Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume II, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

147. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (Schneider) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Christopher)¹

Washington, June 19, 1978

SUBJECT

• Improving Human Rights Reporting and Planning

We seek your early approval of a phased process which is designed:

—to ensure we have adequate and timely information on hand for a thorough consideration of human rights concerns during the FY 80 security and economic assistance budget review process which is scheduled to begin this month.²

—to build on the already expanded reporting from most posts and provide some stimulus to the posts when added reporting on human rights matters might be desired.

—to encourage the further development by the Regional Bureaus and field posts of human rights programs in countries receiving U.S. assistance.³

—to ensure a mutually supportive relationship between bilateral efforts and our use of and participation in international organizations, including regional organizations.⁴

These objectives are treated in the attached memorandum.

A schedule for the orderly preparation of the 1979 Country Reports is to be the subject of a subsequent tasking.⁵ We intend to recommend an earlier start and a less onerous production schedule for the Country Reports than was the case last year, using our last year’s experience as a guide.

The Regional Bureaus and INR agree with these proposals.⁶

I recommend you approve the attached memorandum.

Approved

Approved with change(s) indicated⁷

Let’s discuss

Attachment

Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Tarnoff) to All Regional and Functional Assistant Secretaries and the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lake)⁸

Washington, July 3, 1978

TO

• AF—Mr. Moose
• ARA—Mr. Bushnell, Acting
• EA—Mr. Holbrooke
• EB—Mr. Katz
• EUR—Mr. Vest
• H—Mr. Bennet
• HA—Ms. Derian
• INR—Ambassador Bowdler
• IO—Mr. Maynes
• L—Mr. Hansell
• PM—Mr. Gelb
• S/P—Mr. Lake
• NEA—Mr. Saunders

SUBJECT

• Improving Human Rights Reporting and Planning

In order to continue the recent improvements in human rights reporting from posts abroad and to use this reporting effectively in implementing our human rights policy, the Deputy Secretary has asked that the following steps be taken:

—that INR should prepare by August 1 brief summaries of significant human rights events since January 1, 1978 in countries selected by the Regional Bureaus in coordination with HA. IO and the relevant Regional Bureaus should inform INR of any significant actions taken in multilateral organizations since January 1 with respect to the human rights situation in the selected countries.

—that the Regional Bureaus, in coordination with HA, INR, IO, and L should review their posts’ human rights reporting and provide posts with additional guidance and feedback to close significant gaps. The need for periodic reports should be considered, particularly where human rights conditions are changing, where such conditions are a significant impediment in our bilateral relationship, or where reporting has been minimal. Posts should also be asked for their views on what can realistically be expected in the way of human rights improvements. Posts should be encouraged to solicit the views of AID and ICA personnel abroad on human rights conditions. Any additional instructions should go to the field by July 20.

—that the Regional Bureaus in consultation with the relevant functional bureaus should provide to HA by August 13 a one or two page summary for selected countries of steps taken and planned for integrating human rights concerns into the development and implementation of our economic, security, cultural and other bilateral and multilateral programs and policies for those countries. The Bureaus may suggest formats they deem most appropriate for these summary programs.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P780122–0799. No classification marking. Schneider did not initial the memorandum. Drafted by Palmer and Schneider. According to a stamped notation, the memorandum was received in D on July 3.
2. An unknown hand bracketed this paragraph.
3. An unknown hand underlined the phrases “encourage the further development” and “of human rights programs.”
4. An unknown hand placed two vertical parallel lines in the left-hand margin next to this paragraph.
5. An unknown hand bracketed this sentence.
6. An unknown hand bracketed and underlined this sentence and added “IO” following “Regional Bureaus.”
7. An unknown hand placed a check mark next to this option and changed it to read: “Approved as revised in D.”
8. No classification marking. Drafted by Palmer and Schneider on June 16; cleared by Shurtleff, Lister, Cleveland, Fuerth, Carpenter, Hewitt, Runyon, James Ruchti (M/MO), Jennone Walker, David Moran, and Constantine Warvariv (IO/UNESCO). Palmer initialed for all the clearing officials.