Office of the Historian

39. Note From the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Ridgway) to Secretary of State Shultz1

Washington, February 11, 1986

Mr. Secretary:

You found Nick Salgo’s views2 helpful on developing more effective techniques to advance U.S. interests in Eastern Europe and asked for a paper to serve as the basis for discussion with a small group in the Department. There is attached a paper with EUR’s views.3 In brief, we find that:

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Our differentiation policy has worked in spite of continuing unresolved differences over how it should be interpreted in dealing with Eastern Europe.
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While the word doesn’t trouble us, it bothers the East Europeans who have to defend their interest in closer relations with us against Soviet charges of wedge-driving. Where possible, we should try to define our policy in terms of recognition of the region’s diversity rather than the short-hand “label” of differentiation.
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Nonetheless, our differentiation policy provides a valid framework to advance our interests in Eastern Europe; we need not change our basic approach. In working EE issues, however, we must not lose [Page 135] sight of the geopolitical realities which limit our ability to effect change and provide the real framework for our choices.
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Depending on the situation of each individual country, we propose:
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Expanded political dialogue, including areas such as terrorism; regular political consultations at a level calibrated to our differentiated treatment of each; and greater use of a “two-track” approach on human rights which combines public pronouncement with quiet diplomatic initiative.
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A concerted effort to expand U.S. trade, recognizing that the economic relationship gives us leverage in other areas. This includes more efficient and rational export-licensing, targeting of promising exports, and work with Commerce to enhance our commercial presence in Eastern Europe.

We’ve also attached a suggested list of participants4 for a meeting5—whenever you are ready to hold one.

Rozanne L. Ridgway6
  1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, Sensitive and Super Sensitive Documents, 1984–1989, Lot 92 D 52, ES Sensitive, February 12–22, 1986. Secret. Shultz’s initials were stamped at the top of the note. McKinley initialed and dated the top of the note on November 2. An unknown hand wrote, “S/S & EUR see GPS note & meeting time.”↩
  2. See Document 38.↩
  3. Attached but not printed. The attachment, drafted by Kuchel, was entitled “Advancing U.S. Interests in Eastern Europe” and was dated January 29.↩
  4. Attached but not printed.↩
  5. Shultz highlighted the words “a meeting” and wrote beneath this line, “OK to sch[edule].”↩
  6. Ridgway signed “Roz” above her typed signature. Underneath her signature, an unknown hand wrote, “March 6, 1986, 4:30–5:30 p.m.”↩