Public Diplomacy


31. Letter From the Chair of the United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs (Marks) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 1, Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs: 3–12/77. No classification marking. Under an April 2 covering memorandum to Brzezinski, Henze sent Brzezinski a copy of Marks’s letter, stating: “It would be good if everyone came up with ideas as fast and energetically as Leonard Marks does. He has written you a somewhat more refined version of the proposals he originally made in his letter of 24 March 1977 [see Document 26]. While these proposals are not sensational, I think there is a case for our making them when good opportunities arise over the next few weeks and months. At any rate I would like to be sure that State and USIA are thinking constructively along these lines. One way of finding out is to send them Leonard’s letter and see how they respond.” Henze also recommended that Brzezinski sign an attached letter to Marks, thanking him for the proposal. (Ibid.) Brzezinski responded to Marks’s proposals in an April 6 letter, asserting: “These are worthwhile objectives and, while I am not optimistic that the Soviets and some of the East European countries will respond favorably to them immediately, I see advantages in advancing them ‛in the spirit of Helsinki’ when good opportunities present themselves over the next months.” Brzezinski also indicated that he planned to send Marks’ letter to both the Department of State and USIA, “asking for their ideas on implementing your suggestions.” (Ibid.) For Reinhardt’s response to the letter, see Document 34.


32. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 9, Board for International Broadcasting (RFE, RL, VOA): 2–12/77. Confidential. Sent for information. An unknown hand drew a downward pointing arrow at Henze’s name in the “from” line. Dodson initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. According to an attached NSC Correspondence Profile, Brzezinski “noted” the memorandum on April 6. (Ibid.)


33. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Benson)

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770068–0165. No classification marking. Mink sent a copy of Reinhardt’s memorandum to Nye under an April 19 action memorandum, requesting that Nye sign a proposed response to Reinhardt. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P77068–0167) Nye’s April 20 response to Reinhardt is printed as Document 40.


34. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, Box 116, 7701020–7701029. Confidential. Drafted by Lederer; edited by Shirley; cleared in I/SS; approved by Reinhardt. A copy was sent to Vance. According to a notation in an unidentified hand, the copy was hand-carried to the Department of State on April 15.


35. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Federal Government, United States Information Agency, Executive, Box FG–210, FG 266 1/20/77–1/21/81. No classification marking. Sent for action. Inderfurth initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. Brzezinski wrote Inderfurth’s initials below this and drew an arrow from the initials to Henze’s initials in the “from” line of the memorandum. Another copy of the memorandum is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 1, Chron File: 4–5/77.


36. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance and the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 1, Chron File: 4–5/77. Confidential. Henze sent a copy of the letter to Brzezinski for his signature under an April 13 covering memorandum, in which Henze stated: “I recommend we suggest to the President that Leonard be reappointed, but we should first see how State and USIA feel about it and whether they might have other candidates to suggest. Unless they can make a good case for someone else, I doubt whether we could do better than Leonard Marks because he combines an aggressive approach with an enormous range of contacts.” (Ibid.) According to a NSC Correspondence Profile, attached to another copy of Henze’s April 13 covering memorandum, Brzezinski, on April 16, signed the copy of the memorandum addressed to Vance and Reinhardt. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Agency File, Box 9, International Communication Agency: 2–7/77) In his June 10 Evening Report to Brzezinski, Henze reported that he had engaged in several long telephone conversations with Marks: “Among other things he [Marks] reported conversation with Vance in which latter assured him he supported him for reappointment as Chairman of USAC/IECE.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 5, Evening Reports File: 2–6/77)


37. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Director, Information Center Service, United States Information Agency (Schneidman) to the Director (Reinhardt)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, Box 117, 7701170–7701179. No classification marking. Reinhardt and Fraser initialed the memorandum, indicating that they had seen it. A stamped notation on the reverse of the first page of the memorandum indicates that it was received in I/SS at 9:27 p.m. on April 19.


38. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Outside the System File, Box 47, Chron: 4/77. No classification marking. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Carter saw it. Carter wrote in the top right hand corner: Zbig Good idea to explore. J.” Hutchenson sent a copy of the memorandum to Mondale, Brzezinski, Costanza, Eizenstat, Jordan, Powell, Fallows, and Schneiders under an April 19 typewritten note, indicating that Brzezinski’s memorandum was returned in Carter’s outbox. (Carter Library, Staff Office Files, Domestic Policy Staff, Eizenstat Files, Box 208, Foreign Affairs—(General), [CF, O/A 47] [1])


39. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Director, Motion Pictures and Television Service, United States Information Agency (Scott) to the Director (Reinhardt)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Subject Files, 1973–1978, Entry P–116, 1977: Reorganization Folder 3. No classification marking. In an April 22 note, Reinhardt thanked Scott for his “thoughtful memo” and added: “I share your view that the visual media—films, VTRs, television—can make a significant impact on our audiences and that they are an essential part of our overall USIA efforts.” (Ibid.)


40. Letter From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance (Nye) to the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt)

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770068–0163. Limited Official Use. Mink sent a copy of the letter and a copy of Reinhardt’s April 8 memorandum (see Document 33) to Nye under an April 19 action memorandum, recommending that Nye sign the letter to Reinhardt. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770068–0167)


41. Memorandum From the Chair of the United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs (Marks) to Secretary of State Vance

Source: Carter Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Foreign Affairs, Information-Exchange Activities, Executive, Box FO–35, FO–5 1/20/77–9/30/77. No classification marking. Copies were sent to the President, Duffey, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, Sparkman, and Zablocki. Marks sent a copy of the memorandum printed here to the President under an April 26 covering memorandum. (Ibid.)


42. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 1, Chron File: 4–5/77. No classification marking. Sent for information. A notation in an unknown hand indicates that a copy was sent to Huntington. The Carter administration ultimately did not issue a Presidential Review Memorandum on information programs.


43. Telegram From the Department of State to all American Republic Diplomatic Posts and the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Southern Command

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770150–0691. Unclassified; Immediate. Drafted by Luers and Einaudi; cleared by Chapman; approved by Todman.


44. Memorandum From the Chief of the Research Review Staff, Office of Research, United States Information Agency (Halsema) to the Director (Reinhardt)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, Box 119, 7701380–7701389. No classification marking. Reinhardt and Fraser initialed the memorandum, indicating that they saw it.


45. Telegram From the Embassy in Mexico to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770156–1124. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Sent for information to USIA.


46. Report of the United States Advisory Commission on Information

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of Research, Special Reports, 1953–1997, Entry P–160, Box 37, S–8–77. No classification marking. The report is the 28th annual report of the Commission. On May 10, 1977, Washington Post reporters Lee Lescaze and Richard Weintraub wrote that the report, issued on May 9, “was rushed into print in order to reach Congress before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today takes up Sen. Charles H. Percy’s (R-Ill.) amendment that would break up USIA.” (“3 Drop Recommendation To Break Up the USIA,” p. A12) As of 1977, members of the Advisory Commission were Lewis, George H. Gallup, Nielsen, Reinsch, and Shaheen.


47. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to the Acting Assistant Director, Broadcasting Service (Tuch)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Subject Files, 1953–2000, Entry A–1 1066, Box 112, VOA, History, 1977. No classification marking.


48. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to Secretary of State Vance

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770087–1535. No classification marking. There is no indication that Vance saw the memorandum.


49. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 1, Chron File: 4–5/77. Confidential. Sent for action. A notation in an unknown hand indicates that a copy was sent to Schecter. In his May 4 Evening Report to Brzezinski, Henze summarized the “two bad amendments” to the Foreign Relations Authorization bill, adding: “If we don’t act to fend these [amendments] off, the whole radio broadcasting field could be badly screwed up by them.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 5, Evening Reports File: 2–6/77)


50. Report Prepared by the Comptroller General of the United States (Staats)

Source: Comptroller General of the United States, Public Diplomacy In The Years Ahead—An Assessment Of Proposals For Reorganization. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1977.


51. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Name File, Box 2, Henze, Paul B., 2/77–2/79. Secret.


52. Memorandum From the Associate Press Secretary (Schecter) and Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Federal Government, United States Information Agency, Executive, Box FG–210, FG–266 1/20/77–1/20/81. No classification marking. Sent for information. Inderfurth initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum. A notation in an unknown hand in the lower-right hand corner reads: “Second mtg scheduled 5/24/77 @ 430.”


53. Memorandum From the Assistant Director, Latin America, United States Information Agency (Chatten) to the First Lady’s Press Secretary (Finch Hoyt)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, Box 121, 7701670–7701679. No classification marking. Copies were sent to Einaudi, Pastor, Reinhardt, Bray, and Fraser. Reinhardt and Fraser initialed the memorandum, indicating that they saw it.


54. Briefing Memorandum From the Chief of the Policy Guidance Staff, Office of Policy and Plans, United States Information Agency (Thurber) to the Deputy Director (Bray)

Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, Box 130, 7702790–7702799. No classification marking. Sent through Bastian. In the top right-hand corner of the memorandum Bray wrote, “JER Did you say you were going to talk to Tony Lake? Could we discuss? CB.” Next to this, Reinhardt wrote, “CB I see Lake Thurs. [May 26].”


55. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, Plains File, Subject File, Box 37, State Department Evening Reports, 5/77. Secret. There is no indication that the President saw the memorandum.


56. Memorandum From Paul Henze of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Horn/Special (Henze), Box 5, Evening Reports File: 2–6/77. Secret.


57. Address by the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt)

Source: Department of State Bulletin, July 4, 1977, pp. 5–8. Reinhardt delivered the commencement address at Knoxville College. His address is entitled “A Guiding Philosophy for American Informational and Cultural Programs Abroad.” A copy of Reinhardt’s speech is in the National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Office of the Director, Biographic Files Relating to USIA Directors and Other Senior Officials, 1953–2000, Entry A–1 1069, Box 24, John E. Reinhardt, Speeches, 1977.


58. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations (Bennet) to Secretary of State Vance

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P770102–1421. Confidential. Sent through Christopher and Moose; Christopher did not initial the memorandum. Drafted by Jenkins. Vance’s initials are in the lower right-hand corner of the first page of the memorandum. An unknown hand wrote “OBE 6/10/77” in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum.


59. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, White House Central Files, Subject File, Finance, Executive, Box FI–19, FI 4/FG–266 1/20/77–1/20/81. No classification marking. For Brzezinski’s response, see Document 62.


60. Airgram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State

Source: University of Arkansas Libraries, Special Collections Division, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Historical Collection (CU), MC 468, Group I: CU Organization and Administration, Series 2: Country Program Plans, Box 13, CU/EE FY 78 CPPs Unclassified, folder 22. Unclassified. Sent for information to the Consulate in Leningrad and USIA. Sent via pouch to CU/EE, EUR/SOV, Leningrad, and USIA/IEU. Drafted in P&C; cleared in P& C, ECON, SCI, and POL; approved by Matlock. A stamped notation on the airgram indicates that it was received in the Department on June 15 at 8:55 a.m.