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Chapter 5. International Environmental Policy

-287. Memorandum From the President's Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, June 2, 1969  [ PDF version   ] 
Kissinger reported on progress at the North Atlantic Council of NATO on establishing a Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society to deal with environmental issues.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 256, NATO, Vol. V. Confidential. Sent for information. Nixon proposed the committee in an April 10 speech to the North Atlantic Council. The full text of the address is in Public Papers: Nixon, 1969, pp. 272-276. Attached but not published was Richardson's May 19 memorandum.

-288. Letter from the Acting Secretary of the Interior (Train) to Under Secretary of State (Richardson), Washington, November 17, 1969  [ PDF version   ] 

Train expressed his concern that the Department of State was not enthusiastic about the UN Conference on the Human Environment. The American concern over the conference budget, he predicted, would have a negative effect on world opinion. He suggested that U.S. leadership adopt a "positive attitude" toward the Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 61-3. No classification marking.

Richardson assured Train that the Department of State was giving the UN Conference on the Human Environment, slated for Stockholm, Sweden, its fullest support.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 61-3. No classification marking. Drafted by Guy Ferri (IO/OES), cleared by Thomas Kellermann (SCI), and redrafted by Melvin Levitsky on December 8.

The telegram reviewed the progress of the CCMS proposal within NATO.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 3 NATO. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Alan D. Berlind (EUR/RPM) on December 3; cleared with SCI, EUR/RPM, and the White House; and approved by Springsteen.

The Department of State outlined a rationale for a new U.S. initiative in East-West cooperation in environmental matters.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 NATO. Confidential. Repeated to all NATO capitals, all Eastern European capitals, Bern, Helsinki, Madrid, Stockholm, Tokyo, Vienna, Dublin, Belgrade, Strasbourg, Moscow, and USUN. Drafted by Arva C. Floyd and Edward J. Streator (EUR/RPM) on February 9; cleared with EUR, SCI, IO, BMI, EE and the White House; and approved by Richardson.

Under Secretary of State Richardson reassured NATO Ambassador Ellsworth that the Department of State was not detracting from environmental efforts launched through CCMS.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 NATO. Confidential. Repeated to all NATO capitals, OECD Paris, the U.S. Mission to Geneva, and USUN. Drafted by Floyd and Streator; cleared in EUR, SCI, IO, and the White House; and approved by Richardson. In telegram 794 from NATO, March 4, Ellsworth agreed that the concept of more vigorous U.S. leadership in environmental matters through the ECE was sound, but disagreed that the main focus should shift to the OECD. (Ibid.)

Herter briefed Rogers on the first meeting of the Standing Committee within the Cabinet Committee on the Environment.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. No classification marking. Sent through Pollack (SCI) and Eliot. Drafted by William C. Salmon (SCI/EN) on March 5. Tabs A-C were attached but not published.

Rogers reported that at the first meeting of the International Standing Committee on the Environment he had set 1972 as a target date for tangible results in international environmental cooperation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, President's Evening Reading: Lot 74 D 164. Secret. Richardson signed for Rogers.

The Department emphasized the importance of the Economic Commission for Europe's Prague Conference on the Environment as a forum for East-West cooperation and as a means for orienting the ECE toward tangible action. It believed that this emphasis should not detract from the work of the CCMS.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 NATO. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to the Mission to Geneva. Drafted by Floyd and Smith (IO) on March 28; cleared in EUR, SCI, IO, and the White House; and approved by Springsteen.

Study entitled: "NATO: Support for Committee on Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) Growing."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 NATO. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem. Drafted by F. Herbert Capps (INR/REU/BINC) and cleared by Martin Packman (INR/REU).

The Mission transmitted the text of Counsellor to the President Moynihan's remarks delivered at the opening of the second meeting of the CCMS.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 NATO. Unclassified; Priority. Repeated to USIA and all NATO capitals.

The letter transmitted a document entitled, "Significant Activities of the Department of State in the Environmental Field."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. No classification marking.

Johnson asked the President to provide guidance for U.S. policy toward the major international organizations dealing with the environment.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. Unclassified. Drafted by Herter. A notation on the first page indicated that the President approved the statement.

The study, entitled: "Major International Conference on the Environment, 1971-1972," was prepared as a supporting paper for a report on "U.S. Priority Interest in the Environmental Activities of International Organizations."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Howard M. Wiedemann, (IND/DFR).

The telegram was also sent to the Mission to the United Nations, the Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mission to Economic Commission for Europe, and the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  The Department provided guidelines for President Nixon's decisions on U.S. policy toward the major international organizations dealing with the environment.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 UN. Unclassified. Drafted by Herter on October 14; cleared by Pollack, Herz, Hillenbrand, Treize, and in substance with Train and Moynihan; and approved by Acting Secretary of State Irwin.

Greenwald discussed the Department of State's broad strategy in directing the OECD's environmental work.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 OECD. Limited Official Use; Official-Informal. A notation on the letter indicates Greenwald signed the original.

The report is entitled: "U.S. Priority Interests in the Environmental Activities of International Organizations."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. No classification marking.

The Mission reported that at the meeting of the ECE senior environmental advisers, Soviet senior advisers tried to play down the importance of international environmental action.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 ECE. Confidential. Repeated to OECD, USUN, USNATO, Bonn, London, Moscow, Paris, Prague, and Stockholm.

Rogers was authorized to continue the International Standing Committee on the Environment even though its parent Cabinet Committee had been abolished.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. No classification marking. A copy was sent to Train.

Hudson informed Herter that underdeveloped countries may feel that concern about the environment is a "rich man's game" and that this may inhibit the work of the Stockholm conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 BRAZ. Limited Official Use; Official-Informal. Copies were sent to the ambassador, deputy chief of mission, and public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73. SCI 41 ECE. Confidential.

The report summarized the results of the symposium held in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The symposium was downgraded from "conference" status because of the problem of East German representation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 ECE. No classification marking. Drafted by Patrick Mulloy on July 12.

Under a covering memorandum, Eliot transmitted scenarios in which the U.S. would support an invitation to the People's Republic of China to attend the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Secret. Drafted by Barbara J. Schrage (IO/UNP) on August 1 and cleared in IO, EA, EUR, L, C, and SCI.

Research study entitled: "UN: Soviets Pushing GDR Participation in Stockholm Environment Conference."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Secret. Drafted by John J. Donovan and cleared by Frank H. Perez (both of INR/RSG.)

Train discussed the possibility of environmental cooperation with the People's Republic of China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking. A copy was sent to Ehrlichman.

Rogers recommended that the President propose the establishment of a United Nations Fund on the Environment, asserting that it, and substantial financial support, would serve as the keystone of U.S. participation in the Stockholm Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41 UN. A notation on the memorandum reads: "Message sent to Congress 2/8/72." The message is printed in Public Papers: Nixon, 1972, pp. 173-189. Annexes 1-6 were attached but not published.

Kissinger thanked Train for his suggestions on possible environmental cooperation with China and promised to "keep them in mind," but agreed that there was little evidence that the Chinese were interested in environmental cooperation.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking. Haig signed for Kissinger.

The study was entitled, "UN: Soviets Increase Pressure for GDR Participation in Stockholm Conference."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. Drafted by Donovan and cleared by Perez.

Kissinger and Train recommended that the President agree to Secretary of State Rogers' recommendation to create a voluntary UN Fund on the Environment in part because it would give the Stockholm Conference the chance to produce a substantive international program.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CQE I. Confidential. Sent for action. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. The initials "RN" are next to the option of recommendation 2 that the "US should offer $40 million on a 40/60 matching basis." There is no indication that the President approved the other recommendations.

Eliot described the Department's position on an anti-nuclear clause submitted by the Japanese and inserted into the draft declaration on the environment prepared for the Stockholm Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. Drafted by John Trevithick (IO/SCT) on February 28, and cleared by IO, SCI, ACDA, and PM. Carson signed for Eliot. The IWG Report, DOD Memorandum, and State Memorandum were attached but not published.

Intelligence Note entitled: "Brazil: If Development Brings Pollution, So Be It."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. Drafted by Ruth M. Schimel and cleared by Godfrey H. Summ (both of INR/RAR).

CEQ Chairman Train and Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin discussed the feasibility of U.S.-U.S.S.R. joint working projects and the possibility that U.S. and Soviet leaders could sign a bilateral environmental agreement during the Moscow summit.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ II. Secret.

Train recommended that Secretary of State Rogers not be designated as the head of the U.S. Delegation to the Stockholm Conference.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ II. No classification marking. Copies were sent to Kissinger and Whitaker. Printed from a copy that indicates that Train signed the original.

Stevenson reported that the World Heritage Convention, announced by President Nixon as an environmental objective, had been prepared by the representatives of 60 nations and would be submitted to the UNESCO General Conference in October 1972 for approval.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41. Unclassified. Drafted by Salans on April 26.

Irwin submitted a report of the Under Secretaries Committee on the status of international environmental negotiations as requested by the President.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. There is no indication that the President approved or disapproved any of the recommendations.

The intelligence note assessed the expected African position at the Stockholm UN Conference on the Human Environment.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Drafted by Jim B. Marshall and cleared by J. Ghiardi, both of INR/REC.

Kissinger summarized CEQ Chairman Train's memorandum on U.S. environmental goals for President Nixon.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking. Sent for information. A stamped note on the memorandum indicated the President saw it. McDonald signed the attached report for Train.

Train reported on the Stockholm Conference and characterized it as a success.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking. The memorandum is unsigned. The draft statement was attached but not published. Copies were sent to Erhlichman and Kissinger.

Herter transmitted the U.S. Delegation's official report of activity during the Stockholm Conference.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential.

Kissinger informed Train that President Nixon had approved a recommendation that Train serve as U.S. coordinator to monitor implementation of the U.S.-Soviet Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking. Copies were sent to Ehrlichman and Ziegler. Nixon's letter to Train is Document 327. On April 28 the White House authorized sending a delegation to Moscow to negotiate an ad referendum environmental cooperation agreement based upon previously exchanged drafts. Dr. Gordon MacDonald headed the delegation. (Memorandum from Hillenbrand to Kissinger, May 1; ibid., Box 719, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XXII) On May 6 the environmental negotiations were successfully concluded. (Memorandum from Sonnenfeldt to Kissinger, May 6, ibid.) The text of agreement is printed in Department of State Bulletin, June 26, 1972, pp. 921-923.

Nixon designated Train as the Chairman of the United States side of the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Committee in the Field of Environmental Cooperation and the U.S. Coordinator for the agreement.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. No classification marking.

An intelligence assessment of "The Soviets in the International Environment: After Stockholm."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SCI 41-3 UN. Confidential. Drafted by Robert T. Willner and cleared by Martin Packman, both of INR/REU.

Clift suggested guidance for Train prior to his trip to Moscow. He questioned Train's inclination to present the Soviets with several rare horses.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. Administratively Confidential. Sent for action. Tabs A-C were attached but not published. Next to the first sentence of the second paragraph of section 1, Kissinger wrote in the margin: "I favor it." Kissinger wrote next to the sentence in the second to last paragraph opposing a gift of horses: "I agree, it is crazy." Kissinger initialed his approval of both recommendations.

Sonnenfeldt commented on the success of CEQ Chairman Train's talks with the Soviet leadership and reported that a memorandum of understanding providing for the implementation of cooperative environmental projects had been signed with the USSR.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. Administratively Confidential. Sent for prompt action please. There is a check mark next to the option not to include Dobrynin.

Kissinger summarized CEQ Chairman Train's report on the first meeting of the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Committee on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection. Train's report is attached.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 217, CEQ I. Confidential. Sent for information. Copies of Train's report were sent to Ehrlichman and Kissinger. A notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.