126. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to all Assistant Secretaries of State1
SUBJECT
- Provision of Policy Guidance to ICA Media
Some time ago I asked a State-USIA group to examine the adequacy of State policy guidance to USIA media, as an element of the Department’s obligation to provide policy guidance to ICA.
I have now received and reviewed the group’s report, and have consulted ICA on its suggestions.2 In general, the proposals would regularize and continue present mutually beneficial contacts between ICA and State.
As a result of this process of consultation, I am requesting appropriate elements of the Department to take the following actions:
—PA should continue to provide policy guidance to ICA media as it does now. Outside normal working hours, the PA press duty officer will be the source of guidance on breaking stories.
—If you are not already doing so, I request that all bureaus and independent offices, except INR, invite an ICA representative to attend regular general staff meetings in which representatives of other agencies outside State normally participate. (If you are not sure whom to invite, please consult Harold Schneidman, Acting Associate Director of ICA for Programs at 724–9349.)
—PA will advise ICA of upcoming events (speeches, interviews, etc.) involving senior departmental officials, and bureaus will also keep ICA informed of events and developments such as foreign policy announcements which are likely to generate press interest.
—S/P and the bureaus concerned will be responsible for providing ICA on a timely basis with appropriate briefing and background information on issues and events of consequence.
—Senior ICA officers have agreed to brief regional and functional bureaus on that Agency’s needs and the role its programs can play in [Page 376] U.S. foreign policy. Please contact Mr. Schneidman’s office (ICA/PGM 724–9349) to arrange such briefings.
I have assigned M/MO the responsibility of supporting me in coordinating the overall State-ICA relationship. Please consult Mr. Ken Hill (Extension 21684) of that office on questions concerning this memorandum or relations with ICA.
I hope and expect that these steps will result in even closer and more effective State-ICA cooperation at all levels than has existed in the past between the Department and USIA.
Acting Secretary
- Source: National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Subject Files, 1953–2000, Entry A–1 1066, Box 44, U.S. International Communication Agency, Reorganization, 1977. No classification marking. A notation in an unknown hand indicates that copies were sent to all ECA offices. Christopher served as Acting Secretary while Vance traveled to Sudan (April 13), Tanzania (April 13–16), South Africa (April 16–17), Zimbabwe (April 17), the United Kingdom (April 18–19), and the Soviet Union (April 19–23).↩
- Not found and not further identified.↩