Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLI, Global Issues II

365. Letter From Attorney General Meese to Secretary of State Shultz¹

Washington, June 2, 1987

Dear George:

Thank you for your letter of 1 June 1987² concerning the international negotiations to protect the stratospheric ozone layer, currently under consideration within the Domestic Policy Council. I appreciate the progress that has been made by State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency in addressing this issue and negotiating toward an international agreement, and I understand your concerns about delay in the negotiations or dramatic change in the United States’ negotiating position.

I believe we can accommodate necessary progress in the negotiations and also pursue on an accelerated basis the process now underway within the Domestic Policy Council, which will present this issue to the President in an expeditious and fair manner. As a result of the first Domestic Policy Council meeting on this topic on 15 May,³ several Council members inquired about the scientific facts and theories concerning ozone depletion, the anticipated effects on health and the environment, and a study of predicted costs and benefits. A series of working group meetings have been addressing these questions,⁴ in preparation for a meeting of the Domestic Policy Council on 11 June, and presentation to the President immediately thereafter.

The process now in place will allow the President to make the necessary decisions in a timely manner to guide our negotiators in the development of the strongest possible protocol, with thorough airing of views from all interested officers in the President’s Cabinet. Lee Thomas is now a member of the Domestic Policy Council, and his views will continue to be fully considered, as of course will those of the Department of State.

I believe this approach will accommodate the needs of our negotiators as well as the President and the Cabinet.

Sincerely yours,

Edwin Meese III⁵

1. Source: Reagan Library, Sweet Files, Ozone Negotiations/Questions. No classification marking.
2. See Tab A, Document 364.
3. The reference is in error. The Domestic Policy Council first discussed stratospheric ozone on May 20. See Document 363.
4. In a May 29 memorandum to Risque, Sweet provided brief summaries of meetings regarding stratospheric ozone, including the working group meetings. (Reagan Library, Sweet Files, Ozone Negotiations/Questions)
5. Meese signed “Ed” above his typed signature.