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

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

133016.

Washington, May 21, 1981, 2024Z

SUBJECT

• Global Negotiations.

Refs:

• A) USUN 1481,²
• B) USUN 1492,³
• C) USUN 1479,⁴
• D) USUN 1676.⁵

1. Confidential—Entire text.

2. Dept greatly appreciates excellent USUN handling of difficult meetings Refs A and B. Firm and effective presentations by ECOSOC Perm Rep Sorzano and informal contacts with other dels skillfully conducted by Deputy Perm Rep Clark and his staff have resulted in extensive recognition by other countries that our proposal is serious and not a negotiating ploy. This reaction has been evident in Washington discussions with Netherlands EC President and with representatives of other countries.

3. Nonetheless, despite his decision not to visit Washington, Ref D, GA President von Wechmar may still attempt to put pressure on U.S. to move early on Global Negotiations by conducting some form of “consultations” following his return June 5, particularly if the results, when known, of the Caracas meeting on ECDC encourage him to do so.⁶ This will confront Mission with delicate task of avoiding an impression that we are hiding from Global Negotiations issue while at the same time making it clear that we will not be drawn into meetings’ real purpose to pillory or put pressure on U.S. Mission should, of course, maintain its usual informal contacts and discussions. It may discuss Global Negotiations issue bilaterally with von Wechmar and with other dels bilaterally or in groups. Mission should adhere to line taken in Sorzano May 5 speech Ref B. As Mission noted Ref D, we should emphasize that we seek formal deferral of Global Negotiations as early and with as little comment as possible. In contacts with EC countries and Canada, Embassy should point out that efforts reopen Global Negotiations issue in New York could complicate our discussions on issue with them in preparations for Ottawa and elsewhere. Mission should not participate in any UN meeting on Global Negotiations, or any group meeting whatever on the subject convened by von Wechmar or at his insistence, without instructions from the Department.

4. Department remains keenly interested in early indications of von Wechmar’s intentions and evolving attitudes of other delegations toward U.S. position on Global Negotiations.

Haig

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810242–0009. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Washburn; cleared by J Waller (Treasury), Lollis, Gorlin, Robert McMullen (EB/ODF), and Nau; approved by Creekmore. Sent for information to Algiers, Beijing, Bern, Brussels, Caracas, Canberra, Copenhagen, Dublin, the Mission in Geneva, Jidda, Kuwait, London, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Moscow, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, The Hague, Tokyo, Vienna, and Wellington.
2. See footnote 7, Document 14.
3. See footnote 7, Document 14.
4. In telegram 1479 from USUN, May 6, the Mission provided the text of the statement Sorzano delivered to the May 5 Meeting of the Whole on Global Negotiations. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810547–0774; D810515–0345; D810212–0528)
5. In telegram 1676 from USUN, May 20, the Mission reported that von Wechmar had decided to cancel his June 15–16 Washington visit after concluding that, since the United States had chosen to not make a firm decision on Global Negotiations, such a visit was “not useful.” The Mission reported that the mechanics of the postponement of Global Negotiations to the 36th General Assembly session had “yet to be discussed. We will work to develop a scenario minimizing defamatory statements by the G–77 by emphasizing the potentially positive fall-out of the summits and the greater possibility of GN progress later if the well is not poisoned now.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810239–0119)
6. In telegram 5348 from Caracas, May 21, the Embassy reported on the results of the G–77 high-level Conference on Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries (ECDC) in Caracas, which ended May 19. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810241–0163)