61. Editorial Note
On May 10, 1972, President Richard Nixon released a statement to the press regarding the future of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty: “I have … asked the Secretary of State to submit today a bill which would continue government support to the radios through fiscal year 1973. As with the fiscal year 1972 authorization, this bill would make the grants to the radios through the Secretary of State under such terms and conditions as he deems appropriate.
“A number of different views have been expressed in Congress as to how the radios might best be funded for the future…. To this end, I plan to appoint a Presidential Study Commission with instructions to render its report and recommendations by February 28, 1973, so that the administration and Congress can take them into consideration in formulating authorizing legislation for fiscal year 1974…. The Commission will render a great service by undertaking a critical examination of this subject and by providing the best possible basis for determining the methods by which support for these valuable organizations can be maintained without impairment to the professional independence upon which their present effectiveness depends.” (Department of State Bulletin, June 12, 1972, pages 816-17)
On August 10 Nixon announced the membership of the study commission, renamed the Commission on International Radio Broadcasting: [Page 165] Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower, President Emeritus, Johns Hopkins University (Chair); John A. Gronouski, former Ambassador to Poland; Edmond A. Gullion, former Ambassador to the Congo; John P. Roche, Professor of Politics, Brandeis University; and Edward Barrett, Director of the Communications Institute Division, Academy for Educational Development. For the text of the announcement, see ibid., September 11, 1972, page 293. Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger had recommended the four members to Nixon based on a longer list provided by State (see footnote 5, Document 60). Kissinger explained his recommendation to Nixon in a memorandum dated June 12: “All the proposed Commission members were also members of the ad hoc Citizens Committee for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which was set up by George Ball last winter when the radios were under the severest attack by Senator Fulbright. I am sure that they will do an outstanding job of considering the financing options.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 380, Subject Files, Radio Free Europe & Radio Liberty, Vol. II)
On May 7, 1973, the Commission released its report, which “concluded that the radios were still performing a worthwhile function and recommended the creation of a Board for International Broadcasting to take over the State Departmentʼs role of administering funds” for RFE and RL. On October 2 Congress approved S. 1914 (P.L.–93–129), which established such a seven-member board. The law also approved $50,209,000 in funding for the two radios for fiscal year 1974. (Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation, volume IV, 1973–1976, page 856) For the text of P.L.–93–129, see 87 Stat. 456.