THE PRESIDENT S TRIP TO EAST ASIA

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
4
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 7, 2010
Sequence Number: 
54
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 2, 1983
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4.pdf314.56 KB
Body: 
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 V i... , 1 % i... August 2, 1983 Executive P.e.jistrp 83 3921 SECRET MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE ADMINISTRATOR, AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY SUBJECT: The President's Trip to East Asia (U) The President will visit East Asia in November, including stops in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea. (U) The trip will demonstrate US understanding and response to the shift in the world's center of economic activity in the direction of the Pacific Basin. The President will use the visit to reaffirm democratic principles, applaud the economic progress achieved by this region, seek closer economic and political ties between ourselves and these nations, and urge greater coordination in the region to spread the benefits to less fortunate neighbors. He will also want to call attention to the growing community of interests developing in the Pacific, and to explore possibilities for expanding regional cooperation on a range of issues. He will stress that the U.S. is a partner and active participant in the region, contributing to its economic development and political stabil- ity, as well as the security balance. (C) Philippines: This stop will reciprocate President Marcos' visit to Washington and emphasize historic US-Philippine ties. It will also provide an opportunity for the US to express confidence in the Philippines' basic economic health and prospects as well as the importance we accord our bilateral security relationship. While recognizing the need to address the issue, we should structure the Manila stop so as to prevent an excessive media focus on human rights.(C) Indonesia (bilateral meeting): This stop is a State visit by the President. As the largest nation in Southeast Asia and a prominent member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia plays an influential role in a number of areas of major importance to the United States. As current Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee, Indonesia also occupies a central position SECRET min M MX 7;td5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 in that organization at an important period in the developing US-ASEAN relationship. In Jakarta, we will want to build on the positive and still growing US-Indonesian relationship, focusing on our common regional concerns as well as key commercial and economic themes. At the same time, it will be important to allay concern in Indonesia and other ASEAN countries that we are insensitive to the needs of the develop- ing countries. (C) Meeting with ASEAN Foreign Ministers: It is presently proposed that the President and Soeharto would jointly convene a meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers'in-Jakarta. This will afford the President the opportunity to call attention to our strong interest in and support for ASEAN in our policies. Particular emphasis should be given to the highly constructive and responsible role which ASEAN has come to play in the world community. The President should express support for ASEAN on Kampuchea and appreciation for ASEAN's offer of help to Secretary Shultz on the POW/MIA question. Opportunities for expanded economic cooperation with ASEAN might be raised, as well as opportunities for wider regional cooperation. (C) Thailand: The President's stop in Thailand will be a visible display of our support for Thai security, and the ASEAN's sustained efforts to bring about a settlement in Kampuchea. We should demonstrate sensitivity to Thailand's refugees, and express our appreciation for cooperation on the POW/MIA issue. The Bangkok visit also will give the President the chance to note our appreciation for Thai cooperation on narcotics control while urging greater efforts. (S) Japan: This stop offers the President the opportunity to establish a new milestone in relations with this key ally in East Asia. The visit should emphasize the strength, vitality and diversity of our ties to Japan. We should seek closer consultation and cooperation with Japan on a wide range of political, economic, and security issues, including economic aid for our mutual friends. We should seek rapid, significant progress on outstanding trade issues, and should emphasize the contribution that our security relationship and Japan's defense role makes to regional peace and prosperity. We should make every effort to prepare the groundwork for in- creasing Japanese commitments to imports of US energy. We also need to recognize the importance of Prime Minister Nakasone's defense initiatives and, in particular, his will- ingness to acknowledge the objective of closing off the straits in time of war. (C) Korea: Our objective in this stop will be to reaffirm our commitment to Korea's defense and security, emphasize the importance of US-Korean economic ties, and support the con- tinued broadening of Korea's regional role. The President will also want to make clear his support for continued pro- gress toward greater democracy in Korea. (C) SECRET SECRET' Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4 Meeting with de la Madrid and Trudeau: This meeting responds to the proposal of Prime Minister Trudeau during his recent bilateral with the President for a tripartite meeting of the US, Mexico and Canada. Together, as Pacific Rim nations, it also reinforces the themes of the overall trip. The agenda should focus on Pacific as well as North American issues. In this context, an invigorated economic environment and an improved climate for cooperation among Pacific Basin countries should assist both Canada's and Mexico's trade opportunities. (S) Administration: Preparations for this visit will be complex and intricate. The President would like the State Department to organize and chair an interdepartmental group of appropriate interagency representatives to coordinate all the substantive preparations and briefing materials. Specifically, the group should identify any specific issues which should be resolved in anticipation of the President's trip, develop the key issues and objectives, and point out sensitive and potential problem areas. An initial report should be forwarded to the NSC by August 15. Work plan milestones will be established by the group and published by the NSC Executive Secretary. (S) SECRET SECRET Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/11: CIA-RDP85M00364R002404750054-4