Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLI, Global Issues II

288. Action Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (Horner) to Acting Secretary of State Dam¹

Washington, August 3, 1984

SUBJECT

• Instructions for U.S. Delegation to the International Conference on Population

ISSUE FOR DECISION

Whether to approve a cable transmitting instructions to the U.S. Delegation to the International Conference on Population.

BACKGROUND

The United Nations International Conference on Population opens in Mexico City, August 6. The draft instructions attached (Tab A) task the U.S. Delegation to adhere to the White House-cleared U.S. policy statement on population policy released July 13, 1984.² On United Nations-related matters (e.g., Zionism-as-racism, NIEO, etc.), the Delegation is to be guided by established U.S. policy (U.S. Ambassador to ECOSOC Alan Keyes and IO Assistant Secretary Newell are members of the Delegation).³ On any matters falling outside the above matters, the Delegation is instructed to consult with Washington. The cable also authorizes Ambassador Buckley to deliver the plenary statement attached. (Tab B).⁴ The statement and instructions have been cleared by E, OES, IO, and AID.

RECOMMENDATION

That you authorize the attached cable, which has also been sent to the NSC for clearance.⁵

Tab A

Draft Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mexico⁶

Washington, undated

Subject: International Population Conference—Instructions for U.S. Delegation.

1. The following instructions have been approved for the U.S. delegation to the United Nations International Conference on Population:

A. On all matters related to population policy, the delegation should be guided by the United States Population Policy Statement issued July 13, 1984. To the extent that population issues not covered in the policy statement arise, the delegation should consult Washington (info NSC).

B. On any matters arising during the conference that fall outside the scope of approved U.S. Policy on United Nations-related matters, the delegation should consult with the Department (info NSC).

C. The draft plenary statement of Ambassador Buckley is approved for presentation.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P850025–0960. Confidential. Drafted by Glassman and cleared in AID, OES/CP, IO/D, and E.
2. See Document 286.
3. In a July 25 letter to Gayoso, Benedick requested reassignment from the post of Coordinator of Population Affairs. (Department of State, Organization and Conference Files—Meetings/Governing Council 1984 Meetings/Governing Council, 1983–1984, Lot 87D37, U.S. Delegation ICP, Mexico City, August 1984)
4. Undated, attached but not printed.
5. Dam initialed the approve option. In the margin above the approve option, an unknown hand typed: “8/4/84 (leb).”
6. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Glassman; cleared in AID, OES/CP, IO/D, E, and S/S; and approved by Dam. In the upper right-hand margin an unknown hand wrote: “Cable sent fm S/S 8/4 1145 MS.”