Office of the Historian

73. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan1

Washington, August 27, 1984

SUBJECT

  • Ambassador Kampelman’s Mission to Europe for Consultations on Soviet Human Rights Performance

Issue

Whether to designate Ambassador Kampelman’s mission to Europe for consultations on Soviet human rights performance a Presidential mission.

Facts

In 1983 and 1984, Ambassador Stoessel led a three-man team which you designated as a Presidential mission to ten European countries to consult and inform them of the projected U.S. efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry and other human rights issues. As a continuation of this initiative, Ambassador Kampelman has agreed to go to Europe in early September to visit Rome, Brussels and London for follow-up discussions, and to meet with officials in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, who were not included in the two earlier missions.

In order to maximize the impact of Ambassador Kampelman’s trip, State recommends that the trip be designated a Presidential mission, as were the two previous missions, and that the Ambassador be authorized to carry individual letters from you to the heads of state of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. At Tabs A, B, and C, respectively, are proposed letters for your signature outlining your concern about the increased evidence of Soviet anti-Semitism and repression of human rights.2 The text has been cleared by Speechwriters.

Discussion

I concur with State’s recommendation. Ambassador Kampelman’s mission will further broaden the scope of our previous consultations in Europe, will keep the matter of Soviet human rights violations in the forefront of European thinking, and will provide us with a timely [Page 224] opportunity to enlist the help of the Norwegians, Swedes and Finns in devising a common human rights policy.

RECOMMENDATION

That you approve the designation of Amb. Kampelman’s trip to Europe as a Presidential Mission.3

That you sign the attached letters to be delivered by Amb. Kampelman.4

  1. Source: Reagan Library, European and Soviet Affairs Directorate, NSC: Records, USSR Human Rights/Stoessel Mission (1). Confidential. Sent for action. Drafted by Dobriansky. A copy was sent to Bush.↩
  2. None of the tabs is attached. In an August 30 memorandum to Hill, Kimmitt forwarded letters to the heads of government in Norway, Sweden, and Finland that had been signed by Reagan. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P850001–2407)↩
  3. Regan checked and initialed the “OK” option.↩
  4. There is no indication of approval or disapproval of this recommendation.↩