177. Memorandum From Leslie Denend of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

SUBJECT

  • Public Statement of US Human Rights Policy

As a result of the President’s meeting with Patt Derian,2 I have begun the review of PD–30 to develop a version for possible release to the public.

[Page 559]

The draft at Tab A is a minor rework of the PD which softens the language slightly and places it in the context of an ongoing policy.3 Jerry Schecter and Madeleine Albright’s comments were that the draft seemed fine but they advised against a release now because of the delicate situation in Iran.

I agree with the implicit thesis in Madeleine and Jerry’s comments that without a recognized event or reason for the release, the media will invent one which may work against our original intentions for a public statement.

Therefore, we will continue to look for an appropriate way to make the policy better understood by the public.

Tab A

Paper Prepared in the National Security Council4

DRAFT

PUBLIC STATEMENT ON US HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

As a major objective of US foreign policy, the US seeks to promote the observance of human rights throughout the world. This policy is applied globally, but with due consideration to the cultural, political and historical characteristics of each nation, and to other fundamental US interests with respect to the nation in question.

The US seeks to reduce worldwide governmental violations of the integrity of the person and to enhance civil and political liberties and continues to promote basic economic and social rights.

The full range of diplomatic instruments are used in promoting human rights including direct diplomatic contacts, public statements, symbolic acts, consultations with allies, cooperation with non-governmental organizations, and work with international organizations.

The US attempts to place the greatest reliance on positive inducements and incentives acknowledging improvements in human rights, whenever appropriate and possible, through preferential treatment in [Page 560] political relations and economic benefits. To this end, countries with a good or substantially improving record of human rights observance are given special consideration in the allocation of US foreign assistance just as countries with a poor or deteriorating record receive less favorable consideration. Programs for each fiscal year are reviewed in this light. In the evaluation of the human rights condition of a foreign nation, primary emphasis is placed on longer term trends and on the cumulative effect of specific events.

Except in exceptional circumstances actions are not undertaken which would result in material or financial support to the police, civil law enforcement authorities, or others performing internal security functions of governments engaged in serious violations of human rights.

US human rights actions within the International Financial Institutions are designed and implemented so as not to undermine the essential US interest of preserving these institutions as effective economic instruments. To this end, US actions seek to: utilize most effectively both our voice and our vote; understand and attempt to influence the Banks’ actions as early as possible in the loan process; and, engage the support of other nations and multilateral organizations.

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Subject Chron File, Box 94, Human Rights: 1978. Confidential. Sent for information. Inderfurth initialed the memorandum. Copies were sent to Albright and Schecter.
  2. See Document 175.
  3. An earlier version of the condensed and reworked PD, which Denend sent to Albright and Schecter under cover of a December 13 memorandum is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Global Issues—Mathews Subject File, Box 10, Human Rights: Policy: 10–12/78.
  4. No classification marking.