299. Memorandum From the Chief of the Economic and Social Affairs Section of the Mission to the United Nations (Finger) to the Representative to the United Nations (Stevenson)1
SUBJECT
- 18th GA—Human Rights
Mr. McKitterick (OES) has told me that Harlan Cleveland is eager to have a “klieg light” approach by the United States to human rights at the 18th GA.
In giving some very preliminary thought to this question, the following occur to me:
- 1.
- Open Societies. You are familiar with this proposal elaborated a few years ago but never presented as a package. I think it might be time to take another look at this idea in the light of new developments.
- 2.
- Emphasis on the right of independent organizations. This is clearly a fundamental difference between a totalitarian and a free society. The very existence of organizations like CORE and the NAACP, not to mention the Communist Party of the USA and the John Birch Society, testify to the deep-rooted nature of this right in the United States. Its denial to African students in Bulgaria precipitated the serious incidents which developed there. This is a concept which should appeal to the Africans and Asians; it is not an issue bearing a cold war label. Indeed, the right of independent organizations, whether of trade unions or of political groups, has often been a key element in the attainment of independence around the world.
- 3.
- Declaration on Freedom of Information. The United States launched this proposal at ECOSOC four years ago. A declaration has been approved by ECOSOC, but the Third Committee of the General Assembly has not yet acted upon it. According to a decision of the Third Committee last fall, freedom of information is to get priority treatment at the forthcoming session.
It seems to me that emphasis on the foregoing aspects of human rights would put the spotlight on areas in which the United States is relatively strong and the Soviets relatively weak. Obviously we would make no attempt to evade the question of racial equality—on the contrary, I assume we would continue to meet it by full and frank exposition—but [Page 659] I think there is a certain tactical advantage in emphasizing general principles in areas where we are strong.
Thank you very much for your letter of July 10.2 I am glad that my draft made a modest contribution to your speech at ECOSOC which, by all accounts, was most successful.