Attachment
While providing a broad range of materials required to support a
diversity of objectives in Country Plans, until further notice
Agency media will focus attention on, and give priority to:
THE PURSUIT OF PEACE
The United States has no more urgent task than the pursuit of peace.
In the words of President Johnson, “We will be unceasing in the search for
peace; resourceful in our pursuit of areas of agreement even with
those with whom we differ.” We believe this search for an attainable
and honorable peace should be based on a gradual evolution in human
institutions and on a series of concrete actions and effective
agreements (such as the limited nuclear test ban) leading to general
and complete disarmament. The United States will continue to
encourage the settlement of international issues by peaceful means
rather than force.
STRENGTH AND RELIABILITY
The United States, matured and tested under the responsibilities of
free world leadership, will maintain its strength in all fields to
protect its own freedom and to aid in the defense of other free
nations against threats to their independence and institutions. The
United States can and will keep its commitments to its allies and to
other countries.
[Page 320]
FREE CHOICE
The United States believes in a peaceful world community of free and
independent states, free to choose their own future, free to build
and change their own systems so long as they do not threaten the
freedom of others. We believe in the dignity of the individual, and
will continue to help other nations in their efforts to modernize
their societies, to resist coercion, and to construct and maintain
free institutions.
RULE OF LAW
The fundamental commitment of the United States is to freedom of the
individual, of the community, and of the nation under law. This
commitment is the hallmark which distinguishes societies of free men
from societies where rule is based on privilege and force.
Historically, the rule of law was a commitment of the people of the
United States to themselves; today it is the cornerstone of both our
domestic and international policies. We will continue to work toward
perfecting the rule of law at home and encourage its extension to
and among all nations.
UNITED NATIONS
The United States will continue its full support of the United
Nations, seeking in concert with other countries to strengthen the
UN’s peacekeeping machinery. It
will also continue to support UN functions which assist all free
nations, large and small, to maintain their independence and to move
toward political, economic, and social justice.
[Here follow examples of talking points corresponding to these
priorities.]
