Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume I, Foundations of Foreign Policy

148. Information Memorandum From the Chairman of the Policy Planning Council (Bosworth) to Secretary of State Shultz¹

Washington, April 6, 1983

SUBJECT

• Foreign Policy Directions Project

The Foreign Policy Directions exercise is now underway.² Working with the regional and functional bureaus, we have organized the program in three clusters to reflect our central global objectives. These are:

I. Promoting Economic Recovery and Growth

II. Enhancing Western Security

III. Managing U.S. Global Interests

Under each of these headings, we will be undertaking a series of policy studies, designed to clarify and advance our long-term objectives and sort out implications for U.S. action.

In the initial round, we are working with appropriate bureaus on seven studies. The papers will be fully cleared, but we have asked that differences of view among bureaus be highlighted rather than compromised in order to illuminate policy alternatives. Annotated outlines of the papers will be provided to S/P in two weeks; we are to receive final papers from the bureaus by May 1.

Attached is a summary of the initial work program and of prospective policy studies. As the work progresses, we will try to set up one or more seminars with you and other Seventh Floor principals to discuss the analysis and conclusions. Meanwhile, I would greatly welcome your comments on any of these subjects and suggestions for other topics.

Attachment

Summary Prepared in the Policy Planning Council³

Washington, undated

INITIAL WORK PROGRAM

1. Economic Policy Convergence:

How should we shape discussions among Summit countries as the focus of our consultations expands from containing inflation to managing stable growth?

2. Trade-Finance:

What shape is the global matrix of trade and financial flows likely to take over the next five years, and what major policy issues are posed by such patterns for the international economy and U.S. policy?

3. Arms Control:

How can we insure that the arms control process serves U.S. interests regardless of whether agreements ensue?

4. U.S.-USSR-China Relations:

What should be our strategy toward this triangular relationship?

5. How Can We Improve Multilateral Diplomacy—both in UN/NAM/G–77 diplomacy and with other international groups.

In addition, OES has agreed to take a fresh look at our nuclear non-proliferation policy and S/P will initiate an in-house look at the lessons of Iran, especially the issues of modernization vs. traditional values in promoting political stability.

Additional Policy Studies

I. Promoting Economic Recovery and Growth

1. How can we establish a system of trade rules and negotiations that works?

2. Objectives of energy cooperation among the major industrial countries?

II. Enhancing Western Security

1. How can we strengthen allied political cooperation?

2. How can we best sustain vital U.S. and allied defense programs?

III. Managing U.S. Global Interests

1. Strategies toward key regional crises this year and next should existing policies fall short of success.

2. Developing more effective multilateral consultations and coordination with and among allied and friendly states to serve U.S. global interests.

3. Dealing more effectively with non-governmental forces affecting our international interests.

4. How to deal with the successor generations.

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/P Files, Memoranda and Correspondence from the Director of the Policy Planning Staff to the Secretary and Other Seventh Floor Principals: Lot 89D149, S/P Chrons 4/1–15/83. Secret. Kaplan initialed for Bosworth. Copies were sent to Dam, Eagleburger, Wallis, William Schneider (T), Jerome Van Gorkom (M), Derwinski, and Richard Kennedy (S/NP).
2. See Document 123.
3. Secret. Drafted by Ruth Whiteside (S/P) on April 6.