207. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
SUBJECT:
- Control of International Drug Actions
As you are aware, John Ehrlichman formed a Cabinet committee on the international drug problem. This is to be a parallel organization to Dr. Janka’s organization which handles the domestic program. As it stands now Secretary Rogers is the chairman of the committee, you are a member. Rogers has just appointed Nelson Gross, a Republican politician from New Jersey, as an assistant secretary to handle the international aspects of the drug problem under the Cabinet committee.
Bud Krogh believes and I agree completely that the quarreling which has been associated with the international drug problem involving frictions between State, Treasury, Justice, Customs, etc. suggests that State will not be able to adequately coordinate the maze of conflicting interests. A more serious factor is the problem associated with having State freewheel the various capitals in search of remedial action on the drug problem. I am especially concerned about Southeast Asia where the influences of corruption involving high-ranking governmental and military officials could run directly contrary to our more fundamental objectives.
Krogh believes that the only solution to the problem is to appoint a member of the NSC staff as executive secretary to the Cabinet committee. He is anxious to have your okay to have Art Downey appointed to this position. He would in turn appoint one or two staff assistants from Treasury and elsewhere to support Art. Art would in turn manage the interdepartmental effort consistent with your views.
I have discussed this with Art. He is anxious to serve but would expect to be relieved of his other duties, promoted to GS-17 and be authorized to bask in a fairly high-profile publicity campaign designed for political reasons to emphasize the remedial action being taken by the President. [Page 2] There are rumblings on the Hill that while the domestic program is going well, the President has not moved as decisively as he might in the international area.
We have two options:
- (1)
- Permit State to retain the lead with the risks that inter-departmental squabbling will continue with disastrous impact on the coordination of our programs abroad. An additional risk and of greater concern to me is the likelihood that a State dominated program will serve political objectives which run counter to the President’s best interest.
- (2)
- Permit Art Downey to serve as executive secretary to the Cabinet committee while remaining formally as a member of the NSC staff and thus responsive to you for ultimate guidance. This solution is of course somewhat awkward and may not be acceptable to Secretary Rogers. If you agree with the solution, it must be clearly understood that Downey works directly for you, that he is available for other duties when required and that adequate space is provided in the EOB to house the operation.
I am inclined to favor Option 2 recognizing its pitfalls.
Decision
Option 1
Option 2
See Me
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 358, Subject Files, Narcotics IV. Confidential. Haig did not initial the memorandum, and there is no indication of Kissinger’s decision, but see Document 208.↩
- Haig reported that President’s Assistant Ehrlichman had formed a Cabinet committee, chaired by Secretary of State Rogers, on the international drug problem. Haig added his concerns that the Department of State would not be able to mediate between the quarreling factions.↩