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

300. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Carlucci) to President Reagan ¹

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• Memorandum to Cabinet Officials on Your Focus for the European Trip

Issue

To sign the attached memorandum circulating a concept paper indicating your focus for your European trip on the Venice Economic Summit (Tab A).²

Facts

We had originally recommended that you introduce the theme for the European trip at a meeting of the EPC-DPC, which has been subsequently cancelled. As an alternative, it is recommended that you sign the attached memorandum circulating the theme as a concept paper to members of your Cabinet.

Discussion

In order to facilitate substantive preparation and the public diplomacy program associated with your trip, an expression of your personal interest in the central focus of the trip will be most useful.

Recommendation

OK	No
_____	_____	That you sign the memorandum at Tab A.3

Tab A

Memorandum From President Reagan to Members of the Cabinet⁴

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• Concept Paper for My Trip to Europe and the Venice Economic Summit (C)

On June 3, 1987 I will leave on an important trip to Europe where I will meet with our friends in Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany and at the Economic Summit in Venice. This trip presents an important opportunity for the United States and its partners in the Alliance. The trip will not only celebrate the anniversary of a number of historic events such as the Marshall Plan, the GATT negotiations,⁵ the Treaty of Rome⁶ and the founding of Berlin,⁷ but also gives us an occasion to mobilize our collective resources to plan for the challenges of the 21st century. (C)

I have approved the enclosed concept paper as a guide to substantive preparation for my June journey. In the weeks ahead, I will be focusing on these themes and their corresponding messages; focusing upon the cohesion of the Alliance and its limitless capacity for peace and prosperity; focusing upon what we should be doing now and during the remainder of my Administration to chart a sound course toward the interdependent world of the new century. I would ask you and your departments to do the same. (C)

Attachment

Paper Prepared in the National Security Council⁸

Washington, undated

LOOKING AHEAD: THE ALLIANCE AND THE CHALLENGE OF A NEW CENTURY

Basic Concepts:

—Looking Back: Forming the Alliance and its supporting institutions demonstrated a commitment to commonly held ideals of political, economic and individual freedom.

Out of the rubble of World War II, building on the surviving symbols of Western civilization, religious values and commercial enterprise, there arose an alliance of democratic nations, dedicated to free political expression, economic prosperity and mutual security. Forty years ago the institutional foundation for those ideals was secured by the Marshall Plan. The GATT, the World Bank and IMF and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were built upon the dedication and unity of the allied nations.

—Looking Within: Today, four decades of dynamic cooperation have brought to the Summit nations and to the free world unprecedented prosperity and security, but at the price of steady watchfulness.

This compact has produced a Western Europe united by a common market, by mutual security commitments and by the establishment of democratic governments in every national capital. In Japan, it has meant the establishment of the strongest democracy in East Asia, the world’s second largest economy, and a firm political alliance with its partners in Western Europe and the United States. These common interests have been the vessel and engine of our reconstruction, growth and security for ourselves as well as for the international system. Our cohesion and our institutions, however, continue to be tested by external threats to security, by internal complacency and by new challenges—and opportunities—in East-West relations and in economic interdependence.

—Looking Ahead: The Summit nations, by their rededication to vigilance and unity, will preserve for themselves and the free world the principles and institutions of liberty, peace and prosperity into the 21st century.

The strength and longevity of the current economic expansion underscores the promise which the future holds. Today, after forty years, the economic, political and defensive strength of the Alliance has significantly increased. No force can stay its influence; no wall can exclude its ideals. Thus, we need not fear to negotiate, for we negotiate from strength. We need not fear the future for the future brings new promise. However, to turn the promise of peace and expanding prosperity into reality, it is essential that the Summit democracies maintain the vigilance, unity, and strength that have brought us to this moment of opportunity.

The Summit Seven nations must stand together, as we chart a course toward the interdependent new world of the new century.

1. Source: Reagan Library, Sally Grooms Files, Interagency Public Diplomacy Working Group, Concept Paper & Responses: 1987. Confidential. Sent for action. Printed from an uninitialed copy. Prepared by Alexander Platt. Danzansky sent the memorandum to Carlucci under an April 23 memorandum, indicating that due to the cancellation of the EPC–DPC meeting scheduled for April 24, the President would not be able “to orally introduce the themes for the European trip and Venice Economic Summit.” Danzansky recommended that “in order to get the public diplomacy project underway,” Carlucci sign the memorandum to the President. (Ibid.) There is no indication that Carlucci approved or disapproved the recommendation.
2. The G–7 Economic Summit meeting was scheduled to take place in Venice, June 8–10; see footnote 14, Document 289. The President was scheduled to meet with Cossiga and Fanfani in Rome and with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican on June 6. Following the summit meeting, the President was scheduled to attend the 750th anniversary celebrations in Berlin and meet with Kohl, June 11–12; see footnote 4, Document 294. Documentation on these meetings is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. VIII, Western Europe, 1985–1988, and Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XXXVII, Trade; Monetary Policy; Industrialized Country Cooperation, 1985–1988.
3. There is no indication that the President approved or disapproved the recommendation.
4. Confidential. No drafting information appears on the memorandum.
5. On October 30, 1947, 23 nations signed the GATT in Geneva. It took effect on January 1, 1948.
6. The Treaty of Rome, signed by Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands in 1957, established the European Economic Community.
7. The city of Berlin was founded in 1237. The 750th anniversary celebrations were scheduled to take place in June; see footnote 4, Document 294.
8. Confidential. No drafting information appears on the paper.