Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973–1976

229. Letter From the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements (Fraser) to Secretary of State Rogers¹ ²

Washington, July 19, 1973

Dear Mr. Secretary:

In connection with a forthcoming series of hearings by my Subcommittee on international protection of human rights, I am interested in knowing the position of the Department on the draft program for the UN’s Decade Against Racial Discrimination.

Specifically, I would appreciate answers to the following questions based on the contents of the draft program prepared by the Commission on Human Rights at its spring session:

1) Does the Department approve of the draft program in its entirety; if not, what provisions does it find not acceptable?

2) Is U.S. policy toward South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and Portugal consistent with the draft’s provision against giving any support to governments or regimes which practice racial discrimination?

3) What arrangements will be made to implement provisions requesting states to review the adequacy of their legislation and governmental machinery against racial discrimination?

4) How much has the United States contributed through the years to the United Nations educational and training program for Southern Africa and what plans are there for increased contributions?

5) What plans does the Department have to publicize the program of the Decade and what special educational programs on the subject of human rights are being contemplated for the general public and for youth?

6) Does the Department intend to make recommendations to the Organization of American States that regional organizations conduct conferences and seminars on the subject of racial discrimination?

7) What plan does the Department have for seeking Senate ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination? What reservations, if any, might be proposed?

8) Does the Department favor the establishment of an international voluntary fund to help the peoples struggling against racial discrimination and apartheid?

9) How does the Department view the proposal by some experts in the human rights field that a coordinator for the Decade be appointed with executive responsibility, including the authority to review the practices of individual countries and advise them privately on how to eliminate racial discrimination?

10) At the UN General Assembly this fall will the United States again sponsor or support the proposal for creating a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights?

I would be most grateful for your kind attention to these questions. The item on racial discrimination is probably the most important human rights issue before this year’s General Assembly. I believe it is most important that our delegation take a forward-looking position on this agenda item.

Sincerely yours,

Donald M. Fraser
Chairman
Subcommittee on International
Organizations and Movements

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 3041, SOC 14 UN, 1–1–73. No classification marking.
2. Fraser inquired about the Department of State’s position on the program of action accompanying the UN Decade Against Racial Discrimination.