169. Memorandum From the Director of the International Communication Agency (Reinhardt) to Secretary of State Vance and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
I have just been alerted to an idea that David Rockefeller may want to raise with the President—if he has not already done so—and I want to be sure that you are aware of it as well. According to our Public Affairs Officer in Brazil, Mr. Rockefeller discussed the following with Ambassador Sayre during his just-concluded trip to Brazil:
[Page 494]1. On his recent, extensive travels around the world, Mr. Rockefeller has found many chiefs of state and heads of government in smaller countries openly questioning the steadfastness of American leadership.
2. He believes that many of these leaders’ doubts and uncertainties might be dispelled if they could meet personally, if only for an hour, with President Carter.
3. Since the likelihood of a series of state visits by such leaders is small, Mr. Rockefeller suggests a series of unofficial visits, with most or all of the funding coming from the interested private sector and a private meeting with the President assured.
4. While in Washington, the visiting leaders could also meet with key cabinet or sub-cabinet officials in departments and agencies of greatest interest to his country, as well as with prominent academic leaders, public affairs councils, journalists and so on.
I believe this idea has merit and is worthy of your, and the President’s, consideration. Should a decision be made to pursue it further, we are prepared to work with Mr. Rockefeller and others that may be involved in developing the details of the proposed visits.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 9, International Communication Agency: 1–5/79. No classification marking. A stamped notation indicates that Brzezinski saw it.↩