173. Action Memorandum From the Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs, International Communication Agency (Ilchman) to the Director (Reinhardt)1
SUBJECT
- ECA and Second Mandate
We are anxious to move forward on designing programs in support of the second mandate.2 We have no problem with regard to assuring a strong “American learning” component in our programs involving physical exchange of persons. Well designed exchange programs have traditionally met this criterion and all new grants include, where appropriate, language identifying and assuring “American learning.”
[Page 500]We have questions about our legal authority and the Agency’s intentions to address the mandate in the area of exchange of ideas. At the third grant review panel meeting on June 22, five pilot projects were presented that were designed to test the limits and to establish the beginnings of a framework within which we can work comfortably. All those proposals were deferred at the General Counsel’s request pending guidance from you on this question. We would like to discuss the policy implications of these grants at your earliest convenience. I will call Pat3 about an appointment.
- Source: National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Subject Files, 1953–2000, Entry A–1 1066, Box 52, Educational Exchanges, Educational and Cultural Affairs, 1978–1981. No classification marking. Drafted by Inman. The date on the memorandum is stamped. There is no indication that Reinhardt saw the memorandum. Nalle initialed the memorandum, indicating that he saw it.↩
- ICA’s “second mandate” refers to the objective of educating and informing the American public about the world.↩
- Reference is to Siemien.↩