Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume II, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

321. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, December 4, 1978, 11:30 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Population Affairs

PARTICIPANTS

• Congressman James Scheuer
• Mike Teitelbaum, Staff Director for Select Committee on Population
• State Department
• T—Undersecretary Benson
• OES—Mr. Thomas Pickering
• H—Mr. Tom Weston

Due to a delay in his plane, Congressman Scheuer missed his meeting with the Secretary. Mrs. Benson explained, however, that the time had been used for discussion by the Secretary, herself and Tom Pickering about the need for a new approach on population matters.² The Secretary is looking for ways to emphasize this Administration’s commitment to population issues. Scheuer noted that on several occasions, when a high-level visit to a major LDC was contemplated, he had written letters to the Secretary asking that population be raised. As an indication of the lack of proper emphasis, he had not even received responses to those letters. More to the point in Scheuer’s mind was the fact that, following the meetings, he had inquired of the State Department whether or not it had been raised. In all instances he found that it had not been. He therefore welcomed the Secretary’s commitment to new initiatives on population matters, but, citing the letter of October 24 from Deputy Secretary Christopher,³ expressed skepticism about the commitment of the Department. The Secretary should exercise firm leadership in this field.

Mrs. Benson agreed that not enough attention had been paid to the population problem, but added that the Secretary was committed to exercising leadership in this field. If the Secretary is to provide leadership he must have individual issues called to his attention, in this case by herself and Tom Pickering.

Mr. Pickering noted that, in the meeting this morning with the Secretary, Mr. Vance had explored ways in which the prestige and entree of Mr. Benedick could be enhanced, for example, through an ambassadorial appointment. Mr. Vance also raised the possibility of bringing in distinguished outsiders to head missions in this area. Scheuer reacted with the comment that it was not a question of increasing Benedick’s prestige, rather that an essential appointment was given to a person who may be very capable, but, to Scheuer’s knowledge, had never had ambassadorial rank and had no reputation outside the State Department on population matters. Such an appointment was a clear signal to others that the United States government’s emphasis on population issues had been lowered.

Mrs. Benson pointed out the need for someone working full-time within the bureaucracy, if prominent outsiders were to be fully prepared to undertake a mission on population issues. Congressman Scheuer wondered whether a more prominent person with ambassadorial experience could be appointed to such a position. He gave as an example Ambassador Easum,⁴ now in Lagos, and emphasized that the key was direct access to the Secretary without going through several bureaucratic layers. Mr. Pickering agreed that prominent outsiders must be brought in, but added that it was very difficult to find such people willing to spend full time on these issues. This was the reason for an officer within the bureaucracy. He thought one prominent person for population missions would be Congressman Scheuer and asked for suggestions of other prominent figures. Scheuer responded that he would be available to undertake any mission at any time but that more was needed. Names of people could be obtained from the White House but he would make himself available for consultations whenever needed.

The Congressman hopes to meet in the near future with the Secretary, Mrs. Benson, Mr. Pickering and Marshall Green. He was informed that the Secretary would be calling him that afternoon (December 4) to discuss this issue further.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Under Secretaries of State for International Security Affairs—Files of Lucy W. Benson and Matthew Nimetz: Chronological Files, Human Rights Country Files, Security Assistance Country and Subject Files, 1977–1980, Lot 81D321, Box 2, Lucy Wilson Benson Chron, Dec 1978. Unclassified. Drafted by Weston; cleared by Pickering, Benson, and Reuther. The meeting took place in Benson’s office in the Department.
2. No record of this meeting has been found.
3. See Document 318.
4. Donald B. Easum, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, had previously served as Ambassador to Upper Volta and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.