REAGAN SPEECH ON CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002200220009-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 2, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

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International
Communication Director
Agency
w----..
kited C-----
of
Central Intelligence Agency
William J. Casey' 'j
Director
The Honorable
FROM: Charles Z. Wick
For your information, I am enclosing a copy of my
memorandum to the President on USICA's support of his
February 24 speech on the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
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International
Communication
al Agency
United States of America
Washington, D.C. 20547
March 8, 1982
1 MRPNDUM FOR: The President
The White House
FROM: Charles Z. Wi
Director
SUB3DCT: Caribbean Basin Initiative
Attached are a usage report on satellite transmission of your
February 24 speech on the Caribbean Basin, as well as a special
report on foreign media reactions to this historic initiative.
The highlights are:
1. USICA's satellite transmission reached an audience
estimated at 127.1 million viewers. Sixteen Caribbean
and Latin American countries taped the speech in its .
.entirety from the satellite. The European Broadcasting
Union (EBU) took the ICA feed for its clients. Excerpts
were carried in at least 15 countries.
2. Worldwide, this speech received prompt and sustained
print attention. Initial comment was favorable. Were
there was doubt, it had to do with the commentator's
perception of whether the initiative is large enough.
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SATEIL1TE TRANSMISSICN OF PRESIDENT REAGAN'S CBI SPEECH
Sixteen of the 26 countries where ICA has posts in the Caribbean
and Latin American area taped the speech in its entirety from the
satellite. Among the remaining ten posts, only Argentina,
Bolivia, Cuba, Guyana and Suriname did not receive the entire
speech or excerpts of it by ICA satellite feed.
.The ICA feed was transmitted in English, Spanish, French and
Portuguese.
An estimated 127.1 million people saw all or part of the
President's speech, (33.2 million in Latin America and 93.9
million in Europe).
The following countries broadcast the speech in its entirety
directly from the feed: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Mexico.
Countries which broadcast excerpts of the speech in Latin
America: Bahamas, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and
Venezuela.
Two Panamanian stations shared a video feed with the U.S. Armed
Forces TV station in Panama, which carried the speech live, and
used the VOA's Spanish audio with it. Canadian stations received
the President's speech t1'-rough U.S. commercial network sources,
while stations in Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay received
excerpts during regular commercial satellite feeds.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) took the ICA feed for its
clients. Excerpts were carried by Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Great Britain, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
and Switzerland.
Some reactions: El Salvador's Foreign Minister called the speech
"brilliant" and had the national radio and TV stations
rebroadcast it in prime time February 24. Prime Minister Seaga
of Jamaica, who reportedly received the speech through his
private satellite dish, called the speech a "bold, historic and
far reaching concept... (a) serious attempts by Washington to
address the real economic problems of the region."
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SPECIAL Foreign Media
REPORT Reaction
March 2, 1982
REAGAN SPEECH CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE
Summary
Media around the world gave prompt and sustained attention to Presi-
dent Reagan's February 24th speech before the Organization of Amer-
ican States in which he outlined a long-awaited plan for U.S. assis-
tance to Caribbean and Central American development.
Initial comment, particularly in the area most directly affected,
tentatively greeted the U.S. initiative as well-intended, imagina-
tive and responsive to the needs of an area suffering from deep-seated
development problems.
However, doubts expressed from the outset in some representative media
outlets centered on whether the amount of contemplated aid was suf-
ficient to attack long-standing economic inequities and whether its
benefits were sure to reach the people as well as established commercial
interests. In this regard, President Kennedy's Alliance for Progress,
was evoked as an example of good intentions inadequately based in
the realities of a troubled region.
The attachment of military assistance to the plan was seen by most ob-
servers as inevitable in view of current U.S. concern about the threat
of Communization of the area. The specter of a new Vietnam arose in
much discussion based on the preponderance of proposed aid to El Sal-
vador.
Speculation about the real prospects for implementation of the Presi-
dent's plan was often viewed against the backdrop of U.S. political
and social considerations, particularly the question of whether Con-
gress would support a foreign initiative in a time of absorbing domes-
tic economic ills.
Specific concerns were voiced by media in countries which feared that
favored treatment of Caribbean and Central American exports would bring
direct economic disadvantage to themselves.
Following are illustrations of these themes.
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1.
The assistance plan is well-intended and
appears to be
responsive
to
the area's
problems and
imaginative
in
scope.
El Salvador: "What Many Have Long Awaited"
In San Salvador conservative La Prensa Grafica on February 26 said
the speech was "what many countries have long awaited...Reagan's
speech at the OAS not only surpasses all economic schemes of a power-
ful nation for the countries of the area, but it is also a serious
and vigorous warning about the dangers of subversion now besieging
Latin America..."
Costa Rica: "Mr. Reagan Hit the Mark"
In San Jose, La Prensa Libre on February 25 called the President's
proposal "well aimed" and declared, "Mr. Reagan hit the mark in de-
fining the true dimensions of what confronts the Caribbean zone: an
economic crisis provoked by external and internal causes, ably taken
advantage of by Russia and Cuba, with the objective of undermining
our democracies..."
Dominican Republic: "Undoubtedly Shows Sincere Concern"
Independent moderate El Caribe on February 26 wrote that the President's
speech "undoubtedly... shows his sincere concern for reducing the grave
economic crisis oppressing the countries of the region."
Costa Rica: "Responds to Challenges of the Times"
La Nacion of San Jose on February .27 stated that the President's mes-
sage "is unprecedented in terms of the proposals announced and the con-
ception of aid offered....It can be said that the plan hits the mark
by responding to the challenges of the times and to the threat in all
the countries involved of violence and especially of the presence of
Marxist-Leninist guerrillas driven by the strategy of Cuban-Soviet neo-
colonialism and penetration."
Guatemala: "A Well-Defined Line of Political Action"
In Guatemala City, conservative nationalistic La Hora on February 26
applauded the President's speech and held that "Reagan's message not
not only applies to the new commercial and economic consideration for
the countries in the Caribbean, but it also espouses a well-defined
line of political action that will reach much further than can be
seen at this moment..."
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Argentina: "Aid Plus Practical Philosophy"
Independent moderate La Nacion of Buenos Aires on February 25 wrote:
"Economic aid appears auspiciously supplemented by practical philos-
ophy concerning the removal of conditions of stagnation and reces-
sion prevailing in Central America..."
Honduras: "A Clarion Call of Hope"
In Tegucigalpa, conservative El Heraldo on February 27 called the
President's address "a clarion call of hope for the Western Hemi-
sphere." It described the speech as "lucid and brilliant..."
"A Plan of Extraordinary Magnitude"
Liberal El Tiempo, also of Tegucigalpa, on February 27 held that "the
policies of President Reagan and his plan for Central America deserve
a thorough analysis. It is certain that the governments and people
will do this because the magnitude of the planned cooperation is--as
always with the United States--extraordinary and of a fundamental,
historic scope..."
Peru: "The Most Encouraging and Far-Reaching Program Yet"
Pro-Government El Comercio of Lima wrote on February 26 that "it is
clear that this is the most encouraging and far-reaching program the
United States has outlined for Latin America. It expresses not only
President Reagan's decision to fight Communism without falling into
the simplistic (approach) of direct military intervention, but also a
new understanding of the economic roots of the problems of guerrilla
uprisings and political instability faced by Hemispheric nations..."
Britain: "Contains Some Imaginative Projects"
The Financial Times on February 26 said, "The package (the President)
proposed as a palliative to the region's woes contains some imagina-
tive projects, notably the freeing from U.S. tariffs of all imports
from the area (with the exception of textiles and clothing), techni-
ical assistance for the region's businessmen and $350 million worth
of new economic aid which will be concentrated in the private sector."
"Realistic Attempt to Relieve Economic Distress"
The conservative Sunday Telegraph on March 1 ran Washington correspond-
ent Frank Taylor's observation that "the majority of Washington's Latin
American neighbors can be expected to welcome it (the Caribbean aid
program) as a realistic attempt to relieve the economic distress of the
40 million people who live in the (Caribbean) basin, thereby helping to
remove the kind of soil in which the seeds of left-wing revolutions
take root."
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2. The aid plan may not reach the common people and
may be inadequate to the desperate needs of an
impoverished area, as was the Alliance for Progress.
West Berlin: "Benef its Only to an Elite?"
Independent Tagesspiegel on February 27 declared that "the Pres-
ident himself has said that the improvement of local condi-
ions must begin with the economy. But it remains to be seen
whether the offer of economic remedies will help this underdeveloped
area to recover or again will ultimately benefit only a small elite
which forcibly resists any social progress. Other American aid
programs have also stumbled at this barrier..."
Dominican Republic: "A Way to Exploit Cheap Labor"
Leftist Nuevo Diario of Santo Domingo on February 26 argued that "the
increase in incentives for U.S. investments in the region will not
be any magic wand for these countries' economic crisis, but rather a
way of exploiting cheap manual labor, with starvation wages, like
those already established in this country's free zone."
Guyana: "Introduction of American Business on American Terms"
In Georgetown, Government-owned Guyana Chronicle on February 27 said,
"A careful reading of the speech makes it clear that its real content
is not so much with pumping money into Caribbean development as with
providing that the introduction of American business on American terms
is the way to a peaceful, happy and prosperous future in these parts."
Paraguay: "Must Make Sure His Dollars Reach the Right Goal"
Asuncion's leading ABC Color on February 28 ran a columnist's assertion
that the President's economic measures for the region "could be import-
ant if they reach the most needy sectors. He ought to make sure his dol-
lars reach the right goal...If these funds are not correctly channeled,
they will generate new injustices and more resentment."
Saudi Arabia: "Expect Limited Effect"
Mecca's conservative al-Nadwa on February 27 said, "As usual, Washing-
ton has acted late on a matter which required early action....We are
not saying that his initiative is futile, but we expect it to have a
limited effect."
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Mexico: "Funds Are Likely To Be Diverted"
Nationalistic Excelsior of Mexico City on February 25 said, "Funds
are likely to be diverted, and only an exaggerated optimism could
conclude that the United States presumes to solve by itself all the
economic, social and political problems of the region."
Brazil: "Arrives Too Late, Insufficient to Reach Objectives"
Conservative 0 Estado de Sao Paulo on March 2 observed that "the
creation of an accord of free trade for Caribbean products exported
to the United States tends to be more efficient than the multiple
benefits extended in the past. We fear, however, that it arrives too
late and that it will be insufficient to reach the objectives of an
economic and political cure at which it is aimed..."
Malaysia: "No Objection If Aid Reaches the People"
The New Straits Times of Kuala Lumpur on February 27 wrote that
"there can be no objections to the offer of economic aid... if the
funds and supplies do reach the people they are intended for, rather
than being siphoned off to enrich a few fat cats, which will only
generate more dissatisfaction."
Cuba: U.S. Aid Not Much for "Debt-Ridden and Impoverished Nations"
Granma on February 24 criticized the $350 million amount of aid pro-
posed by President Reagan with the statement that "in order for our
readers to get an idea of what the debt-ridden and impoverished na-
ions of the region can accomplish with such an amount, let's keep in
mind that our own Carlos Marx cement plant in Cienfuegos cost $167
million."
Yugoslavia: "U.S. Allies Fear Plan Does Not Meet Needs of Area"
A byliner in Politika of Belgrade on February 28 wrote, "Western
Europe--and not only Western Europe--fears that the most recent
economic program for that region...does not meet the real needs of
the Caribbean and Central America. In reaching that conclusion we
are, after all, led by the selection of the resources that the White
House has proposed for the lion's share of the relatively modest
sum...intended for friendly pro-American--regimes and their private
companies."
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Brazil: "Arrives Too Late, Insufficient to Reach Objectives"
Conservative 0 Estado de Sao Paulo on March 2 observed that "the
creation of an accord of free trade for Caribbean products exported
to the United States tends to be more efficient than the multiple
benefits extended in the past. We fear, however, that it arrives too
late and that it will be insufficient to reach the objectives of an
economic and political cure at which it is aimed..."
Malaysia: "No Objection If Aid Reaches the People"
The New Straits Times of Kuala Lumpur on February 27 wrote that
"there can be no objections to the offer of economic aid... if the
funds and supplies do reach the people they are intended for, rather
than being siphoned off to enrich a few fat. cats, which will only
generate more dissatisfaction."
Cuba: U.S. Aid Not Much for "Debt-Ridden and Impoverished Nations"
Granma on February 24 criticized the $350 million amount of aid pro-
posed by President Reagan with the statement that "in order for our
readers to get an idea of what the debt-ridden and impoverished na-
ions of the region can accomplish with such an amount, let's keep in
mind that our own Carlos Marx cement plant in Cienfuegos cost $167
million."
Yugoslavia: "U.S. Allies Fear Plan Does Not Meet Needs of Area"
A byliner in Politika of Belgrade on February 28 wrote, "Western
Europe--and not only Western Europe--fears that the most recent
economic program for that region...does not meet the real needs of
the Caribbean and Central America. In reaching that conclusion we
are, after all, led by the selection of the resources that the White
House has proposed for the lion's share of the relatively modest
sum...intended for friendly pro-American--regimes and their private
companies."
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3. The attachment of military assistance to the plan
seems inevitable, given the current U.S. concern
about the threat of Communization of the area, but
it increases the likelihood of direct U.S. military
intervention and evokes memories of Vietnam.
West Germany; "Good Guys and Bad Guys"
West German TV One on February 28 carried an anchorman's questioning
of a parallel between Vietnam and El Salvador. He observed that "Sai-
gon became the incarnation of evil and the Viet Cong became a myth of
the good. In El Salvador the situation seems to be similar. The Gov-
ernment is made up of bad guys and the guerrillas are the good guys.
In Vietnam the truth was somewhere in between. In El Salvador, the
truth could also be somewhere in the middle..."
Nicaragua: "Reveals Military Tendency of Imperialism"
Managua's pro-Sandinista Barricada remarked that "the speech...reveals
and confirms two fundamental elements--the inexorable aggressive polit-
ical and military tendency of imperialism, and the implicit confession
that the capitalist path is not now capable of guaranteeing even the
underdevelopment in which that system has sunk the people..."
Britain: "Cover for Increased Military Aid"
The conservative Daily Telegraph on February 26 said, "Already his
American liberal critics are wailing that the program is little more
than a cover for increased military aid for El Salvador. But the Ad-
ministration has been saying for weeks that there will have to be new
requests for hardware soon if the under-equipped Government forces
are to win."
Brazil: "Reagan Is Thinking About Limited Intervention in El Salvador"
Independent Jornal de Brasilia on February 27 held, "The most worri-
some part of President Reagan's speech at the OAS is, in our opinion,
the reference to the Inter-American Treaty for Reciprocal Assistance
....Reagan is looking at the ITRA...as an alternative to be used in
case the initiatives already under way prove not to be enough....
Reagan is thinking about a limited intervention (in El Salvador) in
which some countries neighboring El Salvador might participate..."
Canada: "Reagan Administration Captive of Faulty Diagnosis"
Montreal's prestigious French-language Le Devoir held that "The State
Department's analysis underlying the U.S. President's speech..is based
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on certain axioms so simplistic they would be laughable if they did
not announce the entry of the American Government into a war of which
the 'decisive battle is going on now in El Salvador,' according to...
(Assistant Secretary) Enders."
Italy: Communist Paper Sees "Commitment to Avoid Another Cuba"
Communist l'Unita of Rome on February 27 ran a correspondent's report
that the Pre isre nene t s speech "represents the commitment to extend po-
litical and military protection to the whole continent from one end
to the other to avoid the birth of another Cuba."
Soviet Union: "Blackmail, Pressure and the Big Stick"
Pravda of Moscow on March 1 ran a byliner's comment that "the Carib-
bean initiative of the United States is the same old line of polit-
ical blackmail, economic pressure and militaristic waving of the 'big
stick.' Its ultimate goal is to bring together under the aegis of
Washington the politico-military bloc of Caribbean and Central Ameri-
can states."
Britain: "Direct Involvement of American Forces?"
The independent Times of London on March 2 ran the view of Washington
correspondent Nicholas Ashford that "the dilemma facing the President
and his advisers is simple but stark. On the one hand, they want to
prevent the insurgents from taking power on the grounds that the es-
tablishment of a left-wing regime in El Salvador, in addition to
Nicaragua--supported by Cuba--would pose a threat to other countries
in the area, notably Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
"On the other hand, the Administration wants to avoid being drawn
into a situation in which it can only prevent this happening by the
direct involvement of American forces..."
"Confirms Fears of U S. Military Involvement?"
Correspondents for the London Financial Times on March 1 wrote, "The
Reagan Administration's attempts to raise the alarm about Marxist-
Leninist insurgency in Central America are backfiring."
"The Catch-22 for President Reagan and his supporters on the issue is
that every appeal for more assistance for the beleaguered Salvadoran
leader only emphasizes the weakness of his position and seems to
confirm fears either that direct U.S. military involvement will
eventually be required or that the war there will simply become a
bottomless pit for American money, armaments and prestige..."
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4. Any plan of this magnitude may be defeated by
U.S. political considerations in a time of
domestic troubles.
Italy: "Reagan Gets Personally Involved"
In Rome, leftist La Repubblica on February 27 ran a report by New York
correspondent Rodolfo Brancoli that "with the OAS speech, Reagan has
chosen to get personally involved and to involve his own prestige to
dramatize the problem in the hope of defeating Congressional opposit-
ion and the fears of the U.S. public..."
Singapore: "Reagan Will Need Persuasive Powers to Get Approval"
The Straits Times of Singapore on February 26 wrote, "Judging from
initial reactions, President Reagan is going to need his much-vaunted
persuasive powers to obtain approval for his Caribbean aid and trade
package."
Venezuela: "Let Us Hope Reagan Gets Full Backing"
The English-language Daily Journal of Caracas on February 26 said, "The
question now is to get things started. Let us hope the U.S. Congress
doesn't start dawdling over this. Let us hope that people in the
United States can perceive the necesity of such a plan. Let us hope
Reagan gets the full backing of his countrymen on this plan. If he
does, we are on our way toward reversing an historical injustice to
an area."
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5. On the face of it, the plan may bring direct
economic disadvantages to some countries out-
side the area.
Colombia: "Surprise at Being Excluded"
Bogota's independent El Tiempo on February 26 contended that "in Co-
lombia the Reagan plan was poorly received among exporters, who fore-
saw new and greater difficulties for the sale in the United States
of products such as textiles, flowers and leather goods.-The assoc-
iation of financial institutions lamented that Colombia has been
excluded.... Sources in the Foreign Ministry also expressed surprise."
Colombia's Contrapunto television network stated that sugar growers
would be especially hard-hit, given "new found" advantages for the
Dominican Republic.
Brazil: "Brazil Will Lose Exports"
Rio de Janeiro's independent Jornal do Brasil on February 25 ran
Washington correspondent Armando Ourique's report that Brazil would
lose an export market for sugar in the United States because the
United States intends to "favor" Caribbean basin countries' sugar
industry.
"Will Make Brazil Pay Part of U.S. Plan"
Rio de Janeiro's independent Jornal do Brasil on February 27 remarked
that "the 12-year suspension of pending tariff charges on products
from the Caribbean area will make other developing countries such as
Brazil pay--although indirectly--a significant part of the cost of
the American plan."
Australia: "Small Comfort for Sugar Producers"
Perth's Daily News on February 25 said, "Australian sugar producers
may find small comfort in the speech in which Mr. Reagan said the
United States would expand quotas on Caribbean sugar."
South Korea: A Blow to ROK Textiles?
Independent Donga Ilbo on February 26 ran a story by correspondent
Mun Myong-ho on the probable results of Mr. Reagan's policy toward
imports of textile goods from Central American and Caribbean nations,
which, he said, would eventually deal a blow to the export of ROK-
made textile goods to the United States.
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