74. Editorial Note

During September, October, and November 1984, Ambassador Max Kampelman traveled to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, the Vatican, NATO headquarters, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Ireland to discuss Soviet human rights violations. Further documentation of the Kampelman mission is in the Department of State, Assistant Secretary Subject Files—Human Rights Country Files, 1984, Lot 86D220, SHUM—Soviet Union Mission on Soviet Human Rights 1984.

On September 7, Kampelman met with Vatican officials. In a discussion with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, the Vatican diplomat emphasized that “the Soviets are extremely sensitive and mistrustful. If pushed too hard, they will react negatively because of this insecurity.” Casaroli indicated “the mood in Poland as one of resignation and silent, unenthusiastic agreement” and added that “the Poles are more concerned with economics and daily life.” (Telegram 22253 from Rome, September 10; Department of State, Assistant Secretary Subject Files—Human Rights Country Files, 1984, Lot 86D220, SHUM—Soviet Union Mission on Soviet Human Rights 1984)

On September 11, Kampelman met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Svenn Stray. Stray stressed that while he agreed that greater multilateral coordination on human rights issues should occur, the Norweigian Government “preferred to emphasize pragmatic approaches rather than public posturing and that the West should focus on the rights of individuals rather than upon attempting to alter Soviet society.” Stray suggested allowing non-members of the Council of Europe, such as Canada and the United States, to participate in “preparatory [Page 225] work on specific human rights issues.” Kampelman welcomed the suggestion. (Telegram 5096 from Oslo, September 13; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840582–0752)

On September 14, Kampelman met with Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and stressed the importance of injecting a “humanizing influence into Soviet thinking.” Palme replied that he felt “pessimistic about the present trend of tightening up [on human rights] in the Soviet Union,” adding “The Soviets seem insensitive right now to what others say; they have internal problems and are tightening their grip, and moreover they believe they can’t get anything from the West now anyway.” Palme criticized U.S human rights policy, stating, “You don’t care about human rights in your own orbit,” and rejecting Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick’s distinction between authoritarian and totalitarian states. Palme added, “Your position would be better if you showed you care about human rights outside of the Soviet empire.” Kampelman stated that “while Pinochet’s policies are deplorable—and indeed we are doing what we can to improve them—they do not threaten the peace of the world. Because they affect the overall East-West relationship, Soviet human rights violations do, and that is why we are concentrating on them.” (Telegram 6320 from Stockholm, September 15; Department of State, Assistant Secretary Subject Files—Human Rights Country Files, 1984, Lot 86D220, SHUM—Soviet Union Mission on Human Rights 1984)