56. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to Multiple Recipients1
SUBJECT
- Human Rights Policy
I have asked Assistant Secretary Elliott Abrams to ensure that human rights and humanitarian affairs occupy a prominent place in the formulation and conduct of our foreign policy. Assistant Secretary Abrams and the HA Bureau will be working closely with all regional and functional bureaus. The promotion of political freedom should not be considered only as an afterthought. Rather, it should be integral to our work and we should give careful thought to means to advance this goal in our day-to-day diplomacy. Quiet diplomacy, public statements, and economic and security assistance policies should all be [Page 172] given close scrutiny for the impact they can have on expanding civil liberties and political rights.
I count on you and HA to work together in this effort, and want you to instruct your staffs to pay close attention to these issues in discussions you and our Embassies have with foreign government officials here and abroad. I particularly want you to include background and talking points on these considerations, whenever relevant, in the briefing papers you do for me and department principals for our meetings with foreign officials. We must be sure to convey to these officials the continuing interest of Congress, the American people, and the Administration in the expansion of personal and political freedom.
Our preferred method of action is traditional diplomacy, especially as to friendly countries where public accusations can harm relations and therefore make it more difficult to achieve our human rights goals. Private communication can be more precise, and less offensive to feelings of national sovereignty, and can often be more effective. Public chastisement is a weapon in our arsenal as well, and will be used when appropriate, but diplomacy should be our usual tool. You and your staff should continue, wherever appropriate, to undertake vigorous diplomatic initiatives on human rights matters. Human rights abuses violate our fundamental principles and inevitably harm relations with the U.S. Your efforts to reduce these abuses, especially in friendly or neutral countries, will thus help lay the basis for better relations and will serve our mutual interests.
Many questions have been asked about the policy of the Administration in this area. In order to provide some guidance, I am attaching a memo2 prepared for me and outlining our main concerns. I believe you will find it helpful.
- Source: Department of State, U/S for Political Affairs Michael Armacost Correspondence, 1969–1988, Lot 89D265, Human Rights 1982. Confidential. Sent to Stoessel, Rashish, Buckley, Kennedy, McFarlane, Crocker, Enders, Holdridge, Hormats, Eagleburger, Veliote, Platt, Malone, Fischer, Burt, Wolfowitz, Robinson, and Perez.↩
- Attached and printed in Document 54.↩