Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXX, Public Diplomacy

82. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Reinhardt) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)¹

Washington, July 26, 1977

SUBJECT

• President Carter’s Speech on US–USSR Relations

The President’s speech at Charleston² provided an excellent opportunity to answer anti-U.S. comment appearing in Soviet and other media. Because of its importance, I thought you might be interested in a quick rundown of how it was handled and our plans for the future.

To obtain the quickest and widest distribution of the speech at the time of delivery, the Voice of America carried it live worldwide and then rebroadcast it in prime time to all areas of the world. The speech was also broadcast in full in Russian and major Soviet languages. Other language services broadcast extensive excerpts. Followups were provided with correspondent reports and an analysis of the key points in the speech.

Copies of the speech were sent by Wireless File to all posts and a VTR was produced of the entire speech, especially for USIS Moscow and Leningrad and also made available worldwide.

Copies were also given to resident foreign correspondents in Washington and New York who were invited to our press centers to hear the speech live.

Looking ahead, we have and will continue to urge all media to maximize the key points in the speech. We told the PAO’s of the importance of the speech, urged that they bring it to the attention of the Chiefs of Mission and insure maximum dissemination among key audiences.

To back up our posts, we will proceed along the following lines here during the next few weeks:

The Voice of America has asked its overseas correspondents to file reports from their vantage points on foreign reaction. U.S. and foreign media reaction will be used in opinion roundups. VOA is also considering a “Press Conference USA” program to discuss US–USSR relations using the speech as a reference point. A videotape of this program will be made for worldwide use.

Our press service is preparing an analytical article on the speech and will do a discussion piece interviewing Soviet experts. We are considering the possibility of using the speech as an insert in the next edition of America Illustrated, now coming off the presses. Plans are being made to reproduce the speech as a pamphlet in East European and major world languages.

In addition, we have asked our posts to send us foreign media reaction on the speech. Reports of early reactions have already been sent to your office.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 9, International Communication Agency: 2–7/77. No classification marking. According to another copy of the memorandum, it was drafted by Thurber; cleared by Schneidman, Fraser, and in I/SS; and approved by Reinhardt. (National Archives, RG 306, Office of the Director, Executive Secretariat, Secretariat Staff, Correspondence Files, 1973–1980, Entry P–104, 7702920–7702929) In a July 28 memorandum, Brzezinski thanked Reinhardt for his July 26 memorandum, noting: “It was very helpful to learn how USIA handled the speech and your plans for the future.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 9, International Communication Agency: 2–7/77)
2. Reference is to the President’s July 21 address before members of the Southern Legislative Conference, attending their annual meeting in Charleston. For the text, see Public Papers: Carter, 1977, Book II, pp. 1309–1315. The address is also printed in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, Document 52.