FINANCING RADIO FREE EUROPE AND RADIO LIBERTY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2011
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: June 22, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
MEMORANDUM IP
SECRET /SENSITIVE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WA:milli ()TON
June 22, 1971
? MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
SUBJECT:
AC LEON
Financing Radio Free Europe and Radio
Liberty
As you know, the Administration has proposed the creation of the American
Council for Private International Communications, Inc. to overtly fund
Radio Liberty and Radio Free Europe. Because the bill is presently stalled
and will probably not be passed before December, there is an urgent need
to find an acceptable procedure for interim funding of these two Radios
4' after existing appropriations terminate on June 30, 1971.
The preferable interim method is to prolong the existing arrangement of
CIA funding via a continuing resolution. However, Chairman Ellender of
the Senate Appropriations Committee has indicated opposition to this
procedure. He has stated, nonetheless, that his Committee "would consider
a request for an 'open' appropriation for the required interim funding, '
pending the enactment and implementation of open funding legislation."
(Tab A) An arrangement which might meet Senator Ellender's objections
would be to fund the Radios under USIA's appropriation. Director Shultz
feels this is the only viable alternative for obtaining temporary funding.
However, this "open" arrangement has a number of shortcomings:
? ? There is traditional opposition to explicit inclusion of a
controversial item under the continuing resolution.
? The USIA arrangement could evolve into a long term
? arrangement, undercutting the Administration's bill and
increasing pressures to eliminate distinctions between
Voice of America and the Radios.
Although Frank Shakespeare does not strongly object,
the State Department is concerned that such a move would
endanger the status of VOA and other USIA activities. It
also might put additional pressure on the Germans.
NSS, DOS Reviews
Completed.
THIS DOCUMENT MAY CONTAIN
CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
SECRET /SENSITIVE
The open appropriation might provide a vehicle for rallying
opposition forces in the Committee and on the Senate floor for
prolonged debate and might not gain passage.
The 40 Committee believes that only your direct intervention with Senator
Ellender could overcome his opposition to interim CIA funding under a
continuing resolution. Although I am not sanguine about the possibility of
convinbing Senator Ellender to alter his stand, I believe, on balance, that
the 'complications of the USIA alternative make an effort to use Presidential
pressure worthwhile even under these circumstances. Senator Ellender is
probably not sympathetic to arguments for the continuing need for Radio
Liberty and Radio Free EuroIl)e. If Senator Ellender remains unconvinced
you could then ask his support for temporary funding under the USIA
appropriation of the continuing resolution.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you call Senator Ellender using the Talking Points at Tab B, requesting
his acquiescence in continuing the present funding 'arrangement on an interim
basis and relucta.ntly suggesting open funding through USIA if Senatro? Ellentipr
is adamantly opposed.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-14-4-31-7
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