Food Policy
128. Telegram 125374 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts, June 27, 1973, 0041Z.
The Department informed posts about U.S. plans to address a potential worldwide food shortage.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, USUN Files, Lot 84–83–0001, AGR 15, Food Supply, 1968–1973. Limited Official Use. Also sent to Beijing.
129. National Security Study Memorandum 187, Washington, September 5, 1973.
In the light of recent food shortages, Nixon directed that a study be undertaken to survey of the relationship between international agricultural policies and foreign policy more generally.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–207, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 151 thru NSSM 200 (Originals). Secret.
130. Telegram 206146 From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, October 17, 1973, 2227Z,.
The Department provided information to posts concerning the U.S. proposal for a World Food Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Mills; cleared in IO, USDA, NSC, EB, and S/S; and approved by Popper. Sent to Rome, USUN, Buenos Aires, Canberra, London, Ottawa, Paris, Bonn, the Delegation to the OECD in Paris, Brussels, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, Beijing, Moscow, Brasilia, Mexico City, Tokyo, New Delhi, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, and the Hague. The U.S. proposal to convoke a World Food Conference under U.N. auspices was circulated as U.N. Document A/9194. Kissinger’s September 1974 address to the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXVIII, Foundations and Organization of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976.
131. Telegram 222510 From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts, November 10, 1973, 0307Z.
The telegram outlined the current state of U.S. thinking about matters pertaining to the proposed World Food Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, USUN Files: Lot 84–83–0001, AGR 15–3, Food Conference, 1973. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Boerner; cleared in USDA, STR, IO, CIEP, Department of Treasury, EUR/RPE, EB/OT/TA, and NSC; and approved by Katz. Sent to London, Paris, Bonn, Copenhagen, the Hague, Brussels, Dublin, Rome for FODAG, Luxembourg, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to the OECD in Paris, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, Ottawa, Canberra, Tokyo, and USUN.
132. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Resources and Food Policy (Katz) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, November 16, 1973.
Katz forwarded the inter-agency study on international cooperation in agriculture called for by NSSM 187.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–200, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 187. Confidential. Only the Introduction of the attached study, 55 pages plus appendices, is published.
133. Telegram 13013 From the Embassy in Italy to the Department of State, November 24, 1973, 1140Z.
The Embassy reported on the discussion at 17th FAO Conference concerning the proposed World Food Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Repeated to Canberra, Bonn, Copenhagen, Brussels, Dublin, the Hague, London, Luxembourg, Ottawa, Paris, Tokyo, USUN, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, and the Mission to the OECD in Paris.
134. Telegram 10697 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, January 17, 1974, 2048Z.
The Department updated posts on matters pertaining to the upcoming World Food Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Drafted Martin; cleared in EB/OFP, EUR/RPE, NEA/RA, AF/EPS, IO/AGR, USDA, STR, and NSC; and approved by Martin. Also sent to Geneva for UNCTAD, Rome for FODAG, and Dakar. Repeated to all Consulates.
135. Memorandum From the Coordinator for World Food Conference Affairs (Martin) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, January 21, 1974.
Martin updated Kissinger on his activities to prepare for the World Food Conference.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90D313, S/WF—Memoranda to the Secretary, General. Limited Official Use. Tab B is published as Document 134.
136. Memorandum From Robert Morris of the Council on International Economic Policy Staff to the Assistant Director for Natural Resources of the Domestic Council (Ross), Washington, February 8, 1974.
Morris summarized current U.S. positions and outlined strategies to create a comprehensive policy for international food and agricultural issues.
Source: Ford Library, Leach Files, Box 9, World Food, Nov. 1973–Apr. 1974. Limited Official Use. Copies were sent to Hinton, Wood, and Flanigan. CIEP Study Memorandum 30 (“U.S. Policy on National and International Stocks of Agricultural Commodities”), undated, and CIEP Study Memorandum 31 (“Agricultural Programs for LDC’s”), dated December 5, 1973, are both in the National Archives, RG 429, Records on the Council on International Economic Policy, Study Memoranda 1971–1974, Box 256, CIEPSMs (CIEP Study Memoranda—Index & Copy). Additional documentation on the “Nixon Food Plan” is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976.
137. Memorandum From the Coordinator for World Food Conference Affairs (Martin) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, February 20, 1974.
Martin reported on the first Preparatory Committee meeting for the upcoming World Food Conference.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90 D 313, S/WF—Memoranda to the Secretary, General. No classification marking. Drafted by Martin.
138. Summary of a Research Study Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Washington, February 25, 1974.
The Bureau of Intelligence and Research reported the conclusions of a gathering of agricultural experts about the current and future world food situation.
Source: Department of State, IO/D/AGR Files, Lot 88 D 305, U.N. WFC basic documentation. Unclassified. Drafted by Witt. The attached study is not published.
139. Briefing Memorandum From the Coordinator for World Food Conference Affairs (Martin) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, March 28, 1974.
Martin informed Kissinger about progress in clarifying U.S. negotiating principles for the World Food Conference and identified issues requiring further consultation.
Source: Department of State, IO/D/AGR Files, Lot 88 D 305, U.N. WFC basic documentation. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Martin and cleared in draft by Katz and Boeker.
140. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 24, 1974, noon.
Kissinger and Martin discussed a variety of international food and agriculture issues with Senator Humphrey.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1028, Subject Files, Presidential/HAK MemCons, March 1–May 8, 1974. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Boeker on April 25. The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office. Kissinger’s address to the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 15 is published in Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–482. For Humphrey’s May 9 speech, see The New York Times, May 10, 1974, p. 7.
141. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 28, 1974.
Nixon discussed international food policy with the Cabinet.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1029, Subject Files, Presidential/HAK MemCons, May 8–May 31, 1974. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Cabinet Room.
142. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State-Designate for Economic and Business Affairs (Enders) and the Director of the Policy Planning Staff, Department of State (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, undated.
The memorandum discussed the relationship between food policy, international trade in agricultural goods, and general U.S. foreign relations goals.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90 D 313, Memos to Secretary Kissinger Related to Meetings With Him on World Food Problem, 7/1/74 to 12/1/74. Confidential. Drafted by Placke, Service, and Boeker on June 7; and concurred in draft by Martin and Birnbaum. Printed from an uninitialed copy. An attached routing slip, dated June 9, indicates that Kissinger took this memorandum with him as he accompanied Nixon on a June 10–19 Middle East trip. The separate paper concerning P.L. 480 and the May 18 memo were not found.
143. Telegram 136529 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts, June 25, 1974, 2111Z.
The department informed posts about issues concerning the upcoming World Food Conference after two meetings of the Conference’s Preparatory Committee.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Drafted by E.A. Casey; cleared by Placke and Mills, and in the Departments of Treasury (in substance) and Agriculture; and approved by Martin.
144. Analytical Study OPR–401 Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, August 1974.
The CIA study examined the potential implications of trends in world population, food production, and climate.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90 D 313, world food situation—general background—Spring 1974. No classification marking. Only the Key Judgments section is published.
145. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs (Enders) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, August 17, 1974.
Enders explained the key U.S. objectives at the upcoming World Food Conference.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90 D 313, Memos to Secretary Kissinger Related to Meetings With Him on World Food Problem, 7/1/74 to 12/1/74. Confidential. Drafted by Placke and cleared by Tussey. On August 28 Kissinger chaired a meeting on the World Food Conference. The record of that meeting is scheduled for publication Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976.
146. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 17, 1974, 12:15 p.m.
The President and key advisers discussed U.S. international food policy in light of Ford’s impending address to the 29th United Nations General Assembly.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 5, September 17, 1974—Ford, Kissinger, Butz, Ash, Greenspan. Top Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. Brackets are in the original. Ford’s September 18 speech is published in Public Papers: Ford, 1974, pp. 156–161. The September 16 Ash memorandum presented Option A as “The original budget dollar level of $742 million net outlays,” Option B as “An increase above the budget level to $978 million,” and Option C as “The original budgeted commodity amounts, which would now cost $1.28 billion because of price increases since last December when the budget was prepared.” The memorandum is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976.
147. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 4, 1974.
Kissinger discussed the philosophy underpinning an early draft of his speech scheduled to be delivered at the World Food Conference.
Source: Department of State, S/WF Files, Lot 90 D 313, S/WF—Secretary Kissinger’s Speech, WFC—November 5, 1974. No classification marking. Ford’s September 18 speech is published in Public Papers: Ford, 1974, pp. 156–161. Kissinger’s September 23 address to the 29th United Nations General Assembly is published in Department of State Bulletin, October 14, 1974, pp. 498–504.
148. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 16, 1974.
Kissinger and Butz conferred with advisers about the remarks they would deliver at the World Food Conference.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P780092–1032. Confidential; Nodis; Eyes Only. Drafted by Placke. Kissinger’s and Butz’s addresses to the World Food Conference are published in Department of State Bulletin, December 16, 1974, pp. 821–837. Ford’s September 18 speech is published in Public Papers: Ford, 1974, pp. 156–161.
149. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Springsteen) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, October 17, 1974.
Springsteen forwarded a briefing paper on the policy implications of the relationships between food, fertilizer, and population.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P780092–1032. Confidential. Drafted by Morris, Nelson, and Service; and concurred in by Martin.
150. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Ash) to President Ford, Washington, November 12, 1974.
Ash requested that the International Food Review Group move swiftly to recommend actions to take during the remainder of the World Food Conference to promote U.S. international food policy objectives.
Source: Ford Library, Seidman Files, Box 68, World Food Conference. No classification marking. Although this memorandum includes no indication of Ford’s approval or disapproval, see Document 151.
151. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Members of the International Food Review Group, Washington, November 12, 1974.
Ford directed the creation of an International Food Review Group to coordinate the U.S. government response to initiatives arising out of the World Food Conference.
Source: Ford Library, Seidman Files, Box 68, Food—International Food Review Group. No classification marking.
152. Telegram 261234 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, November 27, 1974, 0043Z.
The Department instructed U.S. representatives to request host governments’ support for World Food Conference resolutions at the 29th United Nations General Assembly.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Byrnes and Neidle; cleared by Placke, Martin, Paarlberg (in substance), and Morey; and approved by Buffum. Repeated to USUN, the Mission to the U.N. in Geneva, and Rome for the Representative to FAO.
153. Report of the Delegation to the World Food Conference, Washington, December 1974.
The report summarized the negotiations and results of the World Food Conference.
Source: Department of State, IO/D/AGR Files, Lot 88 D 305, U.N. World Food Conference, U.S. Delegation Report, Kissinger speech, November 5–16, 1974. No classification marking. Drafted in S/WF. Butz submitted the report to Kissinger. Annexes B and C are published in Department of State Bulletin, December 16, 1974, pp. 821–837. The United Nations report on the World Food Conference, including Annex A, is published as U.N. Document E/Conf.65/20. A condensed version of the Official Report was circulated to all diplomatic posts as telegram 261676, November 27. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files) Additional documentation on the conference is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976. Kissinger’s 1973 address to the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled for publication ibid., volume XXXVIII, Foundations and Organization of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976.
154. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Springsteen) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 14, 1974.
Springsteen forwarded a briefing paper on follow-up actions taken after the World Food Conference.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, Box 6, Food (4). Confidential. The attached correspondence profile indicates that a copy was sent to McFarlane on December 14.
155. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 21, 1975, 12:45 p.m.
Ford discussed international food aid matters with Hannah, Butz, and several Presidential advisers.
Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, FO 6–4, World Food Conference, November 1974 (Rome) (2). No classification marking. The meeting was held in the Oval Office. Kissinger’s May 13 address to the Kansas City, Missouri International Relations Council, which dealt in part with food policy issues, is published in Department of State Bulletin, June 2, 1975, pp. 713–719.
156. Telegram 148311 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts, June 24, 1975, 2048Z.
The Department updated posts on U.S. efforts to promote initiatives to address international food shortages.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Placke and EB/OFP staff; and approved by Gold. Sent also to the U.S. National Military Representative at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe and to the U.S. Coast Guard Political Adviser. Kissinger’s May 13 address to the Kansas City, Missouri International Relations Council is published in Department of State Bulletin, June 2, 1975, pp. 713–719. Kissinger’s May 28 statement before the OECD Ministerial Council is ibid., June 23, 1975, pp. 849–855.
157. Telegram 157672/Tosec 50126 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger, July 3, 1975, 1855Z.
Robinson summarized for Kissinger the negotiations at the first meeting of the World Food Council.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Exdis; Immediate. Drafted by Placke, cleared by Boeker (in draft), Morey (in draft), and Borg; and approved by Robinson. Kissinger was on vacation in the Virgin Islands.