84. 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, October 28, 1977
SUBJECT
As you know, we are beginning the final chapter of revisions of the human
rights country evaluation papers and, at the same time, requesting the
bureaus to prepare the unclassified human rights descriptions for submission
to the Congress.
With your approval, the attached memorandum will set two specific dates on a
timetable which will permit us to meet our Congressional obligations. The
human rights descriptions will be the same for the Section 116 and Section
502B requirements.
In addition, this will assure cleared versions of the country evaluation
papers available by that same date, since the descriptive portion of those
documents will be the basis for the preparation of the report to the
Congress.
Recommendation
That you sign the attached memorandum.2
[Page 278]
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)3
Washington, November 4, 1977
MEMORANDUM FOR
-
HA—Ms. Derian
-
EA—Mr. Holbrooke
-
EUR—Mr. Vest
-
NEA—Mr. Atherton
-
ARA—Amb. Todman
-
AF—Mr. Moose
-
S/P—Mr. Lake
-
PM—Mr. Gelb
- L—Mr. Hansell
- H—Mr. Bennet
-
EB—Mr. Katz
SUBJECT
Section 116 and 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended, call for
the submission by the Secretary of State to the Congress of reports on
human rights conditions in countries for which security assistance
programs and economic aid programs are being proposed.
—Section 116(d) (1) calls for submission by January 31 of each year of “a
full and complete report regarding . . . the status of internationally
recognized human rights . . . in countries that receive assistance . .
.”
—Section 502B(b) provides that as part of the presentation materials for
security assistance programs proposed for each fiscal year, the
Secretary of State shall transmit “a full and complete report, prepared
with the assistance of the Assistant Secretary for Human Rights and
Humanitarian Affairs, with respect to practices regarding the observance
of and respect for internationally recognized human rights” including
“(1) the relevant findings of appropriate international organizations,
including non-governmental organizations, such as the International
Committee of the Red Cross; and (2) the extent of cooperation by such
government in permitting an unimpeded investigation by any such
organization of alleged violations of internationally recognized human
rights.”
[Page 279]
The human rights “country evaluation papers” currently being prepared
provide a useful vehicle for developing the reports to Congress required
by these statutory provisions. Specifically, Section A of those
classified papers should be prepared in an unclassified form suitable
for use as the required human rights report to Congress. These reports
will form a key part of the Congressional and public perception of the
commitment of this Administration both to its human rights policy and to
an open foreign policy. They should therefore be as full and complete as
possible without revealing classified information.
Currently, HA and S/P are meeting with relevant personnel in your bureaus to
review necessary changes in the country evaluation papers. The Deputy
Secretary has requested that the revision of those papers and of the
unclassified versions of Section A (cleared by P, L, H, S/P and where indicated, PM, EB, and
AID) be submitted to HA by November 22. Dissenting views should
be stated if necessary. It is important that as many of the papers as
possible be submitted to HA well prior
to that date, so as not to overburden HA
at the last minute.
The final versions of the country evaluation papers and of the
unclassified versions of Section A of those papers, with appropriate
clearances, should be submitted to S/S
by HA no later than December 15. Again,
it is important that a significant number of these papers be provided
well prior to that date.
