366. Evening Reading for President Reagan1

This is to alert you that the Domestic Policy Council (DPC) meets next week to consider U.S. policy in ongoing international negotiations on protection of the stratospheric ozone layer. John Whitehead will represent me. Until now the U.S. has played a strong and widely acclaimed leadership role in these talks. I have written Ed Meese2 of my strong belief that a weakening of the U.S. negotiating position, as [Page 1045] advocated by some agencies, would generate adverse political reactions at home and abroad. Strong feelings in Congress3 could lead to stringent unilateral U.S. regulations, which would be far less desirable for U.S. industry and consumers than a global accord. A retreat could also undermine our credibility in the area of international environmental protection when in fact this negotiation presents an excellent opportunity for the Administration to score a significant success in this field.

  1. Source: Department of State, Environmental Issues, 1979–1993, Lot 93D395, Ozone. Drafted by Benedick on June 5 and cleared by Negroponte and Smith. There is no indication Reagan saw this document.
  2. See Tab A, Document 364.
  3. See “Briefing: Hodel Catching the Heat; Tug of War on the Presidential Debates; Crusade on Capital Gains,” New York Times, June 4, 1987, p. B8.