Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXXVIII, Part 2, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; Public Diplomacy, 1973–1976

215. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Robinson) to Secretary of State Kissinger¹

Washington, November 3, 1976.

Transition to the Next Administration

We expect that the President-elect will very soon designate one or more persons for liaison with the Department during the period prior to the Inauguration. I believe that the transition should be performed under the direct supervision of Larry Eagleburger.

Recommendations:

1. That you sign the memorandum to all employees of the Department at Tab 1,² designating Deputy Under Secretary Eagleburger as the officer responsible for coordinating the transition on behalf of the Department with the representatives of the President-elect, during the period from now until January 20.

2. That you authorize despatch of the memorandum to General Scowcroft at Tab 2 which informs him of this designation and emphasizes the need to coordinate matters with the White House during this period.³

3. That you authorize despatch of the cable to all posts at Tab 3 which informs them of this designation and provides guidance on public statements by our employees during this period.⁴

4. That you approve the similar memorandum to all employees of the Department at Tab 4.⁵

5. That you authorize the memorandum to Assistant Secretaries at Tab 5 which requests that each of them designate a senior officer to act as Bureau Coordination Officer and ensure that the Bureau meets requirements transmitted to it by S/S during this period.⁶

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transition Records of the Executive Secretariat 1959–1977, Entry 5338, Box 1, Transition/Admin. No classification marking. Drafted by Bridges and concurred in by Habib and Eagleburger. The memorandum was initialed by Robinson on November 4.
2. Kissinger’s November 4 memorandum, as signed, is attached but not printed.
3. Robinson initialed approval on Kissinger’s behalf on November 4 and in the margin wrote: “Memo signed by LSE 11/4/76.” Eagleburger’s November 4 memorandum as signed, is attached but not printed.
4. Robinson initialed approval on Kissinger’s behalf on November 4 and noted that the memorandum was approved “in revised version.” Telegram 271761 to all diplomatic and consular posts, November 4, is attached but not printed. A copy is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1976.
5. Attached but not printed. Neither approval nor disapproval is indicated. In the margin, Robinson wrote: “Not acted upon; Borg will prepare Department Notice.”
6. Robinson initialed approval on behalf of Kissinger on November 4. Next to the paragraph, Robinson wrote: “Memo signed by LSE 11/4/76.” Eagleburger’s November 4 memorandum, as signed, is attached but not printed.