Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVI, Southern Africa

266. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter¹

Washington, February 9, 1977

[Omitted here is material unrelated to South Africa.]

2. U.S. Business in South Africa: I met today with Leon Sullivan who has been developing a program to get American businesses with an important stake in South Africa (G.M., Ford, I.B.M., and others) to help to bring about change in the country’s racial policies. Sullivan has a ten point program—including equality in compensation and hiring practices—that he plans to discuss with representatives of a number of U.S. concerns this afternoon. I told Sullivan that we welcomed his initiative and wanted to stay in touch with him (he will report to me tomorrow on his meetings). I will explore with Sullivan the best ways to implement and announce his proposals.²

[Omitted here is material unrelated to South Africa.]

1. Source: Carter Library, Plains File, Subject File, Box 37, State Department Evening Reports, 1–2/77. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum and wrote at the top of the first page: “Cy.”
2. Carter wrote next to this paragraph: “This is a good approach—every cumulative effort will help.”