HF-WARC 1984 -- PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001703270017-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 33
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2008
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: June 24, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Ambassador Diana Lady Dougan
Coordinator, International Communication and Information
Policy, Department of State
FROM: Lincoln Gordon
National Intelligence Officer at Large
SUBJECT: HF-WARC 1984 -- A Preliminary Assessment
1. In response to your request of 24 May, we have prepared the attached
preliminary assessment in preparation for the January 1984 International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Administrative Radio Conference for High
Frequency Broadcasting (HF-WARC).* The paper contains an initial review and
preliminary analysis of the major conference issues, the positions and
attitudes toward US goals which might be expected from seven countries in
North Africa and Western Europe (where bilateral discussions are already
planned), and a brief overview of the ITU -- its organization, purpose, and
powers. The main points are summarized in the following paragraphs.
2. US capabilities for international short-wave broadcasting could be
affected dramatically should the HF-WARC decide to adopt a rigid system for
planning the use of the high frequency broadcasting spectrum. The industrial
nations and the USSR have a common interest in maintaining the flexible system
now in use because it allows them more easily to increase the number of
frequencies they can use. The LDCs want more frequencies and better
protection against interference. Many contend that only a rigid planning of
the high-frequency bands will serve LDC interests. We believe East-West
tensions over the issue of jamming may inhibit a potential USSR-industrial
^ine paper was prepared b f the CIA's
Office of Global Issues, in cooperation wi Chief of the
Third World Branch, and Dr_ Gordon_ Comments or questions should be addressed
Downgraded to
CONFIDENTIAL
when Separated
from Attachment
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country alliance in favor of maintaining the current planning system.
Moreover, we doubt that the Soviets will confront the LDCs. They probably
~IIntPOt~an-on-
will avoid -tanning and might well not sign the results of the
conference.
3. Conference issues of importance to the United States include:
o Maintaining a flexible system of planning at least for a large
share of the HF-radio spectrum.
o The impact of jamming on the radio spectrum.
o Maintaining acceptable arrangements for US transmitters in foreign
host countries.
o LDC demands for increased technical assistance.
o Selection of Conference and Committee Chairmen.
o Extraneous political issues.
4. We expect Algeria to play a key leadership role for the LDCs,
although its influence on HF matters may be reduced or shared in part because
a former key dynamic Algerian delegate is now in an official ITU post, and in
part because of competition from T. V. Srirangan, the likely head of India's
delegation. Algerians will favor a rigid planning process and technical
changes to ease LDC broadcasting problems. Because of its own status as host
for PLO broadcasting, Algeria will probably not condemn the hosting of foreign
broadcasts. In view of Algeria's general shift away from antagonism to the
West, we beli Algeria will renew efforts at this WARC to
expel Israel.
5. Morocco, a Voice of America host country, will be generally
supportive of US positions and interests.
6. We expect Tunisia to go along with other moderate Arab states at the
conference. It is unlikely to play any sort of influential or leadership
rnio F- I
?., ru.. ?.i~vu? '? ullu 411C
United King om wi wor together with the United States to coordinate
positions. These European countries will also be seeking increased HF-band
use and resist a r? id system for HF-frequency assignments. London
sees the jamming issue as more c nnected to political
communications issues than to the WARC
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8. Work on the identification and analysis of other key countries which
may be especially influential in the HF-WARC deliberations is continuing. A
full report is planned for completion well before the Conference opening next
C,
Attachment:
As Stated
HF-WARC (Secret
GIb1/83-10165
July 1983
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Distribution:
Original and 1 - addressee
5 - NIC
1 - NIO at Large (Lincoln Gordon)
1 - SA/DDCI
1 - ExDir
1 - ExReg
1 - ADDI
1 - DDI
1 - Ch/PES/DDI
1 - D/NESA
1 - NESA
1 - D/EUKA
1 -AURA
1- D/SOVA
1 - C/DO/IAD
1 - D/FBIS
2 - Ch~_
9 - OGI/PS
1 - Chief, Field Coverage Staff, FBIS
1 - DD/OGI, D/OGI
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NTIA 1 David Markey
Director, National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
Room 4898
Main Commerce
14th and Constitution, NW
Washington, D.C.
1 Richard Parlow
Associate Administrator, OSM
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
Room 4099A
14th & Constitution, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
FCC 1 Kalmann Schaefer
Assistant to the Chairman for International
Communications
Federal Communications Commission
Room 846
1919 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20554
1 Neal McNaughten
Office of Science and Technology
Federal Communications Commission
Room 7110
2025 M St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
State 1 Mr. Hugh Montgomery
Director, INR
Room 6531
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. Daniel Fendrick
INR/LAR
Room 6842
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. Richard Shrum
Office of International Communications Policy
Room 5824
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
NOTE External distribution done by Department of State
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1 Mr. William Jahn
Office of International Communications Policy
Room 5824
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. Lucian Pugliaresi
Policy Planning Staff
Room 7312
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 The Honorable William Schneider, Jr.
Under Secretary for Security Assistance,
Science, and Technology
T-Room 7208
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. William Salmon
Senior Adviser for Science and Technology to
Under Secretary Schneider
T-Room 7208
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. Clark Norton
Acting Director for Transportation and
Telecommunications
Room 5332
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Mr. James Jatras
EUR/SOV
Room 4229
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Lucy Hummer
Attorney Adviser
Office of Legal Adviser
Room 6420
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
1 Gerald Hellman
Deputy to Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Room 7245
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
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NSA
1
National Security Agency
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
1
National Security Agency
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
DIA
1
VOA
1
Defense Intelligence Agency
Pentagon 20301
Mr. Kenneth Tomlinson
Director, Voice of America
Room 3300
330 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
1
Mr. Warren Richards
Chief, Frequency Management and Monitoring Division
Voice of America
Room 311
BIB
2
25 M St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
Mr. George Jacobs
Board for International Broadcasting
Suite 1100
1201 Connecticut Ave., NW
1
Washington, D.C. 200036
Mr
W
lt
R
b
t
.
a
er
er
o
s
Executive Director
Board for International Broadcasting
Suite 1100
1201 Connecticut Ave., NW
1
Washington, D.C. 20036
Mr. Stanley Leinwoll
Director of Engineering, US
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty
1775 Broadwa
y
New York, New York 10019
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USIA 1 Mr. William Read
Communication Planning Officer
Room 858
US Information Agency
400 C St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
1 Mr. Maurice Raffensperger
HHS-N B/VOA/E
Room 3348
US Information Agency
330 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20547
NSC 1 Mr. Leonard Posa
National Security Council
Room 365 Old Executive Office Building
1 Dr. Carnes Lord
National Security Council
Room 365 Old Executive Office Building
1 Mr. Walt Raymond
Senior Director of International Communications
and Information and Special Assistant to the
President
National Security Council
Room 351 Old Executive Office Building
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HF-WARC: Issues and Country Positions
Conference Mandate
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will convene
the first of two sessions of a World Administrative Radio
Conference for High Frequency Broadcasting (HF-WARC) in Geneva
next January to discuss planning of the HF-broadcasting
spectrum. The short-wave frequencies are used for long-distance
radio broadcasting by services such as Voice of America, Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the British Broadcasting Corporation,
Deutsche Welle, and Radio Moscow. The LDCs compete for frequency
assignments within these same broadcasting bands for their
domestic and, in some cases, international broadcasting needs.
For many LDCs high frequency-domestic broadcasting is a primary
means for regimes to communicate with their people. The mandate
of the WARC is to establish the principles and technical
parameters that will govern the planning of the HF-broadcasting
spectrum, keeping in mind that ITU principles entitle all
countries to "free and equal right" to the use of the bands.
We anticipate substantial North-South and East-West
the use of the spectrum.
the industrial countries want to retain
and, if possible, to increase the number of HF frequencies used
by them. Industrial countries also want to maintain a flexible
system for planning the broadcasting spectrum assignments. The
LDCs want an increased number of frequency assignments, but they
seek "equitable access" to the spectrum. Many LDCs believe
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equitable access could best be secured through a system of rigid
planning. The LDCs contend that a rigid planning mechanism would
reduce spectrum congestion and mutual interference problems. We
believe the major East-West differences will center on the use of
transmitters at foreign sites and on radio jamming and its
effects on the spectrum.
US Concerns
Conference issues of importance to the United States
include:
o Securing agreement for a flexible system of planning the
HF-radio spectrum -- The United States wants increased and
ensured spectrum assignments; the LDCs want increased
assignments, an improved quality of service for their
listeners, and a simpler and less costly system of
assignments than the present practice.
o The impact of jamming on the radio spectrum -- Jamming
causes interference beyond the borders of the country
doing the jamming, making portions of the available
spectrum unusable or less usable in other parts of the
world. US broadcasts are principal jamming targets.
o Host country issues -- The United States wants to expand
its short-wave transmitter network to overcome Soviet
jamming. Countries hosting US facilities must apply for
US frequency assignments along with their own, potentially
reducing assignments available for their own use. In
addition, host countries are open to political attack for
their US connections.
o LDC demands for increased technical assistance -- The
United States and other industrial nations are likely to
be pressed for increased funding, expertise, and
technology to aid the LDCs. The 1982 ITU Plenipotentiary
called for increased telecommunications aid to the Third
World.
o Election of Conference and Committee Chairmen -- In the
past, regional groups have struggled over the election of
Conference and Committee Chairmen. The 1979 WARC was
delayed several days until a chairman acceptable to all
was found. Because of the numbers of developing countries
and increased incidence of bloc voting, finding chairmen
who are fair and effective is important to accomplishing
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expulsion of Israel from the Union. The issue required
the involvement of US negotiators and was not resolved for
four weeks of the negotiating session. Expulsion of South
Africa (e965) and Portugal (previously been
considered at ITU sessions.
Conference Issues
Planning use of the radio spectrum. The 1979 WARC approved a 40-
percent increase in the spectrum bandwidth allocated to the HF-
broadcasting service (effective mainly in 1989 and partly in
1994), with the proviso that all countries use it in an efficient
and effective manner. The 1979 conference also provided for the
upcoming HF-WARC to resolve assignments of-the HF-broadcasting
spectrum. Reaching agreement on planning the use of the HF-
broadcast bands is contentious and may not be possible;
successive efforts from 1948 on have ended in failure.
The two principal planning philosophies* are:
o A flexible system , such as the one in current use, under
which countries notify the ITU of proposed broadcast
schedules for each season and cooperate voluntarily in
resolving potential interference. The system permits
introduction of new stations, alteration of frequencies to
meet new requirements, and reassignments to meet changing
propagation conditions. Under this system, there is no
right of protection to a frequency and no guarantee that a
frequency will be suitable for broadcasting. New
frequencies are difficult to find, and the system
encourages excessive use of frequencies to overcome
uncertainties. Apart from deliberate jamming, substantial
inadvertent mutual interference often makes reception
difficult. LDCs complain that the quarterly submission of
requirements and subsequent efforts to reconcile apparent
incompatibilities places an undue burden on their
financial and technical resources.
o Fixed or a priori planning would (for one or several years
at a time) involve agreed-upon schedules for given levels
of solar activity and for different seasons; fixed
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* An ITU study group has analyzed seven planning methods, one of
which combines elements from both of these philosophies.
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planning may have advantages for countries with fixed reception
areas. A fixed schedule would free governments from the burden
of repetitive frequency selection and notification. It would
attempt to assure usable frequencies and minimize interference,
thereby reducing the non-jamming related needs for multiple
frequencies per program. After initial coordination, such a
system would require no further coordination until a new plan is
created. Developing a fixed plan that will satisfy all countries
would be difficult, even in the absence of jamming. The method
has a built-in inefficiency since it is based on future
requirements and could leave parts of the spectrum unused.
Moreover, a fixed plan makes accommodation of new reception
areas, introduction of new stations, and unexpected propagation
The growing use of HF-broadcasting complicates planning
under either system. The high frequency bands are burdened with
increasing numbers of transmitters, redundant frequency usage,
and jamming transmissions. To overcome this situation
broadcasters have been increasing the number and power of their
transmitters. New countries entering the HF-broadcasting field
add to the problem.
East-West tensions over the jamming issue may inhibit a
potential alliance in favor of a more flexible planning
procedure. As a major international broadcaster, we believe the
USSR's interests are better served by a flexible process. The
Soviets, like the United States, would probably like to increase
their HF-spectrum assignments. However, rather than confront the
LDCs, we believe they are likely to remain silent. In that
event, they probably would not sign the results of the conference
and would continue to broadcast as they see fit. Evidence from
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monitoring programs indicates that the Soviets engage in
extensive out of band broadcasting -- as much as 1468 hours per
day in addition to 3476 hours per day within the ITU-assigned
bands. If the Soviets should sign the conference agreement,
their past practice indicates that they will abide by it.
Ultimately, we believe the interests of LDCs are better
served by any coordinated process, flexible or rigid, than by
chaos. Developed nations possess the funds and technology to
effect their broadcasting needs. Without regulation developing
nations would probably suffer increased interference and have
less ability to resolve the problem. To the extent that
developing nations perceive this reality, there is hope for a
rational compromise. The forthcoming 1989-94 increase in HF-
broadcasting spectrum availability should help to this end. If
developing nations insist on rigid planning of the entire HF
spectrum, however, we believe compromise will be impossible.
The impact of jamming on the radio spectrum. At this time, we
cannot predict the potential fate of an anti-jamming resolution
at the HF-WARC. At the May 1983 ITU Administrative Council
meeting, the United States circulated a paper that contained a
resolution against jamming which had been developed in the Inter-
American Telecommunications Conference (CITEL). Influential LDC
leaders such as Yugoslavia and Cameroon supported the principle
of the resolution. West Germany expressed concern that the
introduction of jamming as a conference issue would lead to the
politicization of discussion, wasted time in an already crowded
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agenda, and accomplish nothing. Representatives from some South
American countries also expressed concern over potential East-
West conference politicization on the jamming issue. On balance,
we believe that most nations perceive jamming as essentially an
East-West political issue and regard the interference due to
jamming as something which the HF WARC can do little or nothing
to alter.
The United States is exploring ways to develop radio
monitoring data which would demonstrate the world-wide effect of
jamming on spectrum availability. It is hoped that these data
will help demonstrate to the LDCs the need for flexible planning
procedures, although the rationale for connecting the jamming
issue with alternative approaches to spectrum planning has not
yet been fully worked out.
In our judgment, the Soviets are certain to react strongly
to any initiatives involving jamming. They will defend jamming
as a strictly internal matter. If efforts are made to introduce
jamming as a technical issue that must be considered in the
development of a planning process, the Soviets may also attack
evidence demonstrating the technical effects of jamming on
spectrum availabilty throughout the world.
Judging from past Soviet behavior in the ITU, we expect a
part of the Soviet strategy for dealing with jamming will be to
talk the issue to death. Soviet interventions during past
meetings have been long, frequently polemic, often tangential to
the real issue, and filled with "misunderstandings." As a
result, delegations may grow weary of the constant back-and-forth
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and move to put the issue aside.
We.doubt that the LDCs have yet formed a group position on
jamming, since the prospect of its emergence as a major
conference issue became evident only in the later stages of the
1983 Administrative Council meeting. Nevertheless, the UN vote
last fall on principles governing the use of satellites for
international direct television broadcasting indicates that the
LDCs would not support an anti-jamming resolution at the WARC
which inhibits in any way their right to jam. The 1982 UNGA
resolution implies that States bear responsibility for broadcasts
emanating from their national territories and that direct
broadcasting should be compatible with the "sovereign rights of
States, including the principle of non-intervention as well as
with the right of everyone to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas as enshrined in the relevant United Nations
instruments." Furthermore, the resolution advocates that
receiving states must give prior consent to broadcasts from
abroad. The resolution was approved by the Special Political
Committee with a vote of 88-15(US)-11, and later was adopted by
the General Assembly (107-13 US -13). (For details on voting,
see Appendix II)
To the extent that jamming becomes a substantive issue in
the development of a planning process, we believe there is a
danger that LDCs will use it as one more argument in favor of a
more rigid planning process. A rigid a priori plan could
restrict the spectrum available to jammed broadcasters and,
therefore, limit the effects of jamming. A "clear" spectrum
 We do not anticipate attacks on the principle of free flow
of information, other than in response to the jamming issue. The
ITU has traditionally accepted the stated requirements of nations
for the HF-broadcasting spectrum, including world-wide reception
areas. Attacks on program content or the right of one nation to
broadcast to another would be a radical change from accepted ITU
practice. The development of a rigid planning process could,
however, force a nation to limit its broadcasting and thus, in a
sense, restrict the free flow of information.
Host country issue. Although the conference agenda does not
contain the host-country issue, it could arise. To help overcome
jamming of international broadcasting and to improve signal
quality in reception zones, transmitters are placed in host
countries by the US and by other international broadcasters such
as the UK, West Germany, and the Netherlands. The USSR with its
enormous land mass does not place transmitters beyond its
borders. US broadcasters want to maintain their current sites
and, in some cases, add new countries to their transmission
networks. Since host countries for US transmitters must include
US transmitting requirements along with their own in applying for
spectrum assignments, they are open to political criticism from
others for being "subservient" to the US government.
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The Soviets, who could attack the principle of relay
broadcasts, have traditionally condemned broadcasting from
foreign soil. The most recent example of Soviet opposition to
host countries sites involves a VOA request for transmitting
sites
The
Director for Culture and Information explained that his
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relations was also a factor. In this connection,
Soviet television commented on an article
States transmitter sites and questioned why other nations,
especially West Germany, permit the United States to wage
"psychological warfare" from their soil. The article then
attacked all host countries as the propaganda mouthpieces of the
Reagan Administration.
o A new planning mechanism evolving from the HF-WARC could
require each nation to set priorities for broadcasting
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requirements;' the results might place US needs in a
secondary position.
o The Non-Aligned nations could submit a resolution
condemning foreign broadcasting stations on the
territories of certain developing countries. Such a
resolution was drafted, but never submitted, during the
1979 WARC. At the Non-Alavnp. in New Delhi last
March it was agreed that
the practice of foreign broadcasting should be
discouraged, but that such broadcasting is a bilateral
matter best country and the broadcasting
country.
Increased technical assistance for LDCs. Although the drive for
increased technical assistance is not likely to be a major issue
at this conference, LDC actions at the 1982 Nairobi
Plenipoteniary and the May ITU Administrative Council meeting
suggest that the LDCs may make an issue of the obligation of the
developed nations to assist LDCs. At the HF-WARC this call for
assistance most likely would take the form of increased help in
the planning process or assistance in obtaining improv
technology for transmitting, such as improved antennas
The US delegation report of the ITU Administrative Council
meeting stated that LDCs interpret the Nairobi Plenipotentiary
call for technical cooperation and funding as marking the
beginning of a new era in the ITU. According to the report, the
LDCs will use ITU conferences for their technical goals of
achieving "equitable access" and the ITU administration council
as the forum for extracting the political and financial
recognition of their developmental requirements.
Election of Conference and Committee Chairmen. Although specific
nominations for the chairmanship of the HF-WARC and its committee
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chairmen are not yet on the table, past experience indicates that
there will be North-South, and possibly East-West, contention
over the selections. The US delegation report from the 1979 WARC
notes that that the conference was delayed three days because of
a drive by the Non-Aligned to seat a Non-Aligned candidate
(Indian) as conference chairman. Compromise was finally reached
when an Argentine candidate was nominated as a Latin American,
rather than as a Non-Aligned representative.
free of non-relevant political issues, but the 1982 ITU
Plenipotentiary did not resolve an Arab proposal to exclude
Israel from that meeting and all other ITU sessions until the end
of the fourth week. After three votes, all taken by secret
ballot, a resolution critical of Israel but not calling for its
exclusion or for other sanctions was adopted. To date, we have
no indication of political issues that may arise at the 1984
WARC.
Algeria
We expect Algeria to play a leadership role for the LDCs.
Algeria has been the leader among the Non-Aligned on high
frequency matters for some time. Algeria provides leadership by
working through the Broadcasting Organization for Non-Aligned
Countries (BONAC), through the submission of proposals in the
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ITU, and through its active participation during conferences. In
past conferences, e.g. the 1979 WARC, Algeria has been willing to
compromise on highly controversial issues so long as the basic
interests and needs of the LDCs (as perceived by Algeria) were
addressed.
Whether or not the conference can agree on a planning
process acceptable to both developed and developing nations may
well depend on whether Algeria or the more obstinate India
assumes the role of leader and spokesman for the Non-Aligned.
India has for many years provided leadership to the LDCs at
various ITU meetings. At the 1979 WARC and elsewhere, the head
of the Indian delegation T.V. Srirangan has been an especially
tough advocate for LDC interests. Delegates to the 1979 WARC,
for example, reported several instances of his pressing issues on
the floor well after broad LDC support for his stance had
crumbled.
We believe there is a possibility that the Algerian role and
influence on HF matters will be reduced at this conference.
Since 1979, Algeria has lost its dynamic, technically competent
staff member Mohamed Harbi to an official ITU post.
Further, the strong personality of India's
Srirangan will now be focused on HF issues. If Srirangan
succeeds in achieving a strong leadership role for himself, the
possibility of finding a compromise planning process will be
significantly reduced.
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planning process are'unquestionably motivated in part by self-
interest. A review of the May 1983 HF-broadcasting schedule
shows that Algerian broadcasts experience considerable
interference from developed nation broadcasters, including those
of the Soviet Bloc. also indicates
that Algeria is one of the countries to suffer significantly from
Soviet and Bloc country jamming.
In addition to its preference for a rigid planning process,
Algeria will probably favor technical changes that would ease the
problems of LDC broadcasters. For example, based on observed
Algerian behavior at prior conferences, we anticipate that
Algeria would favor lower permitted transmitter powers to reduce
the general level of interference in the broadcast bands.
Similarly, we expect Algeria to oppose expensive technical
changes, such as antenna directivity requirements.
Algeria and other Arab nations have host-country interests
of their own. many Arab nations
host PLO Voice of Palestine broadcasts. The situation, however,
is not precisely analogous to that of the United States. The PLO
broadcasts are carried over the national radios of the host
country and take a political line similar to that of the host.
There are four daily PLO radio broadcasts, one each from Algeria,
Iraq, North Yemen, and South Yemen. There are three weekly PLO-
affiliated programs, one each from Tunisia, Angola, and
Mauritania. According to press reports, Lebanon may also
initiate PLO broadcasts in the near future. In addition,
Palestinian programs, not affiliated with the PLO, come from
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Egypt, Iran, and Syria.
We. do not expect Algeria to raise the question of Israeli
expulsion from the ITU at this conference as it did at the 1982
ITU Plenipotentiary conference in Nairobi. We believe it is
unlikely that this issue would be renewed so soon, especially in
,view of Algeria's general shift away from antagonism to the
West. We have no information on any other extraneous political
issue Algeria might propose.
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Morocco
In our opinion, Moroccan positions and actions at the HF-
WARC will be generally supportive of US positions and
interests. Morocco is a host country for VOA and quite friendly
toward the United States at present. We know little about the
Moroccans' sensitivities to their position as a host country.
Whether they would be willing to introduce or cosponsor US
proposals or would prefer to sit passively and generally vote
with the United States is not known.
An examination of the May 1983 High Frequency Broadcasting
Schedule indicates that Moroccan domestic and regional HF-
broadcasting interests are quite small (less than 50 frequency
hours per day).
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Tunisia.
We expect Tunisia to go along with other moderate Arab
states on most conference issues. Although we have little new
information, Tunisian activity from 1977 to 1979 in the
Broadcasting Organization for Non-Aligned Countries (BONAC) would
suggest that Tunisia will probably follow the Non-Aligned
approach. Tunisian activity in BONAC appears to have waned in
the 1980s, and we do not believe Tunisia will play any sort of
influential or leadership role.
Tunisian HF-broadcasting interests are minimal from the
standpoint of spectrum usage -- 40 frequency hours per day
according to the May 1983 schedule. These 40 hours are directed
exclusively at local and regional audiences.
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the West European nations will work with the
United States to coordinate positions. In past ITU conferences,
the United Kingdom has been our staunchest ally and also has been
able to exert some influence with Commonwealth countries. Past
practice in the ITU indicates that Belgium, Italy, and Luxembourg
can also be expected to back the United States. If the United
States is uncompromising on a North-South issue, however, we
believe all three will most likely remain mute, reluctant to
confront the South.
These European countries
too will be seeking increased use of the HF band. They will
advocate flexible planning and resist an a priori system for HF
assignments because they feel that a rigid system could endanger
their spectrum requirements. In other negotiating forums
Belgium, which is sensitive to Third World demands because of its
ties with former colonies, has sought to find compromise, but
they have not been very energetic in their mediating efforts.
The United Kingdom is a host country for the VOA and,
according to a VOA report, a fellow victim of jamming. We
believe the British would support some form of US effort on the
jamming issue.
World Information Order (NWIO) than to the WARC.
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International Telecommunication Union: The Organization, Its
Purpose, and Powers
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) stems from
the International Telegraph Union established in 1865. In 1947,
the ITU became a United Nations specialized agency responsible
for telecommunications and moved to its present Geneva
location.
Three basic documents govern the Union's members -- the
International Telecommunication Convention, the Radio
Regulations, and the Telegraph and Telephone Regulations. The
Radio Regulations are the final product of general and special
world administrative conferences. The upcoming HF-WARC is an
example of a special conference.
The Union seeks to maintain an efficient world-wide
telecommunication network and to upgrade the technologies and
procedures used in that network. The Convention, in effect the
Union's constitution, states that its goals are to:
o Allocate the radio frequency spectrum and register
assignments to the spectrum to avoid harmful interference.
o Coordinate efforts to eliminate harmful interference
between radio stations and to improve the use of the
spectrum.
o Coordinate efforts to harmonize the devlopment of
telecommunication facilities.
o Foster creation, development, and improvement. of
telecommunication equipment and networks in developing
countries, especially in the appropriate UN programs.
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o Promote adoption of measures for ensuring the safety of
life through telecommunications.
o Undertake studies, make regulations, adopt resolutions,
formulate recommendations, and opinions, and collect and
publish information concerning telecommunication
Today 158 countries belong to the organization. Membership
is open to all countries contained in a list appended to the
convention, members of the UN, and others who receive the
approval of two-thirds of the present members. Although nations
try to reach decisions through consensus, when an agreement
cannot be reached voting takes place on the basis of one nation,
one vote.
Powers of the ITU and the HF-WARC The ITU has no powers of
enforcement. The International Telecommunication Convention and
its appended Radio Regulations possess full treaty status in the
United States. Nations may make reservations to portions of the
Convention and regulations, asserting their rights to deviate
from the rules in those portions.
Negotiating Structure for the HF-WARC. During the WARC the
delegates will be divided into committees, subcommittees, and
working groups to examine the proposals submitted by the various
member nations. The groups at the lowest level will seek to gain
consensus on the proposals. If consensus cannot be reached, the
issue will be moved to the next highest level. If no consensus
can be reached there, the issue may be taken to a plenary meeting
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where the one-nation; one-vote system and a simple majority are
in force. If called for and supported by at least a second
country, a secret ballot can be used. Since two-thirds of the
nations attending are LDCs, bloc voting may be anticipated in the
open ballots, but during secret ballots votes may change
significantly.
o International High Frequency Broadcasting Conference,
Atlantic City, 1947 -- Inaugurated the short-wave
broadcasting planning effort.
o International High Frequency Broadcasting Conference,
Mexico City, 1948-49 -- An effort to reach agreement on
how to allot channel hours among all nations for short-
wave broadcasting. The United States and the USSR did not
sign final acts. Until now the Soviets and their allies
have not joined in further HF-planning efforts.
o International High Frequncy Broadcasting Conference,
Florence and Rapallo, 1950 -- Agreed that a plan could not
be produced.
o Extraordinary Administrative Radio Conference, Geneva,
1951 -- Gave the new International Frequency Registration
Board (IFRB) the task of preparing plans for HF-
broadcasting service for the next WARC.
o World Administrative Radio Conference, Geneva, 1959 --
Adopted procedures which are still in use for submitting
seasonal schedules to the IFRB and called for voluntary
coordination of schedules with the assistance of the
o World Administrative Radio Conference, Geneva, 1979 --
Revised the Table of Frequency Allocations, expanded the
amount of spectrum space devoted to HF broadcasting, and
called for a two-session HF-broadcasting conference to
establish parameters for planning and principles to be
used in the HF band allocated to broadcasting. The second
session (1986) is to implement the plan and make the
relevent revisions of the Radio Regulations. (U)
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Voting on Direct Satellite Broadcasting Resolution
The country positions and votes during the 1982 UNGA
television broadcasting debate in the Special Political Committee
are given below. The resolution was approved by a vote of 88-
15(US)-11 in the committee and 107-13(US)-13 in the General
Assembly. (See page 7 for discussion of resolution.)
Nineteen states sponsored the item -- Argentina, o ivia,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq,
Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Romania,
Uruguay, and Venezuela. Delegations which spoke out in support
of the principle of free flow of information prior to the vote
were the West Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, the
Netherlands, and New Zealand. The East German representative
upheld the sovereign right of states to prevent misuse of direct
television broadcasting. When the General Assembly vote was
taken France, Portugal, and Malawi changed their votes to
abstentions and Iran changed its abstention to a vote for the
resolution. (See Table 1.)
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Belgium
Denmark
France
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Luxembourg
the Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
West Germany
Australia
Austria
Canada
Finland
Greece
Iran
Ireland
Lebanon
Morocco
New Zealand
Sweden
Costa Rica
Antigua/Barbuda
Ivory Coast
Niger (Co-sponsor)
El Salvador
Barbados
the Bahamas
Sri Lanka
Malta
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