United Nations Affairs
1. Airgram A–128 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, Washington, January 5, 1973.
The Department provided posts with a general summary and assessment of the 27th United Nations General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 8 GA. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Hertz, Pelcovits, and other members of the IO staff on January 2; cleared by Rothenberg, McDonald, Schaufele, and in IO/SEC, AF, NEA, EUR/SOV, ACDA, EA/ACA, L/UNA, and L/OA; and approved by De Palma.
2. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Helms to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 16, 1973.
[3 pages not declassified]
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 304, Agency Files, USUN (1973 thru Sept), Vol. XI [Part 4]. Secret.
3. Telegram 140 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, January 17, 1973, 2308Z.
Outgoing Ambassador Bush offered his assessment of the 27th United Nations General Assembly and the activities of the United Nations more generally.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 1. Confidential.
4. Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, February 3, 1973.
Nixon and Kissinger discussed their attitudes concerning the United Nations and the general lines of policy they wished Ambassador-designate Scali to promote.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation No. 840–12. No classification marking. The editor transcribed the portion of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume. The transcription is part of a larger conversation, 12:12–1:20 p.m. The portion of the conversation prior to that published here is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–15, Western and Eastern Europe, 1973–1976.
5. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the President’s Files, February 13, 1973.
President Nixon discussed United Nations affairs with newly-appointed Ambassador Scali.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 304, Agency Files, USUN (1973 thru Sept), Vol. XI [Part 4]. Secret. Congressman John James Rooney (D–NY) was a member of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Appropriations for State, Justice, Commerce, the Judiciary and related agencies. “The Fairley book” is a reference to Henry Fairlie, The Kennedy Promise: The Politics of Expectation (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1973).
6. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, February 20, 1973.
Waldheim and Scali discussed issues of importance to the U.S. relationship with the United Nations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, USUN Files, Lot 84–83–0001, UN 10–4 Contributions Assessed, 1973. Confidential. Ambassador Christopher Phillips, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was also present. Only the first two pages of the four-page memorandum are published.
7. Telegram 1900 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, May 18, 1973, 2339Z.
Scali and Waldhiem discussed the general tenor of U.S.–U.N. relations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Exdis.
8. Telegram 163147 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, August 16, 1973, 2300Z.
The Department identified key issues to be addressed at the 28th United Nations General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, USUN Files, Lot 84–83–0001, UNGA 3 Sessions 28th, 1973. Confidential.
9. Telegram 4973 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, November 21, 1973, 1600Z.
The Mission described the increasing cohesion at the United Nations among states comprising the non-aligned movement.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. In telegram 238777, December 6, the Department repeated this telegram to Mission to the IAEA in Vienna, the Mission to NATO, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, Montreal, Paris, Rome, and Vienna for the Representative to UNIDO.
10. Telegram 250151 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, December 26, 1973, 2137Z.
The Department assessed how well the United Sates achieved its goals during the 28th United Nations General Assembly and outlined issues likely to arise at the 29th General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Schaller and other IO staff members; cleared by McNutt, Monsma, Schiff, Walker, Goott, Bettauer, Morey, and in ACDA; and approved by Popper. Kissinger’s September 24 address to the United Nations is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXVIII, Foundations and Organization of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976.
11. Abstract of a Research Study Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Washington, January 15, 1974.
The Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research outlined the growing influence of non-aligned members at the United Nations and suggested amendments to U.S. policy to avoid further isolation.
Source: National Archives, INR/DDR/RGE Files: Lot 94 D 566, Folder 93. Secret; No Foreign Dissemination. Prepared in INR by the Office of Strategic and General Research. Drafted by Donovan, Eric Willenz (INR/DFR/RSG/IPA), Francis Leo Foley (INR/DFR/RSG), and William Webster Struck (INR/DFR/REC); and approved by Meyers; released by Weiss. The text of the study is not published.
12. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 27, 1974, 11:50 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Kissinger discussed with his staff how to implement proposals made in his speeches to the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820043–1943. Confidential. Drafted by Einaudi and Boeker, and approved by Lord. Participants in the meeting included Kissinger, Rush, Sisco, Lord, Maw, Brown, Buffum, Eagleburger, Enders, Granger, Jenkins, Kubisch, Laise, Martin, Parker, Richardson, Scali, Springsteen, Sonnenfeldt, Boeker, and Einaudi. For Humphrey’s approach and Kissinger’s proposals concerning food policy, see Document 140. Kissinger’s April 15 address to the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Special Session is published in Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–483. Kissinger’s April 20 speech to the fourth regular General Assembly of the Organization of American States is ibid., May 13, 1974, pp. 510–515.
13. Telegram 99106 From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, May 13, 1974, 2237Z.
The Department circulated a request for information and ideas as part of a general reconsideration of U.S. relations with developing countries.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Stull, Washburn, and Neidle; cleared in S/P, and by McNutt, Searing, McNeil, Walker, Goott, Morey, and Blake; and approved by Buffum.
14. Telegram 104050 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, May 17, 1974, 2304Z.
The Department alerted posts to “steamroller tactics” employed by non-aligned countries at the United Nations and indicated that démarches should be made to governments indicating U.S. concerns.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated to Beijing. Drafted by Washburn and Vunovic; cleared in D and by Stull, McDonald, Neidle, Searing, McNutt, Schwebel, Goott, Monsma, Walker, and Blake; and approved by Buffum. Telegram 99106 is published as Document 13.
15. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 31, 1974, 1 p.m.
Kissinger discussed with a group of outside experts how to develop policies concerning emerging international issues affecting developing nations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820050–0597. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Boeker on June 14 and approved by Bremer on June 19. The meeting was held in the Madison/Monroe Dining Room. The speech referred to is Kissinger’s address to the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 15, published in Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–482.
16. Airgram A–4568 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, Washington, June 5, 1974.
The Department summarized events at the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Special Session and discussed implications for future international negotiations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P740058–0148. Confidential. Repeated to Hong Kong. Drafted by Hines (IO/CMD) on May 28; cleared by Morey, McDonald, Tank (IO/CMD), Yoder (IO/CMD), Kimball, Schwebel, and in EB/GCP, EB/ICD, and AID/PPC; and approved by McDonald. Annexes 1, 2, 4, and 6 are published in Department of State Bulletin, May 27, 1974, pp. 569–583. Annex 3 is ibid., May 6, 1974, pp. 477–483. Annex 5, a compilation of reservations to the NIEO declared by the WEO countries, undated, not published, is included in the microfilmed copy of this document available in the National Archives, RG 59, IO/OIC/A Files: Lot 00 D 469, Reel 73. Telegram 99106 is published as Document 13. Telegram 104050 is published as Document 14.
17. Telegram 184584 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, August 22, 1974, 2013Z.
The Department updated posts on issues likely to arise at the 29th United Nations General Assembly and issued guidance on seeking cooperation from other governments.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, INR/SEE/FP Files: Lot 92 D 403, 29th UNGA. Confidential. Drafted in IO/UNP by several staff members; cleared by Moffat, Stowe, Buffum, Blake, Morey, Neidle, McNeil, and Goott, and in AF/PPS, EA/RA, NEA, EUR/IB, EUR/RPM, IO/UNP, EA/RA, EB/IFD/ODF, EB/IFD/OIA, AID/PPC (in substance), ACDA, and PM/DCA; and approved by Sisco. A notation in an unknown hand on the first page reads: “You and Mel want to do a wrapup of Soviet UNGA tactics? Or isn’t there enough meat?” Telegram 104050 (incorrectly rendered as telegram 10405) is published as Document 14. Telegram 62535 is published as Document 62.
18. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, December 21, 1974, 10:30 a.m.
Kissinger and Bouteflika discussed positions taken during the 29th United Nations General Assembly and issues to be addressed in future negotiations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P740058–0148. Secret. The meeting was held in Bouteflika’s office at U.N. headquarters. The “Kaunda mission” refers to an October 1970 visit by Kaunda and other African leaders to the United Kingdom to discuss prospective British arms sales to the South African government. The “Eigal-Allon visit” refers to Israeli Foreign Minister Yigal Allon’s trip to Washington for talks with Kissinger, which was postponed until January 15, 1975. “Handbro” refers to Edvard Hambro of Norway, who served as President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1970 and 1971 and as President of the United Nations International Law Commission from 1972 until 1977.
19. Briefing Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Buffum) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, January 31, 1975.
Buffum outlined measures being taken to address problems occurring in international organizations within the U.N. system.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, IO/UNP Files: Lot 93 D 191, U.N. Institutional Problems—1974–75. Confidential. Drafted by Buffum and Neidle on January 31. Sent through Sisco. Kissinger’s September 24 address to the United Nations is published in Department of State Bulletin, October 15, 1973, pp. 469–473. The Case Amendment to the 1974 Foreign Assistance Act cut off funding for UNESCO until the President certified to Congress that UNESCO had “adopted policies which are fully consistent with its educational, scientific, and cultural objectives” and “taken concrete steps to correct its recent actions of a primarily political character.” On December 30, 1976, Ford certified that UNESCO had adopted the prescribed policies (see Documents 102 and 103).
20. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, February 11, 1975.
The CIA expressed concern about the deteriorating prospects for promotion of U.S. interests at the United Nations and associated institutions.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OCI Files, OPI 16, Job 79T00889A, Box 3, Folder 8. Official Use Only. Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Office of Political Research under the auspices of the National Intelligence Officer for Western Europe. The referenced CIA/OPR study of September 11, 1974, is ibid., Box 2, Folder 9.
21. Telegram 75525 From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, April 3, 1975, 2044Z.
The Department informed selected posts of its approach in preparing for the Seventh United Nations General Assembly Special Session and requested posts to submit any pertinent analysis or information.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Neidle and Rhines (IO/CMD); cleared by Buffum, Schwebel, Boeker, and Palmer (NEA/RA), and in ARA/ECP, AID/PPC, EUR/RPE, AF/EPS, EA/EP, S/P, NEA/RA, and S/S; and approved by Robinson. Sent to Abidjan, Accra, Algiers, Belgrade, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Colombo, Dakar, Georgetown, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kingston, Kinshasa, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Lima, Manila, Mexico City, Nairobi, New Delhi, Rabat, Rio de Janeiro, and Tehran. Repeated to all diplomatic posts, Rome for FODAG, Vienna for the Representative to UNIDO, and Paris for the Representative to UNESCO. Airgram A–4568 is Document 16. Telegram 99106 is Document 13. Telegram 104050 is Document 14. Kissinger’s January 24 address to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council is published in Department of State Bulletin, February 17, 1975, pp. 197–204.
22. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 12, 1975, 10:45 a.m.
Ford, Kissinger, and Scowcroft met with Ambassador-designate Moynihan to discuss general U.S. strategy at the United Nations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 10, April 12, 1975—Ford, Kissinger, Ambassador Daniel Patrick Moynihan (UN). Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. For Ford’s Thursday, April 10 address on foreign policy to a joint session of Congress see Public Papers: Ford, 1975, volume I, pp. 459–473. Moynihan’s article, entitled “The United States in Opposition,” is published in Commentary, March 1975, pp. 31–44.
23. Telegram 170841 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, July 19, 1975, 1814Z.
The Department disseminated the principal themes of Kissinger’s July 14 Milwaukee speech on the United Nations and requested posts to raise certain elements with host governments.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted by Baker and Neidle; cleared in H, EB/IFD/ODF (in draft), and NEA/IAI (in draft), and by Lord (in draft); and approved by Buffum. Kissinger’s July 14 speech, subsequent press conference, and related documents are published in Department of State Bulletin, August 4, 1975, pp. 149–184. Kissinger’s May 13 Kansas City speech is ibid., June 2, 1975, pp. 713–719. Kissinger’s May 28 speech at the OECD meeting in Paris is ibid., June 23, 1975, pp. 849–858.
24. Telegram 191465 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, August 13, 1975, 1419Z.
The Department informed posts about major issues of interest to be negotiated at the 30th United Nations General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Drafted in IN/UNP by staff under the direction of Baker; cleared by Palmer, Goott, Schwebel (in part), McNutt, Walker, and Boeker, and in ARA/LA/USOAS and D/HA; and approved by Buffum. Sent for information to USUN, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the IAEA in Vienna, the Mission to the OECD in Paris, and Mission to NATO. Telegram 170841 is Document 23. Telegram 104050 is Document 14. Kissinger’s July 14 Milwaukee speech, subsequent press conference, and related documents are published in Department of State Bulletin, August 4, 1975, pp. 149–184. Edvard Hambro of Norway served as President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1970 and 1971.
25. Memorandum From Malcolm Butler of the International Economic Affairs Staff, National Security Council to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, August 26, 1975.
Butler provided background information about Ford’s impending meeting with Moynihan.
Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, IT 64–27, Box 11, UN: USUN 8/9/74–8/31/75. No classification marking. Published from an uninitialed copy. Tabs A and B were not found. Tab I is attached but not published. Moynihan’s August 14 paper entitled “Bilateral Traditions and Multilateral Realities: A New Approach to Relations with Sixty-four Countries,” as well as the attendant talking points, are ibid., Connor Files, Box 3, USUN, Daniel P. Moynihan (1).
26. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 27, 1975, 2 p.m.
Ford and Scowcroft met with Moynihan to discuss U.N. policy.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 14, August 27, 1975—Ford, Ambassador Daniel Patrick Moynihan (UN). Secret. The meeting was held in the Oval Office.
27. Summary of Intelligence Memorandum 0253/75 Prepared in the Office of Current Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, August 27, 1975.
The CIA assessed the prospects for a successful outcome of the United Nations General Assembly Seventh Special Session.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OCI Files, OPI 16, Job 85T00353R, Box 1, Folder 20. Confidential. Coordinated within the CIA, and discussed, but not coordinated with, officers in the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The text of the memorandum is not published.
28. Telegram 207669/Tosec 100402 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, September 1, 1975, 0944Z.
The Department outlined Kissinger’s upcoming address before the United Nations General Assembly Seventh Special Session and requested posts to indicate that the initiative represented a sincere effort to meet concerns about economic development.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Drafted by Poole; cleared by Morey, Neidle, Lewis, and in S/S; and approved by Enders. Repeated to USUN, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the IAEA in Vienna, the Mission to the OECD in Paris, Rome for the Representative to FAO, Vienna for the Representative to UNIDO, and Paris for the Representative to UNESCO. Sent as Tosec 100402 to Kissinger who was in Israel. A seven-page summary of Kissinger’s speech is not published. For Kissinger’s address, see Department of State Bulletin, September 22, 1975, pp. 425–441.
29. Telegram 4301 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, September 16, 1975, 2115Z.
Moynihan offered a brief, positive assessment of the United Nations General Assembly Seventh Special Session.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Unclassified; Immediate. Repeated to the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, the Delegate to Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva, and the Mission to the OECD in Paris. Kissinger’s address is published in Department of State Bulletin, September 22, 1975, pp. 425–441.
30. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Management (Eagleburger) and the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, September 24, 1975.
Eagleburger and Lord recommended altering the Department’s organizational structure and operations to better promote U.S. interests in international organizations.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P830152–0329. Secret; Nodis. Moynihan’s paper is in the Ford Library, Connor Files, Box 3, USUN, Daniel P. Moynihan (1). Kissinger did not initial his approval or disapproval of any of the recommendations. The tabs are attached but not published. Tab 1, undated, is a draft memorandum from Eagleburger and Lord to the Assistant Secretaries for International Organization Affairs and the regional bureaus requesting statements about how to approach the issue of “multilateral” diplomacy. Tab 2, August 30, is a memorandum from Lewis to Eagleburger which outlined alternatives for organizing the Department for “multilateral” diplomacy. Tab 3, undated, lists candidates for “multilateral” consideration. Although Kissinger did not indicate his position on any of the recommendations made in this memorandum, Documents 32, 34, and 35 indicate that Kissinger approved the general approach recommended by this memorandum.