Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXXVIII, International Economic Development; International Debt; Foreign Assistance

13. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations¹

110775.

Washington, April 30, 1981, 0034Z

SUBJECT

• Global Negotiations, Guidance for Meetings at UN.

Ref:

• A) State 105116;²
• B) Vienna 5059 (Notal);³
• C) USUN 1319;⁴
• D) USUN 1322;⁵
• E) USUN 0135 (Notal);⁶
• F) USUN 1355.⁷

1. (C) Entire Text.

2. Department appreciates detailed reporting by Embassy Vienna and USUN (Refs B thru F). We conclude (A) that UNGA President von Wechmar has no intention of visiting Washington in the foreseeable future despite agreement in March that he would do so, (B) that he wants to involve us in a series of meetings designed to resume preparatory negotiations, and (C) that he is deliberately confusing the question of participation in preparations for Global Negotiations (GNs) with participation in GNs themselves. USUN should point out to von Wechmar and others that we will not participate in preparations beyond general discussions. To do otherwise could be misleading and might raise hopes that would prove to be unfounded.

3. USDel should participate in the two meetings on April 30 with the objective of securing postponement of the “Meeting of the Whole” May 5–6, and other subsequent meetings on GNs. If this objective is not achieved, USDel should seek further instructions from Washington. In these meetings, other dels should clearly understand that the U.S. cannot and will not negotiate.

4. At the meeting with von Wechmar and Perez-Guerrero at 8:30 a.m. on April 30,⁸ Sorzano should basically listen to the exposition of the G–77 viewpoint, as suggested in Reftel (E). However, he should also take the opportunity to point out that there is skepticism about GNs within the USG and that if the U.S. is pushed for a yes or no answer at this time, the answer might well be negative and could potentially prejudice the atmosphere of discussions later this year. The USG has indicated by its agreement to consider participation in the Cancun Summit that it is taking a deliberate and serious approach to the question of relations with developing countries. The new administration has been in office only three months and an effort to rush the process or to embarrass the U.S. at this time could prove to be counterproductive.

5. At the multilateral meeting later that morning, USDel should be guided by the talking points in para 6 below. The points in paras 2 and 4 above should be made again.

6. Talking points for multilateral meeting on April 30:

A) Points from paras 2 and 4 above.

B) The new administration is engaged in a broad and systematic review of economic relations with developing countries. GNs are being considered as part of this overall review. One of the conclusions already reached is that we cannot make an early decision on GNs.

C) Our willingness to consider participation in the Summit is an indication of our seriousness and intention to participate in discussions with developing countries.

D) (If asked: We feel that there should be no formal discussions of GNs at the Cancun Summit. Moreover, we cannot expect that the Cancun Summit will settle the question of GNs. That is the business of the General Assembly and the Summit sponsors have already agreed that no effort will be made to reach formal conclusions on this or any other subject. However, the heads of state attending the Summit will benefit from each other’s experience and perspective. Thus they will be in a better position to decide later about GNs).

E) The U.S. believes that:

1) The issue of GNs should be postponed at least until the next regular session of the UNGA, in November or December.

2) No purpose would be served by the resumption of preparatory negotiations in the meantime.

3) We are urging President von Wechmar to seek the agreement of other members to defer preparatory negotiations, and we ask the countries represented here to support us in the request.

7. Footnote to Ref (F): As USUN knows, von Wechmar also telephoned Assistant Secretary Hormats (EB) on April 25. Each of them made many of same points which were made during the von Wechmar/Sorzano conversations. Von Wechmar urged the U.S. to avoid accusation that U.S. not interested in the developing countries by at least participating in the Meeting of the Whole and contributing to the drafting of language on procedures and agenda. He drew a distinction between this exercise and actually launching GNs—something he suggested could be put off. Hormats said that officials of the new administration are somewhat skeptical of GNs and that, if the issue were put to them now, the results might be negative. Von Wechmar said that the Austrian Foreign Minister had asked him either to get GNs launched before the Cancun Summit or to declare total failure.

Haig

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810203–0485. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Edward Lollis (EB/SEN) and Samuel Keller (IO/E); cleared by Edward Marcott (UR/RPE), John Washburn (IO/E), Basora, Rush (E), L. Mitchell (Treasury), Nau, and for information by Eugene Douglas (S/P); approved by Marion Creekmore (IO). Sent for information to Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Canberra, Caracas, Copenhagen, Dublin, the Mission in Geneva, Kuwait, Luxembourg, London, Mexico City, Oslo, Paris, Ottawa, Rome, Stockholm, The Hague, Vienna, Wellington, Algiers, and Tokyo.
2. In telegram 105116 to multiple diplomatic posts, April 24, the Department communicated its position on Global Negotiations, concluding that “there is no necessity for early decision on GN’s and that resumed negotiations of procedures and agenda, as proposed by UNGA President von Wechmar for May–June, would serve no useful purpose.” The administration, the Department continued, “wants flexibility to determine what may be the best sort of forum for a North/South dialogue and wishes to explore options other than GN’s.” The United States was not prepared to make a “substantive decision on GN’s before this fall and suggests they might be considered at the 36th regular session of UNGA in November–December.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810193–0568)
3. In telegram 5059 from Vienna, April 24, the Embassy reported on the Economic Counselor’s meeting with von Wechmar, during which von Wechmar communicated he would not be going to Washington in early May to learn the U.S. position on Global Negotiations because he assumed the policy review would not be completed by that time. The Embassy also reported on an April 24 conversation with the Austrian Minister of State who suggested that von Wechmar’s desire to push ahead with Global Negotiations stemmed from Eastern European nations indicating they were moving toward participating in GN’s. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810194–0332)
4. In telegram 1319 from USUN, April 24, the Mission reported that an appointment was scheduled for Sorzano to meet with von Wechmar on Monday, April 27. The Mission also reported that the EC Deputy Director for External Affairs had called on Sorzano on April 21 to discuss the outlook for Global Negotiations. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810195–0026)
5. In telegram 1322 from USUN, April 25, the Mission updated the Department on the scheduled meeting between Sorzano and von Wechmar. The Mission reported that it had informed other OECD nations of the U.S. position on Global Negotiations as communicated in telegram 105116 and reported the reactions of these nations. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810195–0491)
6. Not found.
7. In telegram 1355 from USUN, April 27, the Mission reported that Sorzano had communicated the U.S. position on Global Negotiations as reported in telegram 105116 to von Wechmar, both on the phone and in person. Von Wechmar “sought to reassure Sorzano that meetings scheduled were ‘non-substantive’ and should not be cause for concern.” At the April 27 meeting, von Wechmar communicated that a U.S. refusal to participate now in GN’s would cause “tremendous dismay and frustration on all sides” and isolate the U.S. “just like the USSR.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810198–0518)
8. In telegram 1427 from USUN, May 1, the Mission reported on the April 30 meeting between Sorzano and von Wechmar and the multilateral meeting held later that morning. Von Wechmar communicated that he still intended to hold a Meeting of the Whole on May 5 and the Mission urged that the U.S. attend and give a prepared statement on its position on Global Negotiations. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810205–0460) For the text of the U.S. statement, see Document 14.