Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973–1976

48. Telegram 220772 From the Department of State to All Diplomatic Posts, September 6, 1976, 1933Z.¹ ²

September 6, 1976, 1933Z

TELEGRAM
Department of State
220772

P 061933Z SEP 76

FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC POSTS PRIORITY
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
USMISSION EC BRUSSELS PRIORITY
USMISSION NATO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY
USLO PEKING PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY TAIPEI PRIORITY
USMISSION OECD PARIS PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BEIRUT BY POUCH
USINT BAGHDAD BY POUCH

STATE 220772

E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: PFOR, UN

SUBJECT: PRE-31ST UNGA CONSULTATIONS

1. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND. 31ST REGULAR SESSION OF UNGA BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 21. THIS MESSAGE OUTLINES US OBJECTIVES AT SESSION, SUMMARIZES ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED, PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS ON THEM.

2. UNGA CONVENES WITHIN MONTH OF END OF NON-ALIGNED SUMMIT. WE LOBBIED BEFORE SUMMIT PRIMARILY TO INFLUENCE OUTCOME AT UNGA ON ISSUES OF KEY IMPORTANCE TO US. ALTHOUGH MANY NON-ALIGNED STATES SOUGHT MODERATE AND CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH TO IMPORTANT ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ISSUES, EXTREME POSITIONS USUALLY PREVAILED AND RHETORIC WAS ABOUT AS CONFRONTATIONAL AS EVER. ACCORDINGLY, WE MUST ANTICIPATE VIGOROUS EFFORTS TO INTRODUCE CONTENTIOUS FORMULATIONS OF COLOMBO INTO 31ST UNGA.

3. AT 31ST UNGA, THORNY ISSUES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA LIKELY BE MAJOR PREOCCUPATION, AND ATMOSPHERE SURROUNDING THEM WILL DEPEND IN LARGE PART UPON OUTCOME OF CURRENT US EFFORTS RESOLVE THEM. PRESSURES, RIVALRIES AND FRUSTRATIONS STEMMING FROM MIDDLE EAST SITUATION, INCLUDING LEBANESE TRAGEDY, WILL CONTINUE AND RADICAL LDC’S WILL BE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTH/SOUTH ECONOMIC DIALOGUE TO REASSERT THEIR LEADERSHIP WHICH DECLINED AFTER OUR INITIATIVES AT SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION IN 1975. AT SAME TIME THERE ARE FAVORABLE ELEMENTS: ASSEMBLY WILL TAKE PLACE AGAINST BACKGROUND OF SEVERAL YEARS OF SUSTAINED US LEADERSHIP ON GLOBAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS; AND OUR STRENGTHENED EFFORT TO CONSULT WITH OTHERS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES THROUGHOUT YEAR IS GRADUALLY MAKING IMPACT.

4. US OBJECTIVES. WE WANT GENERALLY TO PROJECT AN AMERICAN IMAGE OF CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH AND PURPOSE:

(A) TO PROMOTE WORLD SYSTEM IN WHICH GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES FEEL GENUINE STAKE AND WHICH ENCOURAGES NEGOTIATIONS RATHER THAN CONFRONTATION;

(B) IN HANDLING OF SENSITIVE AREAS OF DISPUTE, ESPECIALLY SOUTHERN AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST, KOREA AND CYPRUS, TO ENCOURAGE GENUINE NEGOTIATIONS IF THESE ARE POSSIBLE, BUT IF NOT, TO PRESERVE FRAMEWORKS AND OPTIONS FOR NEGOTIATION AT LATER TIME;

(C) TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM OF THE SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION BY DEMONSTRATING OUR DETERMINATION TO IMPLEMENT SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IN THE INTEREST OF BOTH DC’S AND LDC’S;

(D) TO PRESERVE INTEGRITY OF THE UN CHARTER AND STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UN BODIES.

5. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. POSTS SHOULD MAKE REPRESENTATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SINCE G-77 MEETING IN MEXICO CITY BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 13 MAY BE ATTENDED BY OFFICIALS GOING TO UNGA, POSTS IN G-77 COUNTRIES SHOULD CONSIDER NEED TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS BEFORE DEPARTURE OF THESE OFFICIALS. POSTS HAVE DISCRETION IN RAISING ISSUES PARAS 6 AND 7 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. DEPARTMENT REQUESTS REPORT ON OFFICIALS CONTACTED AND THEIR REACTIONS. VIEWS OFFERED OR QUESTIONS RAISED ON ADDITIONAL TOPICS SHOULD ALSO BE REPORTED.

6. KEY ISSUES. KOREA, PUERTO RICO, MIDDLE EAST AND PANAMA CANAL WILL BE TREATED SEPTEL.

7. OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES.

(A) SOUTHERN AFRICA. DEPENDING UPON OUTCOME OF CURRENT EFFORTS TO RESOLVE RHODESIAN AND NAMIBIAN ISSUES, MOST ACRIMONIOUS DEBATES IN 31ST UNGA COULD CONCERN THESE KEY SOUTHERN AFRICAN ISSUES. WE CONTINUE TO HOPE, HOWEVER, THAT INITIATIVES UNDERWAY WILL BE PRODUCTIVE. REGARDLESS OF THEIR OUTCOME, WE CAN EXPECT SOUTH AFRICA TO BE STRONGLY CONDEMNED FOR ITS REPRESSIVE DOMESTIC POLICIES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPRESS OUR ABHORRENCE OF APARTHEID.

TALKING POINTS.

-- SECRETARY OUTLINED IN APRIL 27 LUSAKA SPEECH AND MORE RECENTLY IN BOSTON (AUGUST 2) AND PHILADELPHIA (AUGUST 31) OUR COMMITMENT TO HELPING AFRICANS SOLVE DIFFICULT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS FACING THEM WITHOUT OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.

-- WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING TO ASSIST IN PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF NAMIBIAN AND RHODESIAN PROBLEMS.

-- WE HOPE CURRENT EFFORTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND THAT DIVISIVE UNGA DEBATES ON THESE ISSUES WILL BE AVOIDED IN FORTHCOMING SESSION.

(B) ZIONISM/RACISM. ZIONISM/RACISM ISSUE WAS RAISED AT LAST GA IN CONNECTION WITH DEBATE ON DECADE FOR ACTION TO COMBAT RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. DESPITE STRONG US OBJECTIONS, GA ADOPTED RESOLUTION 3379, WHICH SAID ZIONISM IS FORM OF RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND HENCE, COULD BE ADDRESSED IN PROGRAM FOR DECADE. AS RESULT, US ANNOUNCED DECISION NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM OR IN THE DISCUSSION OF DECADE. GA RESOLUTION WAS RE-ENDORSED BY COLOMBO SUMMIT ALTHOUGH FOUR STATES (ARGENTINA, C.A.R., IVORY COAST, AND PANAMA) ENTERED RESERVATIONS WHICH POSTS, AS APPROPRIATE, MAY NOTE AS HELPFUL IN INDICATING OBJECTION TO REITERATION OF THE GA FORMULATION.

TALKING POINTS.

-- US WISHES TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM FOR DECADE, BUT NOT IF IT INCLUDES REFERENCE TO ZIONISM AS FORM OF RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

-- WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO MAKE A SIMILAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN CONTENTIOUS RESOLUTION AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM FOR DECADE.

-- WE BELIEVE PROVISIONS FOR DECADE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THOSE FORMS OF RACISM AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION DEFINED BY A CONSENSUS SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH LAUNCHED THE DECADE DURING 28TH UNGA. THIS WOULD NOT INCLUDE ZIONISM.

(C) CYPRUS. CYPRUS DEBATE THIS FALL WILL PROBABLY FOLLOW PATTERN OF LAST TWO YEARS IN WHICH THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT PROCEDURAL QUESTION AS WELL AS SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTION. PROCEDURAL QUESTION WILL CONSIDER WHETHER DEBATE SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN ONE OF GA’S MAIN COMMITTEES, WHERE TURKISH CYPRIOTS COULD BE HEARD, OR IN PLENARY WHERE ORDINARILY THEY WOULD NOT BE HEARD. PRECEDENT WAS SET IN 1974 WHEN CYPRUS DEBATE WAS HELD IN PLENARY RATHER THAN COMMITTEE, ALTHOUGH A COMPROMISE WAS WORKED OUT WHEREBY THE PLENARY DEBATE WAS TRANSFERRED TO COMMITTEE FOR SEVERAL SESSIONS TO PERMIT TURK CYPRIOTS TO PARTICIPATE. TURKS NOW ARE MOUNTING A MAJOR EFFORT TO ASSIGN ENTIRE ITEM TO THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE. ON SUBSTANTIVE SIDE, THE GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS PROBABLY AGAIN WILL INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WITHDRAWAL OF ALL FOREIGN MILITARY FORCES ON THE ISLAND.

TALKING POINTS.

-- WE WILL ENCOURAGE LOW-KEY DEBATE. (FYI. THE TURKS HAVE ASKED FOR OUR SUPPORT IN OVERTURNING 1974 PROCEDURAL PRECEDENT, BUT WE HAVE MADE NO COMMITMENTS. AT A MINIMUM, WE WILL SUPPORT COMPROMISE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS WHEREBY DEBATE IS TRANSFERRED FOR SEVERAL SESSIONS TO COMMITTEE. END FYI.)

-- WE STRONGLY SUPPORT ROLE OF SECRETARY GENERAL IN HIS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES AND WILL WORK FOR A FINAL RESOLUTION ACCEPTABLE TO ALL THE PARTIES.

(D) WESTERN SAHARA. WESTERN (FORMERLY SPANISH) SAHARA ISSUE LIKELY ARISE AGAIN AT THE 31ST UNGA. ALGERIA CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE IN MULTILATERAL FORA THE MOROCCAN/MAURITANIAN TAKEOVER OF THE WESTERN SAHARA. RECENT OAU SUMMIT CALLED FOR EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT TO DISCUSS SAHARA PROBLEM, BUT IT APPEARS UNLIKELY IT WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE UNGA. COLOMBO SUMMIT TOOK NOTE OF THE PLANNED OAU SUMMIT AND EXPRESSED HOPE THAT JUST AND DURABLE SOLUTION COULD BE FOUND. US HOPES TO AVOID A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN ALGERIA AND MOROCCO/MAURITANIA AT GA SUCH AS OCCURRED LAST YEAR.

TALKING POINT.

-- IN THE GA AND ELSEWHERE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE SAHARAN DISPUTE PEACEFULLY AND ON A REGIONAL BASIS.

(E) UNRWA FINANCING. UNRWA’S CHRONIC BUDGET PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMPOUNDED THIS YEAR BY INFLATION AND CIVIL STRIFE AND DISLOCATION IN LEBANON. SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND RESULTING PALESTINIAN EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED BY UNRWA REMAIN ESSENTIAL IN MAINTAINING MEASURE OF STABILITY IN AREAS THROUGHOUT MIDDLE EAST WHERE PALESTINIAN REFUGEES ARE CONCENTRATED.

TALKING POINTS.

-- USG IS WORKING TO INCREASE ITS ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION (WHICH IN PAST YEARS HAS BEEN ABOUT 35 PERCENT OF THE AGENCY’S BUDGET) TO HELP COVER UNRWA’S SHARPLY RISING COSTS.

-- WE HOPE OTHER GOVERNMENTS WILL INCREASE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA.

(F) INDIAN OCEAN PEACE ZONE (IOPZ). IN 1971 GA ADOPTED RESOLUTION DECLARING INDIAN OCEAN TO BE QUOTE ZONE OF PEACE UNQUOTE. IN 1972 IT ESTABLISHED AD NOC COMMITTEE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN. AT RECENT COLOMBO SUMMIT, THE NAC CONDEMNED DIEGO GARCIA BY NAME (BUT DID NOT MENTION US), AND FOREIGN MILITARY BASES AND GREAT POWER RIVALRY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN IN GENERAL. IT URGED CONCERTED ACTION AT 31ST GA TO IMPLEMENT IOPZ CONCEPT BY SPECIFIC FIRST STEP OF CONVENING A CONFERENCE ON INDIAN OCEAN. US CONSISTENTLY HAS ABSTAINED ON IOPZ RESOLUTIONS AND HAS REFUSED TO CONSULT WITH AD HOC COMMITTEE.

TALKING POINTS.

-- ALTHOUGH US SHARES AIM OF PROMOTING PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN REGION OF INDIAN OCEAN AND AGREES COMPETITIVE EXPANSION OF MILITARY PRESENCES IN AREA WOULD NOT SERVE THIS AIM AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED, WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT DECLARING A QUOTE ZONE OF PEACE UNQUOTE CAN ADEQUATELY RESOLVE COMPLEX QUESTIONS INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT ARMS CONTROL AND LAW OF THE SEA CONSIDERATIONS.

-- IN PARTICULAR, WE DO NOT ACCEPT PREMISE THAT A REGIONAL GROUP OF STATES CAN IMPOSE A SPECIAL LEGAL REGIME ON A CERTAIN PART OF HIGH SEAS.

-- US HAS MADE CLEAR IT WOULD EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN INDIAN OCEAN, PRESUMING THAT RESTRAINT ALSO OBSERVED BY OTHERS.

(G) HUMAN RIGHTS. VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AS A RESULT OF TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT IS OF PARAMOUNT CONCERN TO US. GA REFLECTED THIS CONCERN DURING THE 30TH SESSION WHEN IT ADOPTED A DECLARATION ON THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS FROM BEING SUBJECTED TO TORTURE (RES. 3452). PRELIMINARY WORK TOWARD IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS DECLARATION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS, BUT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT GA ACTION THIS SESSION WILL BE POSSIBLE.

TALKING POINTS.

-- US WILL MONITOR THE SUBJECT CLOSELY, LOOKING FOR APPROACHES WHICH WILL KEEP THE GA ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND WILL WELCOME CLOSE CONSULTATIONS WITH ALL OTHER CONCERNED MEMBER STATES.

(H) INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. WE REMAIN DEEPLY AND URGENTLY CONCERNED THAT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TAKE STEPS TO COMBAT INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, AND WE HAVE STATED PUBLICLY WE WILL TAKE OR SUPPORT AN ANTI-TERRORIST INITIATIVE AT UN. AN IMPORTANT MANIFESTATION OF TERRORISM IS INTERNATIONAL HIJACKING AND TAKING OF HOSTAGES. SECRETARY TOLD THE 30TH UNGA, QUOTE THE HIJACKING OF AIRCRAFT, THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF INNOCENT CIVILIAN VICTIMS FOR PRESUMED POLITICAL GAIN REMAIN A PLAGUE ON CIVILIZED MAN. UNQUOTE.

ALTHOUGH POSTS SHOULD NOT REPEAT NOT INITIATE DISCUSSION OF THE FRG’S ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO PROPOSE AT THIS GA MEASURES AGAINST THE TAKING OF HOSTAGES, WE HAVE INDICATED THAT WE WILL SUPPORT THEM. THIS PROPOSAL, ABOUT WHICH FRG NOW CONSULTING OTHER GOVERNMENTS, CONTEMPLATES ESTABLISHMENT BY UNGA OF COMMITTEE TO DRAFT CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST TAKING OF HOSTAGES. FRG PLANS TO CONCENTRATE ON HOSTAGES, AND NOT ON BROADER QUESTION OF TERRORISM SINCE IT DOES NOT BELIEVE GA WILLING TO TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME ON BROADER ISSUE.

TERRORISM/HOSTAGES ISSUE IS AN IMPORTANT ONE TO THE USG. AS TACTICS DEVELOP CONCERNING FRG PROPOSAL AND OTHER APPROACHES TO THIS ISSUE, POSTS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ACCORDINGLY.

(I) DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. THE COLOMBO SUMMIT ENDORSED YUGOSLAV-SPONSORED IDEA OF SPECIAL GA ON DISARMAMENT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION THAT SUCH SPECIAL SESSION POSES ESSENTIALLY THE SAME RISKS OF UNPRODUCTIVE CONFRONTATION AS WORLD DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE. WE RECOGNIZE, HOWEVER, THAT A SPECIAL SESSION, UNLIKE A WDC, CAN BE CONVENED WITH OR WITHOUT OUR SUPPORT, BY A MAJORITY OF UN MEMBERSHIP. THIS NOW APPEARS LIKELY IN VIEW OF ENDORSEMENT BY COLOMBO SUMMIT.

TALKING POINT.

--IN DETERMINING OUR FINAL POSITION ON SPECIAL SESSION, WE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EXTENT TO WHICH REALISTIC AND POTENTIALLY CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM CAN BE DEVELOPED.

(J) UNCTAD IV: COMMODITIES. COMMODITIES RESOLUTION PASSED AT UNCTAD IV IN NAIROBI CONTAINS TWO SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS WHICH MAY BE DISCUSSED AT UN. INITIALLY, IT PROVIDES FOR SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS ON BROAD RANGE OF MEASURES FOR IMPROVING TRADE IN 18 INDIVIDUAL COMMODITIES. ACTUAL NEGOTIATIONS MAY BEGIN ON THOSE COMMODITIES WHERE AGREEMENT TO DO SO IS REACHED BETWEEN PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS. THE SECOND ISSUE, ONE WE DO NOT REPEAT DO NOT WISH TO DISCUSS, CALLS FOR PREPARATORY MEETINGS - BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER - TO EXAMINE PROPOSAL FOR COMMON FUND TO FINANCE COMMODITY BUFFER STOCKS. AFTER THESE MEETINGS, UNCTAD SECRETARY GENERAL IS AUTHORIZED TO CONVENE A NEGOTIATING CONFERENCE, NO LATER THAN MARCH 1977.

TALKING POINTS.

-- US IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT UNCTAD CONSULTATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL COMMODITIES FULLY AND EFFECTIVELY EXAMINE ALL POTENTIAL RAMIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE MEASURES FOR REMEDIAL ACTION.

-- WE WELCOME FULL PARTICIPATION IN UNCTAD CONSULTATIONS OF ALL EXISTING FAO AND INDEPENDENT COMMODITY ORGANIZATIONS.

-- FYI. IF ASKED ABOUT OUR POSITION ON COMMON FUND, YOU MAY USE FOLLOWING: QUOTE OUR POSITION ON COMMON FUND REMAINS WHAT IT WAS AT NAIROBI, I.E., WE WILL ATTEND PREPARATORY MEETINGS WITHOUT COMMITTING OURSELVES TO ATTENDING NEGOTIATING CONFERENCE. UNQUOTE. END FYI.

(K) UN BUDGET. IN VOTING 1976-1977 BIENNIAL BUDGET LAST YEAR, IT WAS ASSUMED THAT PROVISION WAS BEING MADE FOR TWO YEARS AND THAT MEMBER STATES COULD MAKE PLANS FOR MEETING THEIR RESPECTIVE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS ACCORDINGLY. WE ANTICIPATE PROPOSALS FOR ADD-ONS IN THE AMOUNT OF 37 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE 745.8 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM BUDGET ALREADY ADOPTED BY GA. SUCH PROPOSALS CONTRADICT PURPOSE OF BIENNIAL BUDGET.

TALKING POINTS.

-- WE BELIEVE THAT ESSENTIAL COSTS AND PROGRAMS FOR WHICH APPROVED BUDGET MAKES NO PROVISION SHOULD BE FUNDED FROM SAVINGS AND ECONOMIES WITHIN THE 1976-1977 BUDGET LEVEL.

-- US URGES THAT ALL MEMBER STATES APPRECIATE FINANCIAL LOAD WHICH ADD-ONS WILL PLACE ON THEIR TREASURIES AND, CONSEQUENTLY, NOT SUPPORT SUCH INCREASES.

(L) UN RESTRUCTURING. 7TH SPECIAL SESSION OF GA ESTABLISHED AD HOC COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SECTORS OF UN SYSTEM. COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SLOW IN GETTING ON WITH ITS WORK, AND IS NOT LIKELY TO REPORT COMPLETE SET OF ACTION PROPOSALS TO THE 31ST GA. EXPECTED CONTINUATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEE’S MANDATE WOULD BE SATISFACTORY TO US.

TALKING POINT.

-- AS SECRETARY STATED AT 7TH SPECIAL SESSION, US CONTINUES TO SEEK RATIONALIZATION OF THE UN’S FRAGMENTED ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; STRENGTHENED LEADERSHIP WITHIN CENTRAL SECRETARIAT; STREAMLINING OF ECOSOC; BETTER CONSULTATIVE PROCEDURES TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT AMONG MEMBERS; AND MECHANISM FOR INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS.

(M) EXTERNAL EVALUATION MECHANISM. US ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT EVALUATING MECHANISM FOR REPORTING TO MEMBERS ON PERFORMANCE OF UN SYSTEM AGENCIES (E.G. UNDP AND SPECIALIZED AGENCIES) IN IMPLEMENTING OPERATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXECUTING AGREED POLICY OBJECTIVES. CONGRESS HAS INDICATED STRONG INTEREST IN ASSURING ADEQUATE AND INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF UN SYSTEM OPERATIONS. RENEWAL OF MANDATE OF JOINT INSPECTION UNIT (JIU), SCHEDULED FOR THIS SESSION OF THE GA, PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS IMPORTANT US OBJECTIVE.

TALKING POINTS.

-- ALL UN MEMBERS SHARE AN INTEREST IN PROMOTING EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY, AND ECONOMY OF UN SYSTEM OPERATIONS SINCE THIS WILL INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS OF UN DEVELOPMENT FUNDS IN HELPING THOSE WHO NEED THEM.

-- WE SEEK SUPPORT OF OTHERS IN INSURING THAT MANDATE OF JIU IS RENEWED, AND THAT EXTERNAL EVALUATION MECHANISM IS ASSIGNED TO THAT UNIT.

ROBINSON

NOTE BY OC/T: POUCHED BEIRUT AND BAGHDAD.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Kriebel and Speh; cleared in draft by Whiting, Blaney, Monsma, McNutt, Zimmerman, Perry, and in AF, EB/ORF/ISM, and PM/ISO; and approved by Toussaint. Repeated to USUN, the Mission to the EC in Brussels, the Mission to NATO, Beijing, and the Mission to the OECD in Paris. Kissinger’s April 27 Lusaka speech is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXVIII, Foundations and Organization of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976. Kissinger’s August 2 speech in Boston is published in Department of State Bulletin, August 23, 1976, pp. 257–265. Kissinger’s August 31 comments in Philadelphia are published ibid., September 20, 1976, pp. 358–372.
2. The Department requested that posts communicate U.S. positions on multiple issues likely to arise at the 31st United Nations General Assembly.