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National Association of Broadcasters 4/2/90 [OA 6895] [1]
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26
20
4
6
Bureau NY
Igor makuren
chapter Greater Clevelas
chell
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Chriss --
Paul Kiley, who works with the
Calif. State Library's Literacy
Campaign, called and said he'd
heard that the President would be
speaking to the National Association
of Broadcasters sometime soon.
Paul has been working with the
Caucus for Producers, Writers,
and Directors on the idea of
including literacy as a theme
for all kinds of TV programming.
He sent me this letter with the
idea that it might be of interest
as background for the speech, so
I'm passing it on to you.
Susan Green
FOR
PRODUCE
WRITERS
DIRECTOR
Rm 122
August 8, 1989
Mr. Arthur Hiller
ALSO sent TO: WRITERS Gould
Directors Guild of America
7920 Sunset Boulevard
Screen Acton build
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Americantilm Institute,
Dear Arthur:
Recently, the Caucus met with Paul Kiley, who is with the
California State Library in Sacramento, and who is anxious
to raise awareness re the problem of literacy.
I need your help in seeing what we can do, as we have
already done in other areas, to advance the possibilities
for creating a more literate America.
We can take pride in the fact that many characters in
television series today consistently and regularly smoke
less and "buckle up for safety" more. The influence of
modelling these behaviors has had a powerful and positive
effect on the lives of millions of Americans. Now it seems
to make good sense to explore how an even more life en-
hancing activity (i.e. reading) can be seen on TV as what
people do in regular, consistent ways. The enduring impact
will be one we can be especially proud of for many years to
come.
I believe the television and film community has a vested
interest and vital stake in showing how the experiences of
reading enrich the individual and invigorate all our lives.
STEERING COMMITTEE
As Steven Spielberg urged us at the 1987 Academy Awards, we
JEBRY LEIDER
Chairman
have the extraordinary opportunity to enable people to
reclaim and renew their romance with the word.
CHARLES II: FRIES
1000 GIMBEL
LEONARD STERN
I know we have the creative talents to meet this special
Concharnen
challenge of helping build a more literate America. Our
MAN D. col TOTNEY
ability to communicate the positive experiences of reading
Transurer
through character actions and interactions can make a big
DAVID LEVY
difference for generations to come. I welcome learning
Supplity
about what you believe can be achieved.
HARRY ACKERMAN
PHILIP VRIIT
Sincerely,
SAM DENOFF
GAIL 473-3430
GEORGE ECKSTEIN
LEONARD IIII.
GERALD ISEMBERG
NORMA LEAR
AUNN MANTGEY
MARIAN INCES
Jerry Chairman Leider /GAOSTed by Paulkiley
HARRY SHERMAN
LARRY WHITE
Litendey campaign
Nord
Bontevare
IS H19 LIBRARY STATE 21:00 06. ET MARK
2'd
THE
SUN
NATO, Now More Than Ever
JANUARY 10, 1990
By Jeffrey Record
R
ECENT EVENTS in Eastern Europe
threat to Western Europe.
state. NATO also serves as an important politi-
portend a major contraction in U.S. and
On the other hand, It is worth recalling that
cal communications channel for the coordina-
Soviet military power in Europe and the
nothing in the NATO treaty has ever obliged
tion of Western foreign and defense policies
possible dissolution of NATO as a predomi-
the United States to station a single soldier,
and for the suppression of potentially violent
nantly military alliance. Ten years from now,
sailor or airman in Europe. The essence of the
disputes among member states (for example,
the Europe we have known for 40 years -
1949 treaty was a political commitment by the
Greece and Turkey).
politically divided, heavily armed and econom-
United States to come to Europe's defense if
NATO has also become a major vehicle for
ically bifurcated - could be unrecognizable.
attacked, leaving any particulars about mili-
promoting arms-control enterprises with the
The United States and the Soviet Union
tary presence unspecified. The U.S. military
Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies.
have already begun unilaterally withdrawing
presence was established in the wake of the
Indeed, in the 1990s and beyond NATO is
troops from Germany. And additional with-
Korean War, which President Truman and
likely to prove as indispensable a mechanism
drawals on a much larger scale is the declared
many of his advisers initially suspected was a
for obtaining a negotiated demilitarization of
aim of the Conventional Forces in Europe ne-
diversionary prelude to a Soviet invasion of
the Cold War in Europe as It was in orches-
gotiations going on in Vienna. Proposals call
Europe.
trating the expansion of Western military
for reducing NATO and Warsaw Pact forces to
Thus the first year of NATO's existence
power in the 1950s and 1960s.
about 85 percent of the current NATO pres-
offers a useful precedent for a possible U.S.
Perhaps most important, NATO serves as a
ence.
allegiance to the collective defense obligations
powerful barrier to an American political with-
But reductions are not likely to stop there.
of the treaty but without continued significant
drawal from Europe. With or without a signifi-
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev seems in
forward deployment of U.S. military forces in
cant U.S. military presence, a continued
a hurry to gut, or perhaps even eliminate, the
Europe.
American commitment to Europe's defense
costly garrison on his side of the inter-German
Abandonment of all but a token U.S. mili-
precludes a return to the kind of dangerous
border: and with the receding Soviet threat,
tary presence in Europe would, of course, sig-
isolationism that encouraged aggression in
Congress, phobic over the budget deficit. is
nificantly weaken NATO's ability to conduct a
Europe and led to two world wars in 1914 and
increasingly coming to see an opportunity to
successful forward defense of Germany. But
1939.
raid the U.S. defense budget, at least half of
the presumption is that removal of Soviet
It is significant that, on the very eve of what
which is still allocated to Europe's defense.
forces from Eastern Europe and a reduction its
appears to be an almost certain dismantling of
Even the conventional-forces talks might be
forces deployed in the U.S.S.R.'s western mill-
the primary components of the Cold War in
pre-empted by another dramatic political in-
tary districts would remove any serious threat
Europe, no government or responsible opposi-
tervention by Mr. Gorbachev. Andrew J.
to NATO's forward defenses.
tion party within NATO has concluded that
Goodpaster. former supreme commander of
It is thus highly likely that NATO will sur-
the alliance is no longer needed. On the con-
NATO. has called for mutual East-West cuts of
vive to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1999,
trary, the mood seems to be: NATO, now more
50 percent below current NATO strength.
though It will almost certainly be an alliance
than ever. The alliance is a tried and true
Does all this mean that NATO will soon be
far less devoted to fulfilling its original military
security blanket. It has underwritten an era of
consigned to the ashcan of history? Not neces-
purpose. However, NATO has always served
peace unparalleled on a continent that for cen-
sarily. The military content of the alliance,
as more than a provider of military power. It
turies before 1945 was a cockpit of war.
highlighted by a robust U.S. troop presence in
supplies the indispensable link between Eu-
Mr. Record, a fellow at the Hudson Insti-
Europe, is likely to diminish appreciably: after
rope's security and the U.S. strategic nuclear
tute, comments on military affairs for The
all, NATO's creation was prompted by percep-
deterrent, a function that will persist as long
Sun.
tions of a powerful and ever-growing Soviet
as the Soviet Union remains a nuclear-armed
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
November 27, 1989
Computers Are Freedom's Network
and benefit from this sentiment.
of IBM PC/AT-type computers, and low-
scale computer buying, and govern-
First, socialists are disenchanted with
er-level versions of the IBM PS/2 and the
ments facing shortages on every front
By Gary L. Geipel
the joint R&D and computer trade that
Apple Macintosh.
find that they have insufficient resources
exist in their own Council for Mutual
An enthusiastic computer culture ex-
to close the computer gap. While joint
Economic Assistance. CMEA still Lacks
ists in Eastern Europe. At last spring's
ventures remain an alternative, Western
MONG the enemies of socialism,
A
good scientific communication, currency
Leipzig trade fair, the crush of young
firms question the permanence of re-
computing once ranked high. In
convertibility, and effective supply con-
East German programmers at the booths
forms and the financial viability of oper-
1953, a philosophical journal in
tracts. Soviet-bloc computer shortages
of US computer firms led one exhibitor
ating in countries where it is difficult to
Stalinist Russia described cybernetics, the
will not ease in the foreseeable future,
to sigh, "You'd think we were giving out
take profits in hard currency.
mathematical analysis on which much of
and Eastern Europe looks westward.
bread for the world here." Middlemen in
Those are short-term concerns. If
computer-science theory is based, as
Most socialist countries have amended
Poland, Hungary, and the Soviet Union
anything guarantees Eastern Europe's
"one of those pseudosciences which are
their laws to ease Western participation
earn large profits brokering Western mi-
economic reforms, it is the perception
generated by contemporary imperialism
in joint ventures. Although the socialist
crocomputers for their state-enterprise
that those trends are essential to social-
and are doomed to failure even before
countries have managed to train com-
clients. And Czechoslovakian, Hungari-
ism's technological development. By ex-
the downfall of imperialism."
puter scientists and programmers, these
an, Polish, and Soviet authorities are ea-
ploring the Soviet bloc's untapped mar-
The power of computers to influence
people flock to lucrative jobs in Austria
ger to bring computer education into
ket for information technology, Western
decisionmaking was seen as a threat to
or West Germany. East European auth-
their schools. Data services are also in de-
manufacturers can get in on the ground
Marxism-Leninism. Even when fears
orities hope that joint ventures on their
mand as a means of plugging into global
floor of that market and help seed the fu-
subsided, poor management and bar-
soil will help stem this tide. It is now pos-
economic and scientific developments.
ture spread of free enterprise and
riers to innovation left the USSR and its
sible for foreign firms to own 100 percent
Last month in Moscow several hundred
democracy. It is no coincidence that the
East European allies lagging behind the
of a subsidiary operating in Czechoslo-
Western database vendors and potential
most dynamic, market-oriented firms in
West in the development of advanced
vakia, Hungary, or Poland.
Soviet and East European clients gath-
Eastern Europe are also the most com-
electronics. While the US boasts more
Tax laws have been changed to allow
ered for the first time in what organizers
puterized. PCs once assisted Poland's
than 150 personal computers per thou-
greater repatriation of profits to the
called a "deal-making session."
Solidarity trade union to publish under-
sand citizens, the USSR has yet to deploy
West. In Hungary these laws are particu-
Soviet-bloc use of data services will re-
ground newspapers. Now Solidarity -
one PC per thousand.
larly generous to computer firms. Hun-
main limited for some time by three fac-
and the PC - are above ground. The
The realization among socialist lead-
gary also promises to enforce copyright
tors: Their cost is high, the bloc has a
computer is both a beneficiary and a
ers that their policies failed to create dy-
laws, the flouting of which has deterred
poor infrastructure for data communica-
driving force behind perestroika and glas-
namic, high-tech-driven economies ex-
Western software vendors.
tions, and Western strategic concerns re-
nost throughout Eastern Europe.
plains the wave of reform and
Western restrictions on the export of
garding East-bloc access to sensitive in-
free-market experimentation through-
sensitive technology are becoming less
formation are far from resolved.
Gary L. Geipel is a Research Fellow in
out the Soviet bloc. Information technol-
severe - the result of reduced US-Soviet
Similar issues dampen the enthusiasm
ogy is now seen as socialism's savior
tensions and pressure from business and
Hudson Institute's Center for Soviet and
of Western manufacturers. Socialist en-
rather than its adversary. Several factors
academia. This year, the US government
terprises do not have access to the West-
Central European Studies.
may allow Western business to encourage
has approved the sale to the Soviet bloc
ern hard currency required for large-
GEORGIE ANNE GEYER
The information transformation
EAST BERLIN
T
he Berlin Wall still stands,
SKLE
the ugliest scar on the body
of Europe. It remains end-
lessly enraging, nasty and
crude. It makes travelers lose valu-
able hours to pay for its senseless-
ness. It is also, today, irrelevant.
HONEY,
In days of old, societies were de-
I'VE DECIDED
stroyed by war and rebuilt by the
conquerors. Today, the societies of
TO LET YOU
Eastern Europe are being trans-
COME BACK,
formed by information. And as the
shock of the upheaval of the last
NO QUESTIONS
month here in East Germany shows,
ASKED...
DID
YOU
trying to keep information out by a
wall is much like trying to stop the
HEAR ME? I
migration of birds.
FORGIVE YOU...
Symbolically, the first thing new
communist leader Egon Krenz did
HONEY?...
was free the press and television.
Before that, East Germans cynically
joked that they did not really want to
flee to West Germany; they wanted
to flee to the country displayed in
Neues Deutschland. Neues Deutsch-
land is the East German communist
paper.
But the unreal communist press
and television also gradually be-
came irrelevant because East Ger-
many, with the same channel speci-
fications as West Germany, has for
years received West German televi-
REFUGEES
sion. The tactics of protest became
curious indeed. Someone wanting to
make a point on the east side of the
wall simply gave an interview to
West German television, knowing it
THE
would be played back that same
WEST
night.
"You can't possibly overestimate
the importance of West German
television here," one Western diplo-
mat told me. "It has been the most
important way people here knew
about the world. Every night they
tuned into a whole new world." So
It means that walls
television, the newspapers and the
when the chance came this fall, tens
transforming the East Bloc - Voice
and national borders
radio that Lenin saw in importance
of thousands of East Germans just
of America, Radio Free Europe, Ra-
as a "newspaper without bound-
got up and fled to that world they had
dio Liberty - are little understood
are no longer
aries" were transformed. The cover-
so long tuned in to.
as the leading protagonists in this
age and stories, most definitely in-
It was the great German sociolo-
new era. American foreign policy
inviolate. It means
cluding demonstrations here and
gist Max Weber who first defined in
students I speak to little understand,
even East Germans fleeing to the
his writings on the "charismatic
that we do not have
and indeed often scoff at, such "in-
West, match those in West Germany,
leader" how that all-powerful leader
visible" long-term policy tools. Yet it
(Hitler, Mussolini, Castro) had above
to wait for historians
giving rise to complaints on the
is these tools that have truly trans-
other side of the witless wall that
all to control information for his peo-
formed these societies.
to tell us what
West Germany will lose viewers
ple and "define the boundaries" of
here.
This is shown by the degree to
what they could and should know.
happened to us. All
which people here constantly say
The same holds true for the "charis-
The surreal quality is heightened
that they will no longer be treated by
matic state" (my phrase) in which a
of us are participants
further by the fact that West Berlin,
the regime "like children. They
totalist ideology such as commu-
just over the wall, is rapidly becom-
understand. Free information is the
nism, fascism or the Spanish Inqui-
in the creation of a
ing a classic new "information soci-
compliment that free citizens pay
sition needs to cut its true believers
one another.
new world.
ety." It is a city in transition from an
off from any other distracting
old industrial society to a city of the
So before our eyes we see this new
"truths."
future: a "knowledge factory" han-
world getting out of bed, shaking it-
So the most breathtaking hint that
dling the new knowledge technol-
self and turning on the radio. It
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev
up information, particularly in a
ogies rather than the old industrial
means that walls and national bor-
truly meant to change Russia and
land such as Russia, which histor-
goods. That is only one more re-
ders and national states are no
the East came when he began to free
ically has been so maniacally afraid
minder to the East Germans of how
lenger inviolate anywhere. It also
of the threatening outside. Mr. Gor-
far behind their leaders have so
means that, for the first time in his-
bachev's figurative "Let my people
stubbornly kept them.
tory, we do not have to wait for later
know" is a modern equivalent of
historians to tell us what happened
Georgie Anne Geyer is a nation-
Ironically, the very vehicles of in-
"Let there be light."
to us. Today, not only the East Ger-
ally syndicated columnist.
formation that have played such a
So, overnight in East Berlin, the
mans but all of us are participants in
crucial rule in opening up and the
the creation of a new world.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1989
The Washington Times
SECTION F
CLASSIFIED
COMMENTARY
EDITORIALS
PAGE F5
PAGE F2
WARREN BROOKES
WHERE IS THE
CREDIT DUE?
ast Thursday's extraordinary
As Mr. Reagan reminded the Mos-
cow students, "The fact is, bu-
L
events had U.S. pundits
and pols rushing to as-
No walls on the economy in mind
reaucracies are a problem around
the world." But the whole thrust of
cribe or even take
the information revolution is to de-
credit for breaching
the Iron Curtain's most
President Ronald Reagan de-
nel through solid silicon to create the
survive in the new information age,
ments everywhere, from London to
centralize power away from both
visible symbol, the Berlin Wall.
scribed this "information rev-
myriad networks of switches and
an age never envisioned by Karl
Lusaka, from Bonn to the Washing-
government and corporate bu-
Yet the real credit belongs to a
olution" to the raptistudents at Mos-
transistors buried deep within the
Marx or John Maynard Keynes and
ton Beltway.
reaucracies back to the individual.
great many largely uncelebrated
cow University in his prophetic and
microchip. Today, these designers
least of all by the dirigiste planners
Nowhere are those tremors felt
Small wonder the statists of the
pioneers of science and information
historic May 31, 1988, address:
make hardware out of software.
and interventionists of the Western
more than in Brussels, where the
American left are inveighing against
technology, from Max Planck to
"Standing here before a mural of
In a few years, these little mind-
left.
burgeoning European Community
"chronic entrepreneurialism!"
Carver Mead, John Van Neumann
your revolution, I want to talk about
expanding, wealth-creating chips
As Mr. Reagan told the Moscow
bureaucracy of would-be super-
But they are bucking an irresist-
and the late Richard Feynman, who
a very different revolution that is
have converted information into
students, "Like a chrysalis, we're
statists have been fairly rubbing
ible tide. Those East Germans flee-
opened up the microcosmic world of
taking place right now, quietly
capital and have transformed old-
emerging from the economy of the
their hands with glee over the new
ing across two and three borders to
quantum physics, using it to enter
sweeping the globe without blood-
fashioned capital back into informa-
industrial revolution an economy
powers being ceded to them by SOV-
freedom were carrying with them
the almost unlimited realm of the
shed or conflict."
tion that can move with lightning
confined to and limited by the
ereign governments.
the only capital and power they will
microchip, with its geometric leaps
speed around the globe, making both
Earth's physical resources - into
ut now, the potential of a re-
ever really need, their own individ-
in lap-top computing capacity.
ith incredible presci-
physical and mercantilist walls,
the economy of mind, an era in
As a result, George Gilder ex-
W
ence, he predicted, "Its
rules and borders obsolete.
which there are no bounds on human
B
unified Germany, coupled
ual minds, souls, skills, energies,
plains in his book "Microcosm,"
effects are peaceful, but
In less than a decade, microchips
imagination and the freedom to cre-
with the opening up of Po-
dreams.
"The powers of mind are every-
they will fundamentally
have transformed the world market-
ate is the most precious natural re-
land and Hungary and
In the Judeo-Christian West, we
where ascendant over the brute
alter our world, shatter old assump-
place into a perpetual referendum
source."
other Warsaw Pact nations, makes
have always known intuitively that
force of things. This change is the
tions and reshape our lives
as
its
on government policies, the most lib.
Small wonder that even Western
the full 1992 unification of the Com-
the real wealth of mankind is
great divide." It marks the end of the
erating yet unifying force ever un-
mon Market under Brussels' social
emblem, one might take the tiny sili-
governments, including our own,
spiritual. That intuition is now be-
leviathan superstate by putting the
con chip - no bigger than a finger-
leashed, with the capacity to over-
have viewed the events in Berlin
and economic regulations less and
coming tangible reality. We no
whelm anti-market, anti-freedom
with somewhat less than euphoria.
less sure.
information resources of the world
print."
longer live as helpless pawns in a
within easy reach of the individual
In a sense, the breaching of the
systems.
The shattering of totalitarianism in
After all, if the technological rev-
giant macroeconomy. The micro-
mind.
Berlin Wall by the pure idea of lib-
That is why glasnost was not
Eastern Europe does more than alter
olution is turning the world into one
economy now lives within each of us.
erty is an outward symbol of the way
merely an option for Soviet Presi-
the entire economic and strategic
common market in mind, why
Soon, the only walls left will be those
in which elusive and unseen elec-
dent Mikhail Gorbachev but a neces-
structures of the West. It portends
should we trade one central bu-
we have created for ourselves and
Warren T. Brookes is a nationally
trons - acting as agents of thought
sity. Totalitarian nations built on ar-
the slower but no less certain death
reaucracy for another, more remote
which we alone have enough power
syndicated economics columnist.
are now used by designers to tun-
chaic structures and walls cannot
of central bureaucratized govern-
from individual control?
to dismantle.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1989
The Washington Times
CLASSIFIED
STARTS ON PAGE F5
COMMENTARY
ERNEST LEFEVER
Not by
MICROCHIPS
alone
Technology is apolitical
entious democratic leaders are to
A gainst the backdrop of the
unfolding political
serve their people:
dramas in China, the
The big truth is that communica-
Soviet Union and Po-
land, Ronald Reagan
tions technology all technology, in
fact-ispolitically and morally neu-
declared in a recent
tral: Microchips and lasers are not
London speech that, "the Goliath of
actors in the drama of history. They
totalitarian control will rapidly be
brought down by the David of the
possess no will or purpose of their
microchip."
own. They are influential, but only
when they are harnessed to human
He added: "The communications
volition, loyalties and determination
revolution will be the greatest force
for the advancement of freedom in
Hitler, Stalin and Mao Tse-tung-
the world" because "electronic
the greatest perpetrators of mass
beams blow through the Iron Cur-
brutality of our modern
tain as if it were lace."
communications effectively to gain,
In a similar vein, Johns Hopkins
consolidate and extend their power.
president Steven Miller said that
Under them technology was a slave
"society is being transformed by the
to tyranny.
information age" and that "totalitar-
The resurgent confidence that
ian Marxist-
fast and vivid
Leninist states
communication
simply cannot
Communications
devices are re-
survive in an in-
demptive is yet
formation soci-
technology is morally
another version of
ety."
neutral. The
the dogged insis-
Both men were
tence that science
referring to So-
viet President Mi-
confidence that fast
can save us from
ourselves. This in-
khail Gorbachev's
and vivid
sistence reached
promotion of
an absurd apogee
glasnost within
communication
in an American
the Soviet Union
devices are redemptive
Airlines ad in the
and its spread to
New Yorker in
Eastern Europe,
is yet another version
1944: "The well-
but each came
being of people
FOOLED.
dangerously close
of the insistence that
has always ad-
to asserting that
vanced
science can save us
as
modern commu-
communications
nications technol-
ogy will necessar-
from ourselves.
became. quicker
and easier. The
ily lead to greater
long search for
political freedom.
the solution cul-
The notion that
minates in the
microchips, lasers, fax machines
transport plane; the airborne are the
and communications satellites are
reborn!"
on the side of freedom, justice and
Galloping technology, as Profes-
respect for human dignity is a "per-
sor Daniel J. Boorstin has demon-
niciousabstraction,' to use Abraham
strated, has had a great impact on all
Lincoln's vivid characterization of
aspects of society, but its effects on
high-flown theories not sustained by
the quality of life is determined by
facts.
the political and economic systems
that control it.
Mustration by Alexander Washington Times
Likewise, the transmission of
words and pictures does not auto-
matically favor the totalitarians,
ike microchips, weapons of war
Technology has lengthened man's
All peoples long for justice, free-
tween tyranny and freedom. We
though at times one is tempted to
are also morally neutral.
reach, but it has not altered the age-
dom, peace. But throughout history
must learn to use the weapons of
believe that cynical dictators are
Tanks can be used to en-
old struggle between tryanny and
ruthless men have sought and
communication and of war as effec-
more adept at using these devices to
slave or to liberate. Nuclear
freedom. Politics is human nature
achieved dominion over other men.
tively as our adversaries if freedom
manipulate the masses than consci-
arms can be deployed to threaten or
writ large. The quantum leap be-
They built systems of power that
is to have a fighting chance.
to counter a threat. Space technol-
tween TNT and the hydrogen bomb
suppressed the basic rights of the
ogy can be used to launch a nuclear
cannot be matched by a quantum
people who lived under them. These
attack or to deter such an attack.
leap in political behavior because
P
ernicious notions asserting
tyrants have not hesitated to use all
that technology is on our
Ernest Lefever is the senior fellow
The very television images from
man, not matter or nature, is the raw
the devices that science has wrested
side serve only to cut the
in applied ethics at the Ethics and
Tiananmen Square that outraged
"from nature.
taproot of our greatest
stuff of politics. Though human na-
Public Policy Center and co-editor of
the world were used by Chinese
strength - the conviction that all
ture is not capable of drastic recon-
"Perestroika: How New is Gorba-
Contemporary tyrants come from
communist leaders to track down
men "are endowed by their Creator
struction, human aspirations and
the same mold. We of the West who
chev's New Thinking?" published by
and execute "counterrevolutionary"
with certain unalienable Rights."
commitments alone give politics its
the center.
respect human dignity cannot es-
This belief, combined with the will
students.
meaning.
cape the protracted struggle be-
to honor it, is our only hope.
don't feel any resistance, just incompe-
workplace and considers himself a pragma-
tence." President Wojciech Jaruzelski, the
and free-market exchange rate for the Pol-
tist: "Demagoguery is easy when you aren't
general who outlawed Solidarity in 1981,
ish zloty has dropped dramatically against
doing anything. But once you're involved,
"realizes that his place in history depends
the dollar, from 10 to 1 in September to
you see all the problems."
on [the success of] reforms," said Solidarity
almost 2 to 1 last week, making the govern-
The problems are staggering. Housing
leader Sen. Bronislaw Geremek.
ment's goal of achieving a convertible cur-
Minister Aleksander Paszynski echoed a
rency next year look within reach. And
With the Communists fading from the
sentiment I heard in every government
picture, Solidarity and other former oppo-
while prices are steep, butcher shops have
office. "I did not imagine that the economic
begun to fill up with meat.
sition groups are showing internal strains.
situation is so bad, to what extent the sys-
Within Solidarity, the split is particularly
Nonetheless, any attempt to transform a
tem destroyed all normal economic rules,"
acute between its urban and rural constitu-
state economy is risky. "It's a bit like
he said. "We have to rebuild everything."
encies. "This is an argument between
diving into the water without knowing how
He himself must deal with a massive short-
socialism and liberalism," said Rural Soli-
deep it is," says University of Maryland
fall of apartments; creating a genuine real-
economist Bartlomiej Kaminski, who re-
darity spokesman Jacek Szymanderski;
estate market will require new laws. The
cently returned to Warsaw for his first visit
the peasants want free-market solutions
Finance Ministry's Lis faces the same ob-
since emigrating in 1980. On a trip to his
while city dwellers are reluctant to go
stacles in his bid to privatize an economy
constituency in the town of Wyszogrod,
that route. Solidarity's base in heavy in-
dominated by antediluvian state firms.
Sen. Andrzej Celinski was peppered with
dustry makes it awkward to enact reforms
Emotional appeal: But Solidarity's determi-
questions about inflation, shortages and
that would lead to layoffs there. Mean-
nation to push for a radical overhaul of the
the nomenklatura's attempts to "priva-
while, Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the Polish
economy is no longer in doubt. This has
tize" state property by seizing it for them-
primate, has endorsed a Christian Demo-
spurred Western governments to start de-
selves. "Please, people, give us a little
cratic movement; Solidarity social demo-
livering on promises of economic aid. After
time," the Solidarity sociologist pleaded.
crats denounce this as reactionary.
Walesa delivered an emotional appeal to a
"If
we
do
not
succeed
The movement does contain activists
everyone
will
be
joint session of Congress last week for "an
able to say we missed our chance."
who can bridge the gap. "This is not the
investment in freedom," Congress ap-
There are bound to be setbacks and an-
time to break apart into small groups," said
proved an aid package for Poland and Hun-
gry debates about tactics. But I found Poles
Sen. Zofia Kuratowska, Solidarity's deputy
gary of $938 million-double the Bush ad-
eager to seize the opportunity they created
parliamentary leader. Zbigniew Janas, a
ministration's request. Visiting Poland,
by years of resistance. "The communist
former worker and Solidarity leader at the
West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl
system has practically disappeared, al-
Ursus tractor factory near Warsaw, now
topped that with a $2.2 billion package.
though we still have to deal with its rem-
represents the district where the plant is
Poland's new economic strategy is al-
nants," said Janas. That is no small task,
located. He hopes to organize joint ven-
ready producing small but encouraging re-
but Poland's new rulers are beginning to
tures to privatize sections of his former
sults. The disparity between the official
think that they just might pull it off.
The Wit and Wisdom of Lech Walesa
come to Poland. It's one place
you can afford to live.
During his first visit to the
ist: he has to launch a pub-
of concrete work, I must tell
To the National Press Club:
United States last week, Soli-
licity campaign for private
you that the supply of words
[The issue of German reunifi-
darity leader Lech Walesa
entrepreneurship.
on the world market is plenti-
cation] is a bomb. We paid a
appealed for U.S. aid and
ful but the demand is falling.
heavy price for the existence
American investment to help
To the U.S. Congress (public ses-
Let deeds follow words now.
of Hitler. I do not need to
transform Poland's socialist
sion): We have heard many
say how heavy There was
system into a market economy.
beautiful words of encourage-
To the Congress (private ses-
a second nation on Polish
At a series of meetings in
ment. These are appreciated,
sion): the congressional pay-
soil, the Jewish nation, and it
Washington, New York and
but being a worker and a man
raise bill] doesn't go through,
disappeared
We should
Chicago, he pleaded his coun-
leave the political situation
try's case with both force and
as it is now.
humor. Examples:
To Newsweek and Washington
To the AFL-CIO: Sometimes
Post editors: How did these re-
I feel we are swimming
forms appear? That's a result
chained hand and foot, trying
of civilization-of computers,
to summon all our energy
satellite TV [and other inno-
just to make it safely to
vations] which present alter-
shore, and on the shore there
native solutions. Satellites
is a cheering crowd of people
can read religious books from
who offer us their admiration
thousands of miles in space. Is
instead of simply throwing a
it possible for a new Stalin to
life belt I know that in-
appear today who could mur-
vesting money in Poland re-
der people? It's impossible.
quires a bit of courageous
[Mikhail Gorbachev and П
thinking or maybe even a bit
just happen to be people in the
of imagination
Such is the
ROBERT TRIPPETT-SIPA
right time, in the right
fate of a Polish trade union-
'Deeds now': With Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher
situation.
NEWSWEEK NOVEMBER2 35
WHITE HOUSE LIBRARY
AND
RESEARCH CENTER
Room 308
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TO:
Austen Furse
ROOM
DATE 8-30-89
To Keep
To Borrow Due Date
Per Your Request
FYI
Message:
From:
Sandra
?t /2/1-2
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02049110
FOR FULL RECORD USE FORMAT 9
SPEECH AND Q&A BY THE HONORABLE GEORGE P. SHULTZ, SECRETARY OF STATE,
BEFORE THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 4, 1987,
MADISON HOTEL, WASHINGTON, D.C.
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: SHULTZ, GEORGE; MARKS, LEONARD
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLICATION DATE: 871207
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PRESS RELEASE; NO.231
APPROX. LINES: 735 APPROX. WORDS: 9,288
5/2/2
00973678
FOR FULL RECORD USE FORMAT 9
Speech and Q & A Session, The Honorable George P. Shultz, Secretary of
State, Before American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC),
Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., May 17 1987.
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P.
United States Department of State
Department of State Press Release 109
APPROX. LINES: 533 APPROX. WORDS: 6,736
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00905510
FOR FULL RECORD USE FORMAT 9
THE SHAPE, SCOPE, AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE AGE OF INFORMATION ADDRESS BY
THE HONORABLE GEORGE P. SHULTZ SECRETARY OF STATE BEFORE THE STANFORD
UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Paris,
France March 21, 1986
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P.
United States Department of State
PUBLICATION DATE: 860321
Department of State Press Release: No. 53
APPROX. LINES: 403 APPROX. WORDS: 5,088
5/2/4
00904374
FOR FULL RECORD USE FORMAT 9
The New International Era: An American Perspective
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P.; Young, Phyllis A., Editor
United States Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of
Public Communication, Editorial Division
PUBLICATION DATE: 851200
Current Policy; No. 771
APPROX. LINES: 442 APPROX. WORDS: 5,593
who age (m for write was also whom fue shall sume They Shattor the tyric hulty are cites
speeches,
?t /k/4
5/K/4
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P
more they are likely to fall behind in this movement from the
industrial to the information age ; but the more they permit these new
technologies, the more they risk their monopoly of
?t //1-3
5/K/1
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: SHULTZ, GEORGE
economies are in danger of becoming marginal participants in,
let's called (sic) it the Information Age economy, living in eras in
the past. Some lack the human and physical infrastructure to strengthen
regional cooperative efforts everywhere in meeting the common challenges we
will face in the Information Age
What I have sketched out here is a picture of immense dynamism: of the
creative...
5/K/2
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P.
and freedom, on knowledge, on information that's widely shared and
moves around, a senuine information age knowledge age. So here are
some of the things that I think we have learned...
5/K/3
AUTHOR/SPEAKER: Shultz, George P.
both its particulars and its broad outlines.
Dimensions of the New Age
What is the Information Age ? The answers to that question are as
numerous as the age itself is pervasive. There, While the industrial age
found its proper symbol in the factory, the symbol of the Information
Age misht be the computer, which can hold all the information contained
in the Library of Rose Garden can be reflected two minutes later in the
stock market in Singapore. The information age is bringing new
conception of economic efficiency not just to entrepreneurs, and not just
.communication to create a global forum for their brutal acts.
The social dimension of the Information Age may seem more
intangible, but it is equally profound. More than 6 million American homes
Valley is only one symbol of our dedication to risk and reward. To US,
the Information Age represents a new avenue to economic growth, an
opportunity to do what ure do best ideas, and personal services.
Free Trade: The Challenge to the Free World
Success in the Information Age depends on more than our own
innovation and entrepreneurship. The new age also presents US that the
age of information has raised anew for all of US.
Fundamental Freedoms
The Information Ase poses profound political challenges to nations
everywhere. as any economist knows or for that matter fear that they
will be unable to compete with the research, development, and marketing of
Information Age technologies. Here, too, they are right to be worried.
The incentive to improve information technology... Our overall purpose
remains the same: to maximize the development of and trade in these
information ase products and services, especially those that increase
the free flow of data and ideas, To do otherwise would betray the vast
promise that the Information Age holds out to US.
That betrayal would be a great misfortune for the free world...
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
1
LEVEL 1 - - 1 OF 1 STORY
Copyright (c) 1987 The Washington Post
December 30, 1987, Wednesday, Final Edition
SECTION: EDITORIAL; PAGE A23
LENGTH: 1333 words
HEADLINE: A Time of Transformation;
And of some fruits insufficiently forbidden.
BYLINE: George P. Shultz
BODY:
... Other nations - single-commodity countries and agricultural and
industrial subsistence economies -- are in danger of becoming marqinal
participants in the " Information Age." economy, living as in eras past. Some
lack the human and physical infrastructure to create and exploit economic
opportunities. Others are ...
LEXIS® ® NEXIS® ® LEXIS® NEXIS
Reagan's
advanced reaches of science,
we're returning to the age-old
wisdom of our culture, a wisdom
forecast WT 11/16/89
contained in the book of Genesis
in the Bible: In the beginning was
the spirit, and it was from this
spirit that the material abun-
What President Ronald Rea-
dance of creation issued forth.
gan told students at the Univer-
But progress is not foreor-
sity of Moscow in May 1988 has
dained. The key is freedom
proved remarkably prophetic in
freedom of thought, freedom of
light of events now taking place.
information, freedom of commu-
Excerpts are reprinted here:
nication. The renowned scientist,
scholar and founding father of
tanding here before a mu-
this university, Mikhail Lomono-
S
ral of your revolution, I
SOV, knew that. "It is common
want to talk about a very
knowledge," he said, that the
different revolution that
achievements of science are con-
is taking place right now, quietly
siderable and rapid, particularly
sweeping the globe, without
once the yoke of slavery is cast off
bloodshed or conflict. Its effects
and replaced by the freedom of
are peaceful, but they will funda-
philosophy."
mentally alter our world, shatter
We are seeing the power of eco-
old assumptions and reshape our
nomic freedom spreading around
lives.
the world - places such as the
It's easy to underestimate, be-
Republic of Korea, Singapore
cause it's not accompanied by
and Taiwan have vaulted into the
banners or fanfare. It has been
technological era, barely pausing
called the technological or infor-
in the industrial age along the
mation revolution, and
way. Low-tax agricul-
as its emblem, one
tural policies in the sub-
might take the tiny sili-
continent mean that in
con chip - no bigger
some years India is now
than a fingerprint. One
a net exporter of food.
of these chips has more
Freedom is the right
computing power than a
to question, and change
roomful of old-style
the established way of
computers.
doing things. It is the
Like a chrysalis,
continuing revolution of
we're emerging from
the marketplace. It is
the economy of the In-
the understanding that
dustrial Revolution - an econ-
allows us to recognize shortcom-
omy confined to and limited by
ings and seek solutions. It is the
the Earth's physical resources -
right to put forth an idea, scoffed
into, as one economist titled his
at by experts, and watch it catch
book, "The Economy in Mind,"
fire among the people. It is the
[Warren Brookes, published by
right to follow your dream, or
the Manhattan Institute, 1982] an
stick to your conscience, even if
era in which there are no bounds
you're the only one in a sea of
on human imagination and the
doubters.
freedom to create is the most
precious natural resource.
Freedom is the recognition
In the new economy, human in-
that no single person, no single
vention increasingly makes phys-
authority or government has a
ical resources obsolete. We're
monopoly on the truth, but that
breaking through the material
every individual life is infinitely
conditions of existence to a world
precious, that every one of us put
where man creates his own des-
tiny. Even as we explore the most
see REAGAN, page F4
REAGAN
and noble culture of the Uzbek man
cudgel, but an inward music - the
lin Wall. It's time to remove the bar-
of letters, Alisher Navoi, about
irresistible power of unarmed
riers that keep people apart.
From page F1
beauty and heart.
truth."
I have often said, nations do not
on this earth has been put here for a
The great culture of your diverse
The irresistible power of un-
distrust each other because they are
reason and has something to offer.
land speaks with a glowing passion
armed truth. Today the world looks
armed; they are armed because they
to all humanity. Let me cite one of the
expectantly to signs of change, steps
distrust each other. If this globe is to
Democracy is less a system of
government than it is a system to
most eloquent contemporary pas-
toward greater freedom in the So-
live in peace and prosper, if it is to
keep government limited, unin-
sages on human freedom. It comes,
viet Union.
That is the future
embrace all the possibilities of the
trusive: A system of constraints on
not from the literature of America,
beckoning to your generation. At the
technological revolution, then na-
but from this country, from one of
same time, we should remember
tions must renounce, once and for
1
power to keep politics and govern-
the greatest writers of the 20th cen-
that reform that is not institutional-
all, the right to an expansionist for-
ment secondary to the important
things in life, the true sources of
tury, Boris Pasternak, in the novel
ized will always be insecure. Such
eign policy. Peace between nations
"Dr. Zhivago." He writes, "I think
freedom will always be looking over
must be an enduring goal - not a
e
value found only in family and faith.
that if the beast who sleeps in man
its shoulder. A bird on a tether, no
tactical stage in a continuing con-
But I hope you know I go on about
could be held down by threats - any
matter how long the rope, can always
flict.
?
these things not simply to extol the
kind of threat, whether of jail or of
be pulled back. And that is why, in
Your generation is living in one of
n
virtues of my own country, but to
retribution after death - then the
my conversation with General Sec-
the most exciting, hopeful times in
f
speak to the true greatness of the
highest emblem of humanity would
retary [Mikhail] Gorbachev, I have
Soviet history. It is a time when the
d
heart and soul of your land. Who,
be the lion tamer in the circus with
spoken of how important it is to insti-
first breath of freedom stirs the air
i-
after all, needs to tell the land of
his whip, not the prophet who sacri-
tutionalize change - to put guaran-
and the heart beats to the acceler-
t
Dostoevsky about the quest for
ficed himself. But this is just the
tees on reform. And we have been
ated rhythm of hope, when the accu-
truth, the home of Kandinsky and
point - what has for centuries
talking together about one sad re-
mulated spiritual energies of a long
Scriabin about imagination, the rich
raised man above the beast is not the
minder of a divided world, the Ber-
silence yearn to break free.
Technology and the Revolt Against Centralization
By George Roche
T
he rapid movement of events over the
including here in the United States -
As it has accelerated the loss of patience
past few months leaves us all breath-
and a critical factor in its development is
with Kremlin rantings about the ultimate
less. Solidarity's accession to power in
technology. Through low-cost computers,
triumphs of "the masses," technology has
Poland, the opening of the Berlin Wall, the
sophisticated telecommunications, even
also contributed to a rejection of many
growing movement for freedom and reform
copying machines, the technological revolu-
Washington/Beltway schemes and promises.
in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the
tion of the past two decades has provided
This is encouraging to people who value
Soviet Baltic republics even in the
individual entrepreneurs, small companies,
freedom. While the struggles of people in the
Ukraine, that venerable "breadbasket of the
schools, advocacy groups and other organi-
East (referred to not so long ago as the "cap-
USSR" represents a tide of human striving
zations with access to sources of information
tured peoples") have been far more agoniz-
virtually unparalleled in history. In China,
and means of instantaneous contact once
ing than anything most Americans have
also, where so recently the blood of young
available only to governments and the very
experienced, we must wage our own resist-
people crying for freedom was spilled, the
largest corporations.
ance to the increasing intrusiveness of "big
aged Deng Xiaoping has resigned the last of
The specter of Big Brother which the early
government."
his official posts. Nothing we would call real
computers evoked has proven to be much
Of course, we cannot be entirely sanguine
freedom should be expected there soon, since
less threatening than was once supposed, for
about the trend which has been set in
Deng will no doubt remain China's guiding
if technology has abetted the totalitarian
motion. Change and diversity, even freedom
spirit for the foreseeable future. But a new
impulse, it has also provided the tools for
itself, can be exploited by the advocates of
generation of leadership is on the rise, and
undermining central authority by helping to
any program or agenda, of any degree of
time seems to be on the side of reform.
disperse power, by increasing the dynamism
individualism or centralization, of any phi-
Our first response is to revel in the vindi-
and complexity of economic life, and by
losophy or moral sense. Technology is value-
cation of freedom and the free market. Marx
vastly speeding up the pace of change. Tech-
neutral. Its application reflects the will
had it wrong, after all. Now the evidence is
nology, quite simply, has facilitated the
behind the human hand employing it. The
clear. But what we are witnessing demands
capacity for choice. And the results of the
technology that brings us inspiring images
broader perspective. This is more than the
choices being made are becoming as clear
of Germans dancing on the Berlin Wall is the
defeat of communism. The events in Europe
here in the United States as in the countries
same that brings us MTV.
and Asia are part of a worldwide revolt
of the once seemingly impenetrable Eastern
We have entered a period that offers great
against centralization. It is a movement not
Bloc. Computers, satellite television, the
promise for liberty and prosperity around the
just for the freedom of nations and peoples,
ubiquitous fax machine and other modern
world. But is is a period whose end remains
but for the diffusion of power within socie-
wonders are changing American domestic
to be seen. The revolt against centralization
ties, for greater individual liberty and
politics, as surely as they have exposed the
will have its price, here as in the communist
increased self-determination.
rot at the center of the communist myth and
world. On balance, it is for the best. At least,
The trend is evident almost everywhere
helped make Lech Walesa a household name.
that is our fervent hope.
IMPRIMIS (im-pri-mes), taking its name from the Latin term "in the first place," is the publication of Hillsdale College. Executive Editor, Ronald L. Trowbridge; Managing Editor, Lissa
Roche; Assistant, Patricia A. DuBois. The opinions expressed in IMPRIMIS may be, but are not necessarily, the views of Hillsdale College and its External Programs division. Copy-
right © 1990. Permission to reprint in whole or part is hereby granted, provided a version of the following credit line is used: "Reprinted by permission from IMPRIMIS the monthly
journal of Hillsdale College, featuring presentations at Hillsdale's Center for Constructive Alternatives and at its Shavano Institute for National Leadership." ISSN 0277-8432.
Circulation 250,000 worldwide, established 1972. Complimentary subscriptions available. IMPRIMIS trademark registered in U.S. Patent and Trade Office 1563325.
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Andrei Sakharou:
"I an convinced, that
international confidence, mutual
understanding, disarmanent, and
international sea ty are
incorcervable without an open
society with freedom of
information, freedom of
conscunce, the right to
publish, and the right
to travel and choose the
country in which one lues."
146 Truman 1st POTUS on TV
'55 Elserhood
ColorTV
march-Freedon of Information
EDiTORTASS - bAsed his
month
REMARKS on F.O.I. Month
ACCREDITED (POST-Tena) UOA corres./First sestere/First
China, Hungary USSR not longer peass any
jamming VOA, Radio Liberity, etc.
File
Rue . .
Speech
File
3
Elizabeth
anott
My thanks to John McNeece for his kind introduction. I
am so glad to have been invited to speak.
Being here reminds me of a talk I gave a couple of years
ago before a World Affairs Council meeting in Omaha,
Nebraska. The toastmaster spent a little time talking
about the state of affairs in the USSR and the Eastern
bloc, and then, gesturing towards me, said, "and now
we are going to hear the latest dope from
Washington "
I never figured out if that was premeditated or not.
2
Well, here I am, with the latest dope, from Washington,
the throbbing heart of America's government, the
center of its bureaucratic web.
On that subject, before I get serious, let me tell you my
favorite government story.
One day, a shepherd was standing in a field outside San
Ysidro, with his sheep dog and a huge flock of sheep.
He watched a car go by on I-5, stop, and a nondescript
fellow got out, walked down the embankment and
came over to the shepherd
"Because," said the shepherd, "383 sheep and
you walk off with my goddamned dog!"
As you know, ! work for the federal government
at the Voice of America, the intersection of
diplomacy and journalism, two frankly incompatible
pursuits.
It has been a very busy time at the VOA lately.
What has been occurring in the USSR and Eastern
Europe is nothing short of amazing.
We are reporting on, and the world is witnessing, one of
the most remarkable periods in the twentieth century.
I am tempted to say it is the most remarkable period,
given the nature of what's happening. Dramatic events
-- at least the ones which make headlines -- tend to be
bad news, a crisis or disaster.
Good news is often slow to come into focus, no matter
how large it looms on the horizon.
4
The pace of good news since we first began to hear of
glasnost and perestroika has been simply stunning. And
it has changed not only what we report, but how we
report it as well.
When I arrived at the Voice of America just four years
ago, the Soviets were spending up to a half a billion
dollars a year just to jam our signals to keep their
citizens from hearing the truth.
Now, they not only have stopped jamming VOA, they
have actually complained that our signal isn't strong
enough in some parts of the USSR. People can't hear us
clearly. They, too, want a clear idea of what's going on.
The desire to know more has led VOA to improbable
ventures. We now have an office in Warsaw and a
bureau in Moscow. And in several countries, we are
making arrangements to carry VOA on what such a
5
short time ago was official, state-run Communist
stations.
This shift from adversaries to colleagues has its personal
twists, too. One of our announcers, a Hungarian
journalist who defected to the west several years ago, is
now doing joint broadcasts with her former boss at
Radio Budapest.
Four years ago - indeed one year ago -- if you had
predicted the events that allowed this to happen, no
one would have believed you. One ends up almost
nostalgic about yesterday.
One of the first glimmers of things to come occured in
August, 1988. It was the twentieth anniversary of the
Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia -- twenty years since
tanks and artillery put an end to the hopeful Prague
Spring.
6
The day of the anniversary, crowds gathered to
commemorate their fading glimpse of freedom. And
that evening, on the Voice of America, they heard the
first western interview with the champion of their cause
- the ousted leader Alexander Dubcek.
That day took even the most optimistic off-guard. A
human rights activist said, "None of us, opposition or
officials, believed that 10,000 young people would
demonstrate on that day. And when the VOA
correspondent broadcast his piece that night on Voice
of America, people throughout the republic realized
that something fundamental had changed."
People throughout the world realized something
fundamental had changed when, in China the next
spring, thousands of young people began demanding
reform. Their numbers swelled to millions as they were
7
joined by young and old, workers and peasants across
the nation.
In Romania, at the same time, the people were thrilled
to learn -- via American radio -- that six top officials
dared confront their leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, by
demanding reform.
The Romanian dictator had the officials arrested.
The Chinese dictators did worse.
I want to talk about China in a moment, but first, I'd like
to point out something else that happened on June
fourth, the day the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square.
The day a dream was dashed in China, a dream was
realized in Poland. On June fourth, Poles voted in their
first fair election in more than forty years.
8
The people spoke. And Solidarity won.
The pace of change in Eastern Europe accellerated.
Lithuanians, demanding more autonomy from Moscow,
joined hands to form a human bridge across their land.
In Berlin, hands reached across a wall.
In Czechoslovakia, Dubcek was vindicated.
And in Romania, the people were victorious.
The wave of freedom was just that - a wave.
And the courage and faith that made all this happen
were bourne, in part, by information -- by word of
mouth, by telephone, by fax machine. And by radio.
In the west, we tend to take for granted an almost
limitless access to information. New technology makes
9
it seem even more a basic fact of our lives. But for much
of the world, radio remains a primary means of finding
out about the world. And it is a handful of radios --
VOA, and the BBC prime among them -- that offers a
balanced view of what is going on.
Access to information played a direct, immediate role in
recent events.
But I would also like to argue that it was a prominent
factor in the struggle that preceded them.
I said a moment ago that good is often slow to triumph.
That is often the case, too, I believe, -- and we see it in
our lives -- about the effect of information.
For so many, for so long, knowledge of the outside
world and of their own world has been denied people
by their rulers. Which is why, for nearly fifty years, VOA,
10
along with other international broadcasters, has
provided news to people hungry for information.
Communist governments used their media to spread
lies, and jammed the signals of western media that
spread news. The free flow of information is a
dangerous thing -- if you are a dictator.
The attempt to control what people knew or thought
finds its most chilling example in Romania's security
forces. Ceausescu took young children out of
orphanages and raised them in his perfect, isolated
totalitarian world.
He raised slaves and killers.
That example is extreme, yet it is the logical extreme of
lies and jamming and isolation from information.
11
But short of Ceaucescu's grotesque efforts - and those
of a few others - there really is no way to create an
isolated world. The Iron Curtain had holes.
There were limited contacts between East and West.
Their were underground media, smuggled books,
whispered conversations. And there were the
international radios.
President Kennedy once told VOA to make information
flow "across iron curtains and stone walls" to create an
open market of ideas. The U.S. Congress paid for VOA
broadcasts with taxpayer dollars and got a bargain in
return. For two cents per listener each year, 127 million
plus listeners tune in each week.
Isn't it incredible how Western all those Eastern
Europeans sound in talking about freedom, democracy,
free enterprise, environmental concerns? They didn't
12
get if from their own media or text books. And they
didn't get it from Western commercial media, which has
little experience, limited audience and no financial
incentive in many of these countries.
And isn't it incredible that they knew so much about
what their governments were up to, even though the
governments went to great lengths to keep them
secret?
In the Soviet Union, people have been well aware of the
problems the government causes them in their day to
day lives. VOA, however, has given them the
background on how those problems came about. 31
million people there -- Russians, Georgians, Ukranians,
Estonians -- listen to us in 9 languages everyday.
For many years, the Soviet media portrayed the invasion
of Afghanistan as a noble effort to help the poor
citizens of that country. The Soviet people were
13
supposed to believe that comely Afghan women were
out greeting the soldiers with garlands in hand. But
VOA and other international broadcasters gave a
different picture, one that jibed with the
disillusionment of returning veterans. And as we found
out here in America, you can't win a war without
popular support.
Citizen disaffection was rampant throughout the USSR
because they knew we gave them the truth about that
war and the Soviet media didn't.
In Poland, a Gdansk housewife recently told one of our
correspondents, and I quote, "VOA has been my only
comfort these past seven years. I don't know how we
would have made it through martial law and its
aftermath without it."
Czechoslovakian students recently honored VOA by
sending a package containing barbed wire, a piece of
14
that despised fence cut away from the Czechoslovak-
Austrian border last summer. It was their way of saying
thank you.
Information can have its effect on governments, too.
Half a world away, in Cuba, where Castro praises the
hardliners in China and decries the reform of those he
emulated for 30 years in the Eastern Bloc, people can
hear what is really happening and what the rest of the
world is thinking by listening to Radio Marti. VOA
began Radio Marti in 1985. Since then, we have seen
the way knowledge can overcome deceit, and even
force concessions on the part of the deceivers.
After Radio Marti told of the incredible AIDS risk in
Angola and other Central African countries where Cuba
has stationed tens of thousands of soldiers, the Minister
of Health announced an AIDS detection plan, even
while denying that such a threat existed on the island.
15
And prodded by Marti, the Cuban media recently has
been tackling subjects that had previously been taboo.
Castro himself said the reason for the livelier
programming on state radio and t.v. is to win back
listeners from Radio Marti.
A desire to have a voice, to hear the voices of others --
that has been the biggest threat to any dictatorship.
Perhaps no other place better demonstrates the effect
of that desire, both in an immediate sense, and over the
long term, than China.
During the past decade, the Chinese government not
only tolerated our broadcasts but, on occasion, actually
16
encouraged people to listen and to learn. And tens of
millions Chinese did, and do.
Deng Xiaoping's aim was to bring western science and
technology to China. But there was a catch to this. He
wanted western economics without western social or
political ideas. Nonetheless, information seeped
through.
For a lucky few Chinese, learning about the rest of the
world came through traveling and living abroad. For
the vast majority of Chinese, however, much of their
unrestricted information came to them over the radio.
VOA, reporting in Chinese and English, is the most
listened to international broadcaster in China.
So, along with news on science and technology, people
in China learned about things like Solidarity in Poland.
-- People power in the Philippines.
17
-- Glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union.
-- And the abundant harvest of western thought and
institutions.
But when the Chinese people wanted change for
themselves, it was more than the government could
stand.
One of the first moves of the hardliners when they
declared martial law in late May was to stem the free
flow of information. They cut off live broadcasts so that
it would be harder for people in the rest of the world to
know what was going on. And they began to jam the
news coming in.
Then, in the early morning hours of June fourth, they
cut down the people themselves.
Immediately, the government denied what happened.
"No one died in Tiananmen Square," they said. And
18
through terror and coercion, they tried to make this lie
work.
One young man, a student, was sentenced to nine years
in prison. His "crime?" Telephoning VOA in
Washington and reporting a protest that he had
witnessed.
Recently, police arrested a young man for placing a
radio tuned to VOA in the window of a restaurant so
passersby could hear our broadcasts. He did this three
days after the massacre. Officials spent all these months
hunting him down, so fearful are they of letting the
truth be heard. His name was Liu Chengwu [Lyō Cheng
wū]. He, too, received a long prison sentence.
But despite the clampdown, the arrests, the jamming,
we know the tragedy of June fourth. We know of the
repression that now blackens China.
19
We know. They know. The world knows. We might not
be aware of every detail, but for all its reliance on brute
force, the Chinese government cannot stop news from
crossing boundaries.
They have understood this somewhat. And, right now,
few things threaten them more than news of the
outside world.
To protect themselves from the effects of information,
they have made an effort at spin control.
For example, when reporting on events in Germany,
Beijing television buried the story in its international
segment, and then referred to it as some sort of
unexceptional change in visa laws. The Berlin Wall was
not even mentioned.
But as one Chinese worker who listens to VOA told the
Washington Post, "Right now, everything is quiet in
20
China. But someday, we'll explode again, just like the
East Germans."
The leaders know that.
And they are scared.
When news came to China that Romanians had
overthrown Ceausescu, the parallels to their own
situation were not lost on the hardliners.
They immediately increased the security forces in
Beijing, cancelled all military leave, and put the troops
on standby alert.
The government understands that the power of
communication is such that a worker in Beijing, even an
illiterate farmer in a rice field, knowing nothing but his
mother tongue, can know that people all over Eastern
Europe are standing up for their basic human rights.
21
China's leaders have a curious way of denouncing what
international broadcasters do. They call it -- and they
mean this perjoratively -- "peaceful evolution." In fact,
that's their catch-phrase for western influence.
I'm rather fond of the denunciation. What more could
we ask for anyone living under tyranny than "peaceful
evolution" away from it?
In many parts of the world, this peaceful evolution is
well on its way. There is still, however, much left to be
done.
What can we do?
In China, we can let people know we believe in the
ultimate triumph of the dreams of millions, not the
desperate, brutal actions of a few.
22
In the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, people right
now are rewriting their futures.
We can help by giving them information. Information
on the historical and theoretical underpinnings of
democracy. Information on how a fair judicial system is
put in place. How laws are made. How free markets
work. There is a saying that everyone in Moscow knows
that Baskin Robbins carries 31 flavors of ice cream. Now
what they want to know is how 31 separate production
lines work and how anyone could have enough free
time to try all those 31 flavors -- and when can they get
just a few of them.
The information they want can come to them over the
radio, or through government exchanges or through
the training programs of private corporations and
professional groups.
23
All will help.
There is one other thing that I think will help. And it is
something that our listeners understand when hearing
reports on American life: democracy does not solve all
problems.
In our programs on American history, it is clear that
democracy does not automatically mean everyone will
have the vote. In hearing about civil rights under a
democratic system, it is apparent there is room for
improvement. In protecting the interests of religion,
ethnicity, political or aesthetic ideas, there is ongoing
debate.
Yet, while we are still working out all the antagonisms
and problems that come with our democracy and
24
diversity, wè've achieved a degree of tolerance
unparalleled in world history.
I think most of us in this room are truly moved by
what is happening in the Communist world right
now. Millions of people are demanding more and
more freedom. We are enthused for them. We want
them to succeed. But they are walking on a long road,
and there are many dangers.
Ethnic rivalries, nationalist passions, festering wounds
threaten to undo the broader aim of freedom. The
current unrest between Armenians and Azerbaijanis is
but one example.
As we share with each other what we have learned, a
better model of tolerance may be our greatest gift --
and our greatest challenge.
25
Lech Walesa once joked that if they ever open the
borders of Poland, would the last one to leave please
turn off the lights. It's been just a couple of years since
he said that and its already wrinkled with age.
But it reminds me of a thought I've had about VOA. As I
said, there is still much to be done. Nonetheless, I like to
envision a day when VOA can turn off the lights,
knowing that in radio stations and newsrooms in the
Soviet Union, in China, in Cuba, and throughout the
world, other lights will be burning brightly -- and we can
go out of business.
By encouraging the flow of information, everyone will
benefit. It helps everyone to form opinions to make
decisions about our lives, our families, and our socieites.
As the last year has so dramatically proven, public
opinion does make a difference.
26
The Voice of America, and the voices of America, are
part of that critical difference.
Thank you. It was a great pleasure to be here.
####
My thanks to Churchill Roberts for his kind introduction.
I am so glad to have been invited to speak.
Being here reminds me of a talk I gave a couple of years
ago at a global communications seminar at the
University of Nebraska. The host spent a little time
talking about the state of affairs in the USSR and the
Eastern bloc, and then, gesturing towards me, said,
"and now we are going to hear the latest dope from
Washington "
I never figured out if that was premeditated or not.
Well, here I am, straight from Washington, the
throbbing heart of America's government, the center of
its bureaucratic web.
On that subject, before I get serious, let me tell you my
favorite government story.
One day, a shepherd was standing in a field with his
sheep dog and a huge flock of sheep. He watched a car
go by on the highway, stop, and a nondescript fellow
got out, walked down the embankment and came over
to the shepherd.
As you know, ! work for the federal government
at the Voice of America, the intersection of
diplomacy and journalism, two frankly incompatible
pursuits.
It has been a very busy time at the VOA lately. What has
been occurring in the USSR and Eastern Europe is
nothing short of amazing. We are reporting on, and the
world is witnessing, one of the most remarkable periods
in the twentieth century.
I am tempted to say it is the most remarkable period,
given the nature of what's happening. Dramatic events
-- at least the ones which make headlines -- tend to be
bad news, a crisis or disaster. As all of you who are
studying journalism know, good news is often slow to
come into focus, no matter how large it looms on the
horizon.
The pace of good news since we first began to hear of
glasnost and perestroika has been simply stunning. And
it has changed not only what we report, but how we
report it as well.
When I arrived at the Voice of America just four years
ago, the Soviets were spending up to a half a billion
dollars a year just to jam our signals to keep their
citizens from hearing the truth.
Now, the Soviets not only have stopped jamming VOA,
the official government paper, Isvestia, has become one
of our strongest supporters. People living in times of
peace --Isvestia recently declared -- need the VOA no less
than people who had lived during the period of the
Cold War.
The desire to know more has led VOA to improbable
ventures. We now have an office in Warsaw and a
bureau in Moscow. And in several countries, VOA is
carried on what such a short time ago were official,
state-run Communist stations.
This shift from adversaries to colleagues has its personal
twists, too. One of our announcers, a Hungarian
journalist who defected to the west several years ago, is
now doing joint broadcasts with her former boss at
Radio Budapest.
Four years ago - indeed one year ago -- if you had
predicted the events that allowed this to happen, no
one would have believed you. One ends up almost
nostalgic about yesterday.
One of the first glimmers of things to come occurred in
August, 1988. It was the twentieth anniversary of the
Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia -- twenty years since
tanks and artillery put an end to the hopeful Prague
Spring.
The day of the anniversary, crowds gathered to
commemorate their fading glimpse of freedom. And
that evening, on the Voice of America, they heard the
first western interview with the champion of their cause
- the ousted leader Alexander Dubcek.
That day took even the most optimistic off-guard. A
human rights activist said, "None of us, opposition or
officials, believed that 10,000 young people would
demonstrate on that day. And when the VOA
correspondent broadcast his piece that night on Voice
of America, people throughout the republic realized
that something fundamental had changed."
People throughout the world realized something
fundamental had changed when, in China the next
spring, thousands of young people began demanding
reform. Their numbers swelled to millions as they were
joined by young and old, workers and peasants across
the nation.
In Romania, at the same time, the people were thrilled
to learn -- via American radio -- that six top officials
dared confront their leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, by
demanding reform.
The Romanian dictator had the officials arrested. The
Chinese dictators did worse.
I want to talk about China in a moment, but first, I'd like
to point out something else that happened on June
fourth, the day the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square.
The day a dream was dashed in China, a dream was
realized in Poland. On June fourth, Poles voted in their
first fair election in more than forty years. The people
spoke. And Solidarity won.
The pace of change in Eastern Europe accelerated.
In Berlin, the hated wall came down. In Czechoslovakia,
Dubcek was vindicated. In Romania, a dictatorship was
toppled. And in Lithuania, just last week, people voted
to push their once free country closer to freedom once
again. [MAY WANT TO MENTION RESULTS OF RUSSIAN
ELECTIONS, MARCH 4TH]
The wave of freedom was just that - a wave. And the
courage and faith that made all this happen were
bourne, in part, by information -- by word of mouth, by
telephone, by fax machine. And by radio.
In the west, we tend to take for granted an almost
limitless access to information. New technology makes
it seem even more a basic fact of our lives. But for much
of the world, radio remains a primary means of finding
out about the world. And it is a handful of radios --
VOA, and the BBC prime among them -- that offers a
balanced view of what is going on.
Access to information played a direct, immediate role in
recent events. But I would also like to argue that it was
a prominent factor in the struggle that preceded them.
I said a moment ago that good is often slow to triumph.
That is often the case, too, I believe, -- and we see it in
our lives -- about the effect of information.
For so many, for so long, knowledge of the outside
world and of their own world has been denied people
by their rulers. Which is why, for nearly fifty years, VOA,
along with other international broadcasters, has
provided news to people hungry for information.
Communist governments used their media to spread
lies, and jammed the signals of western media that
spread news. The free flow of information is a
dangerous thing -- if you are a dictator.
The attempt to control what people knew or thought
finds its most chilling example in Romania's security
forces. Ceausescu took young children out of
orphanages and raised them in his perfect, isolated
totalitarian world. He raised slaves and killers.
That example is extreme, yet it is the logical extreme of
lies and jamming and isolation from information. But
short of Ceausescu's grotesque efforts - and those of a
few others - there really is no way to create an isolated
world. The Iron Curtain had holes.
There were limited contacts between East and West.
Their were underground media, smuggled books,
whispered conversations. And there were the
international radios.
President Kennedy once told VOA to make information
flow "across iron curtains and stone walls" to create an
open market of ideas. The U.S. Congress paid for VOA
broadcasts with taxpayer dollars and got a bargain in
return. For two cents per listener each year, 127 million
plus listeners tune in each week.
Isn't it incredible how Western all those Eastern
Europeans sound in talking about freedom, democracy,
free enterprise, environmental concerns? They didn't
get if from their own media or text books. And they
didn't get it from Western commercial media, which has
little experience, limited audience and no financial
incentive in many of these countries.
And isn't it incredible that they knew so much about
what their governments were up to, even though the
governments went to great lengths to keep them
secret?
In the Soviet Union, people have been well aware of the
problems the government causes them in their day to
day lives. VOA, however, has given them the
background on how those problems came about. 31
million people there -- Russians, Georgians, Ukranians,
Estonians -- listen to us in 9 languages everyday.
For many years, the Soviet media portrayed the invasion
of Afghanistan as a noble effort to help the poor
citizens of that country. The Soviet people were
supposed to believe that comely Afghan women were
out greeting the soldiers with garlands in hand. But
VOA and other international broadcasters gave a
different picture, one that jibed with the
disillusionment of returning veterans. And as we found
out here in America, you can't win a war without
popular support.
Citizen disaffection was rampant throughout the USSR
because they knew we gave them the truth about that
war and the Soviet media didn't.
Vladimir Snegirev, a Soviet journalist, called this "sheer
stupidity" on the part of the Soviet press. But it is more
than a political blunder to lie. Access to information is a
matter of compassion, of morality. And it is a
fundamental human right.
A Romanian woman wrote from Bucharest recently:
"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for
keeping us informed, day by day, and year by year,
about what was happening in the world and in our
country. You were the only means we had not to lose all
hope. You were our balm for our hopeless and
desperate souls."
In Poland, a Gdansk housewife told one of our
correspondents, and I quote, "VOA has been my only
comfort these past seven years. I don't know how we
would have made it through martial law and its
aftermath without it."
Czechoslovakian students honored VOA by sending a
package containing barbed wire, a piece of that
despised fence cut away from the Czechoslovak-
Austrian border last summer. It was their way of saying
thank you.
Just as information can have its effect on individuals, so,
too, can it work to keep governments a little less
reckless.
Half a world away, in Cuba, where Castro praises the
hardliners in China and decries the reform of those he
emulated for 30 years in the Eastern Bloc, people can
hear what is really happening and what the rest of the
world is thinking by listening to Radio Marti. VOA
began Radio Marti in 1985. Since then, we have seen
the way knowledge can overcome deceit, and even
force concessions on the part of the deceivers.
After Radio Marti told of the incredible AIDS risk in
Angola and other Central African countries where Cuba
has stationed tens of thousands of soldiers, the Minister
of Health announced an AIDS detection plan, even
while denying that such a threat existed on the island.
And prodded by Marti, the Cuban media recently has
been tackling subjects that had previously been taboo.
Castro himself said the reason for the livelier
programming on state radio and t.v. is to win back
listeners from Radio Marti.
Now Castro is up in arms about our plans for TV Marti.
His officials claim they have nothing against the free
flow of information -- they just don't want any
uncensored news to come their way. Actually, the
proposal for TV Marti has already prompted Castro to
accept CNN's International Hour for broadcast in Cuba.
The program displays a diversity of opinion in its
coverage of international events -- if not the balance we
have come to expect from western news sources -- and
that is a start.
A desire to have a voice, to hear the voices of others --
that has been the biggest threat to any dictatorship.
Perhaps no other place better demonstrates the effect
of that desire, both in an immediate sense, and over the
long term, than China.
During the past decade, the Chinese government not
only tolerated our broadcasts but, on occasion, actually
encouraged people to listen and to learn. And tens of
millions Chinese did, and do.
Deng Xiaoping's aim was to bring western science and
technology to China. But there was a catch to this. He
wanted western economics without western social or
political ideas. Nonetheless, information seeped
through.
For a lucky few Chinese, learning about the rest of the
world came through traveling and living abroad. For
the vast majority of Chinese, however, much of their
unrestricted information came to them over the radio.
VOA, reporting in Chinese and English, is the most
listened to international broadcaster in China.
So, along with news on science and technology, people
in China learned about things like Solidarity in Poland.
-- People power in the Philippines.
-- Glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union.
-- And the abundant harvest of western thought and
institutions.
But when the Chinese people wanted change for
themselves, it was more than the government could
stand.
One of the first moves of the hardliners when they
declared martial law in late May was to stem the free
flow of information. They cut off live broadcasts so that
it would be harder for people in the rest of the world to
know what was going on. And they began to jam the
news coming in.
Then, in the early morning hours of June fourth, they
cut down the people themselves.
Immediately, the government denied what happened.
"No one died in Tiananmen Square," they said. And
through terror and coercion, they tried to make this lie
work.
One young man, a student, was sentenced to nine years
in prison. His "crime?" Telephoning VOA in
Washington and reporting a protest that he had
witnessed.
Police arrested another young man for placing a radio
tuned to VOA in the window of a restaurant so
passersby could hear our broadcasts. He did this three
days after the massacre. Officials spent six months
hunting him down, so fearful are they of letting the
truth be heard. His name was Liu Chengwu. He, too,
received a long prison sentence.
But despite the clampdown, the arrests, the jamming,
we know the tragedy of June fourth. We know of the
repression that now blackens China.
We know. They know. The world knows. We might not
be aware of every detail, but for all its reliance on brute
force, the Chinese government cannot stop news from
crossing boundaries.
They, like Castro, have understood this somewhat. And,
right now, few things threaten them more than news of
the outside world. To protect themselves from the
effects of information, they have made an effort at spin
control.
For example, when reporting on events in Germany,
Beijing television buries the story in its international
segment, referring to it as some sort of unexceptional
change in visa laws. The Berlin Wall is not even
mentioned.
But as one Chinese worker who listens to VOA told the
Washington Post, "Right now, everything is quiet in
China. But someday, we'll explode again, just like the
East Germans."
The leaders know that. And they are scared.
When news came to China that Romanians had
overthrown Ceausescu, the parallels to their own
situation were not lost on the hardliners.
They immediately increased the security forces in
Beijing, cancelled all military leave, and put the troops
on standby alert.
The government understands that the power of
communication is such that a worker in Beijing, even an
illiterate farmer in a rice field, knowing nothing but his
mother tongue, can know that people all over Eastern
Europe are standing up for their basic human rights.
China's leaders have a curious way of denouncing what
international broadcasters do. They call it -- and they
mean this perjoratively -- "peaceful evolution." In fact,
that's their catch-phrase for western influence.
I'm rather fond of the denunciation. What more could
we ask for anyone living under tyranny than "peaceful
evolution" away from it?
In many parts of the world, this peaceful evolution is
well on its way. There is still, however, much left to be
done.
What can we do?
In China, we can let people know we believe in the
ultimate triumph of the dreams of millions, not the
desperate, brutal actions of a few.
In the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, people right
now are rewriting their futures.
We can help by giving them information. Information
on the historical and theoretical underpinnings of
democracy. Information on how a fair judicial system is
put in place. How laws are made. How free markets
work. There is a saying that everyone in Moscow knows
that Baskin Robbins carries 31 flavors of ice cream. Now
what they want to know is how 31 separate production
lines work and how anyone could have enough free
time to try all those 31 flavors -- and when can they get
just a few of them.
The information they want can come to them over the
radio, or through government exchanges or through
the training programs of private corporations and
professional groups.
All will help.
Information plays a part in fulfilling the third, and I
believe occasionally overlooked, "inalienable right"
that forms the core of our society: the pursuit of
happiness.
Life and liberty are being recognized as fundamental
rights in a way we could only have dreamed about a
year ago. But building societies that make basic
economic, educational and health-related goals easier
to obtain is everyone's next step.
When Vaclav Havel, the newly elected President of
Czechoslovakia came by VOA recently, he not only
thanked VOA for, as he said, helping to bring about the
peaceful revolution; he asked us to keep informing
them, this time on how to rebuild his country.
Whether it's a request from the president of a newly
free nation seeking information on how a democratic
society works, or a student in Shanghai wanting to
know more about freedom of speech, or a local official
in Nigeria asking how to ensure clean water for his
village, VOA, by providing information, can help.
Before I end, I just want to note that VOA is facing
another challenge these days. In this period of
expanding possibilities, we are faced with contracting
resources. VOA is not an expensive operation -- as I said,
two cents a year for each of our weekly listeners --
however, government-wide budget cutbacks is forcing
us to scale down our efforts. We are doing everything in
our power to keep the information flowing.
By encouraging that flow, we all will benefit. It helps
everyone to form opinions to make decisions about our
lives, our families, and our societes. As the last year has
so dramatically proven, public opinion does make a
difference.
The Voice of America, and the voices of America, are
part of that critical difference. Thank you. It was a
great pleasure to be here.
####
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12TH STORY of Level 2 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1990 The Washington Post
January 29, 1990, Monday, Final Edition
NAME: ORLANDO BOSCH
SECTION: STYLE; PAGE B1
LENGTH: 3918 words
HEADLINE: The Warrior Without a Country;
In Florida Prison, Orlando Basch Faces Deportation and Remembers His Long
Struggle Against Castro
SERIES: Occasional
BYLINE: Paul Hendrickson, Washington Post Staff Writer
DATELINE: MIAMI
BODY:
"Doctor to soldier," the sorrowful-looking man in the prison-issue green is
saying, almost as if no one else were here with him in this tight and airless
little visiting booth where the talk has now been going on for nearly three
hours, sometimes fevered and wonderful and sometimes as circular and scratchy as
an old record stuck on terminal replay.
"How can this be? A doctor saves lives. He is the healer. A soldier kills, he
is the destroyer. The conversion of doctor to soldier is something very hard to
understand in a man, no?"
Yes. Orlando Bosch, Cuban baby doctor turned mythic defender of the struggle
against Castro, doesn't really help with the paradox, instead says only this:
"It was my duty to my motherland, to 10 million people." And then he brings his
ex-pediatrician's hands up to his eyes and rubs fists into the sockets.
He is 63 now, and poorly, and scheduled for deportation, and he seems no more
scary than some old broken abuelo, which is the word for "grandfather." But
looks can deceive with Orlando Bosch, MD, and riddles can come wrapped in
riddles. Conundrum.
Actually, the hands alone would bring you straight to the former identity.
They are long and tapered, smooth on the undersides, almost ladylike in their
softness, the index fingers slender as Macanudo cigars. These hands once
ministered to squalling infants and their worried mamas in the town of Santa
Clara in the province of Las Villas on a narrow Caribbean curve of sand called
Cuba. But that was a long time ago, before el exilio, before la lucha. La lucha
means "the struggle," although the English words are a pale substitute. Such a
mellifluous little phrase, la lucha, such an impenetrable idea, at least for
norteamericanos. Because if you are truly given over to la lucha, as Orlando
Bosch has always been, then you'll throw away everything - --- home, profession,
children, wife, health, friends, maybe even your sanity - in its pursuit.
"I know there are times when it seemed as though I was crazy," he says. The
"p" in crazy bearing a kind of trilled elegant little roll.
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Crazy? Might an hombre notorio be alluding to the time he got arrested for
towing a homemade radio-controlled torpedo through downtown Miami during rush
hour? (This was '64, and what Dr. Bosch had in mind was never quite made clear,
except of course blowing up Fidel or something connected with him.) Crazy? How
about the time a physician in a Caddy convertible got stopped by Collier County
police for transporting six 100-pound surplus aerial practice bombs across the
Tamiami Trail toward the west coast of Florida? (This one was April '66, and the
bombs turned out not to be duds, as many Bosch bombs have through the years.)
Crazy? What about the day he tried to knock over a Polish freighter in the blue
foam of Biscayne Bay with a jerry-built bazooka? (El Fana'tico got a sentence
of 10 years in a federal pen; this was 1968. At the trial it came out that he'd
crouched for hours with a compadre in the bushes of the median strip of the
MacArthur Causeway, then rose up with this crude plumber's pipe of a weapon
balanced on his shoulder. It was all because he thought the boat was going to
trade with Fidel.)
But that's history. Orlando Bosch, who doesn't much use the MD initials
anymore, is apparently about to leave America for good, though not by his own
will. An order for deportation by the Justice Department is in effect, but this
doesn't settle the matter completely. For one thing, it depends in large measure
on finding a country that's willing to accept him. The leaving, if it occurs at
all, and there are those who doubt it will, could come as early as tomorrow
morning, though it could also come six months from now, or even at a date beyond
that. No one seems to know for sure.
For the past 23 months, ever since he returned on his own to Miami from
Venezuela (where he'd been held in jail for more than a decade on charges, never
proved, of blowing up one of Fidel's airliners off Barbados in 1976), Orlando
Bosch -- archenemy of Castro, arch-symbol of the once-militant Cuban in exile --
has been fighting his expulsion by the U.S. government.
Bosch reappeared in this country two years ago to voluntarily face charges
stemming from a 1974 parole violation. According to Bosch's friends and family
and attorneys, his belief at the time of his return was that he would settle the
probation violation, serve what time was ordered, and then become a free man in
America.
But things haven't worked out that way. Almost immediately after detaining
Bosch upon his arrival at Miami International Airport on Feb. 16, 1988,
government officials began stating their intention to deport him as an
"excludable alien."
In the nearly two years since, the interim decisions and appeals and
overrulings in Bosch's case have been playing themselves out, mostly in south
Florida federal courts. Bosch himself has been held in a special secure unit of
the Metropolitan Correctional Center southwest of Miami. He has been a presence
felt if not seen in south Florida, where there are more than half a million
Cuban exiles, and where old passions can still ignite at almost mere mention of
the five-letter word "Bosch. = Many people in the press have wanted to speak to
him since his return, but until recently he has not broken his silence.
His attorneys say that the appeals and overturns in his case could have
continued for another two or three years. They were willing to take the case to
the Supreme Court to try to secure Bosch's release and political asylum in
America. They insist his firebrand ways are over, that he is now just an old
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man who wants to go home to his family. But Bosch himself has grown weary of his
"judicial limbo" and notified his lawyers that he declined any further chance to
appeal, and so the State Department, having been handed the case by Justice, is
now actively seeking a country to accept him. This much can be said: That
country won't be Cuba. Bosch would be dead before he got off the tarmac in
Havana, or at least that is the conventional wisdom, not only in the exile
community of south Florida, but in the labyrinthine corridors of Washington.
As it is, Bosch believes be dead anyway whether he ends up in
Zimbabwe or the Dominican Republic. Castro and his henchmen are sworn to find
him, he says. He has long been declared an enemy of the state in Cuba.
"Bosch is under an order of deportation," Robert Morley, a State Department
officer, said recently. "Justice has asked us to identify a country willing to
receive him. And we're actively looking for one. We're not going to send him to
Cuba. We've said that. So far we haven't had any affirmative responses, but on
the other hand we haven't heard from everybody, either.
That's U.S. officialdom talking. But here's a deportee in the Metropolitan
Correctional Center talking: "I wish to die with dignity. This is not living.
Suppose I live two years, five years more? In any case I don't think I will be
70. And then I would die like a convict. At least this way I will be leaving a
message. I have been very worried to leave a message of my conduct to my son, to
my daughter, to my people. Simon Bolivar said, 'It is best to have a risky
freedom than to be a slave for certain.' And that's what I have here."
And then he adds: "I have no hope - this country, that country. What does it
matter? The warrior had come back to America to rest." He pauses. "But now, they
are sending me out." He pauses again. "For my death."
Warrior to rest. Who is this man - zealot, terrorist, bungler,
self-aggrandizer, menace, absurdity, thug, prophet, mystic, hero, the last
counterrevolutionary, the final exile joke? All have been alleged, all have
seemed to fit the persona at one time or another. There are a thousand
contradictions.
"You know," he had said a moment ago, leaning forward in a perfect
seriousness through his stale captive air, a kind of bow in his guttural voice,
"when I see an older man in jail, I really have a bad impression. So please, if
you can, accept my personal apology for having to meet you today under these
circumstances."
Conundrum. "Orlando Bosch has for more than 30 years been resolute and
unwavering in his advocacy of terrorist violence," then-acting Associate
Attorney General Joe Whitley said last summer in announcing an order for
deportation. "Bosch has advocated, encouraged, organized and participated in
terrorist violence in this country as well as various other countries. He has
repeatedly expressed and demonstrated a willingness to cause indiscriminate
injury and death."
The Justice Department has said that between 1961 and 1968 alone, Basch was
involved in 30 acts of sabotage in the United States, Puerto Rico, Panama and
Cuba. Bosch has been much accused in his notorious time, but rarely convicted.
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Look once and see a supposed caring parent who abandoned his family. Look
again and see the alleged cold-blooded mastermind of an airline explosion --
some of whose other operations and capers and seeming haplessness these past
three decades are right out of a Cuban version of the Three Stooges.
Was the truest Bosch all along the warrior and not the healer? In the popular
imagination, at least, there was a point in time - somewhere in the mid- to
late '60s -- that Bosch seemed to move from patriot to terrorist, from freedom
fighter to fanatic.
"I am living in a box," he tells you, waving it off with a weariness that
seems beyond weary.
"I am consecrated to death," he says, like a man playing Lear.
"The tragedy of Cuba is the fever that burns constantly in my heart," he
says, curving back toward poetics.
"History forgets, history gets old," he says, moving his head back and forth.
"Noriega, he is for me a vulgar man," he says, like a man trying to push
rotten food from his plate. "I mean, where is this man's dignity, being led from
his cell to hold up his little sign with the numbers? At least have a moment of
dying with dignity!"
Now, suddenly standing up, nearly kicking his chair out from under him:
"Look, look, this is me." He is tearing through a cheap-looking paperback to a
muddy photograph. It is of a fleshy-faced horn-rimmed idealist -- say, 30 years
old -- in a lab coat. The man is Orlando Bosch, and he is administering Cuba's
first polio vaccine. The date is April 1955.
"This is me, this is me," he repeats, studying the picture, as if even he can
almost not imagine the self he once was.
He follows with: "These were people who had nothing, you know." "Nothing" has
small, bitter savagery in it.
"What is the capital of Ohio?" he inquires. "Oh, yes, Columbus. They wrote to
me, after I had finished my residency, offering me $ 150,000, plus commissions,
to come and work in a pediatrics hospital there."
When was this? he is asked.
"Oh, '64 or '65 or '66, I don't remember about time. What I am saying is I
could have been a millionaire. You know how many Cuban doctors were in Miami
when I came to exile? Three."
That was the period when some of the more bizarro Bosch burlesques were
staged. "People said I had an air force. We didn't have an air force. We had two
planes with two engines."
Bosch. That's all you ever had to say back then in Miami. It was instantly
understood.
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In the '50s, before this madness, before his infamy, before his exile, a
newly minted MD from Havana University did an internship in Toledo, his
pediatrics residency in Memphis. Memphis was better than Toledo, he says. It's
50 cold in Ohio.
After the internship and residency, he went back to his homeland. He thought
he was going to be a rural doc. For a time, in the mid-'50s, he had worked as a
province leader for Fidel in the 26 Julio movement, in the national underground
war against the hated dictator Fulgencio Batista. Batista fell, and then came
the even larger perfidy of Fidel himself. The green-clad Jesus was the
green-clad Judas.
"How can they regard me as a terrorist?" he asks you, palms turned upward, a
look of deep doctorly consternation on his face.
There is an interpreter in the visiting booth today (at least for the first
several hours of the talk). This seems another of the mysteries. Bosch
understands English almost perfectly, and he speaks it tolerably well (if a bit
Latino-fractured), but he has nonetheless insisted on an interpreter, for those
moments when he wishes to "philosophize." Yet it somehow seems more than that.
Sometimes his sentences will begin in Spanish, come into English, return to
Spanish, find a penultimate word or phrase back in English. In a way it's almost
as if he's attempting to hide with language.
"Be careful," he tells you, confiding it, voice in a low whisper. "You are in
a prison with a lot of nuts. You give them a finger, they take a hand. You give
them a hand, they take an arm. You give an arm, they take a body." He italicizes
the last word.
"The only thing they can never talk about me is that I did it to enrich
myself," he says. The "it" seems everything and nothing.
Now he is searching another paperback on the table before him. (He has come
armed with bulging envelopes full of yellowed clippings and documents and
books.) He stops at another image. It's one of his old compan
eros, wearing bandito khaki and holding up for the camera a semiautomatic
rifle with a banana clip beneath the stock.
"This is my weapon, my personal weapon," Bosch says, not even trying to hide
the pride. "In the Escambray Mountains, when we were leading the
counterrevolution against Fidel, before I fled into exile." The line almost
sounds like something out of a bad six-reeler.
"It was my plan to have six children of my own, six adopted," he says in a
completely different tone. "I said to myself, 'God, you have given me so much, I
want to give it back to you. = But of course fate had another plan. Bosch has
had five children by two marriages, and additionally he has an adopted son. All
of these children are now in the Miami area. In the past months of his
reemergence - as the name Bosch has become a fixture again in the Florida
newspapers and on the evening news - his adopted son, Willie, has engaged in
two hunger strikes.
"I want you to listen to this," he says. "I want you to listen to this.
Jose Marti, who you know is the great martyr in the history of our
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independence, the patron saint of all our revolutions, said, 'A country can only
be built on men and their passions. =
Passions. "One day I have five dollars in the pocket, another time two or
three thousand in the pocket," he says, speaking of his fugitive years in the
mid-'70s, when he had fled this country and was turning up, often under an
alias, in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela: a man in exile from exile.
In 1976 he was picked up in Costa Rica on a phony passport, believed to be
plotting the death of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, due to arrive five
days later. Jack Anderson broke the story. The proof was not forthcoming.
So did he mastermind the blowup of Cubana Airlines Flight 455 on Oct. 6,
1976? Seventy-three died in that crash. Bosch, charged and jailed in Venezuela,
was eventually acquitted by military tribunals.
He considers your question. Thoughtfully comes a reply: "Yes, many people
think I am the mastermind." He doesn't say more. What he says instead is that
the court acquittals speak for themselves. Then, so guilelessly: "What is that
sport called, you put the screen on your face and you are fighting with the
little stick?"
He means fencing. When the DC-8 went down, two dozen members of Fidel's
national fencing team were aboard.
In person he seems 50 much older, wearier, than his chronological age. What
he looks like is a man used up. But is he just a spent baby doc in a dry exile
season?
His eyes are dark as agates. He has swept silver hair -- surely, one of the
keys to the not-so-hidden vanity. He walks slope-shouldered, and with a slight
list, like a man who once carried heavy things - say, crates of TNT -- as part
of his work.
He's got on white sweat socks and little pointy-toed ankle-high black boots
with high Cuban heels. The short sleeves of his zippered prison jumpsuit are
elegantly rolled. In his breast pocket is a pressed white handkerchief, folded
into neat fours. He has cried three times today, each time when talking of his
mother and father, and each time he has taken out this handkerchief and wiped
his eyes, then folded it neatly back into fours.
"They were living poor," he says of his long-dead parents, Rosa and Miguel
Bosch. "All the money was for the education of their children. We are two
sisters and two brothers. All four have a doctorate."
He has to eat his meals in small portions and in a standing-up position.
Three-quarters of his stomach is gone, was cut out long ago, actually. His
prostate is not in good shape. He's on Halcion and Xanax, which are anti-anxiety
drugs. He's prone to vomiting and the runs. In the left breast pocket, along
with the pressed handkerchief, are tabs of nitroglycerin. These tabs aren't for
bombing the Metropolitan Correctional Center the first time the guards turn
their heads, but for becalming a cordoned heart when the angina comes, which it
regularly does.
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"I never had to do that in my life," he says, referring to the Halcion and
Xanax. "Valium once in a while, oh sure. But I have 50 much anxiety, you see.
Can't sleep at night. I went to the prison doctor. He put me on sedatives. He
had to double the doses. I was not quite out of control."
Guards at the MCC -- in south Florida the street nickname for the
Metropolitan Correctional Center is "Mostly Cubans and Colombians" -- would not
describe Orlando Bosch as a man out of control. "Who, Orlando?" says Charles
Davis, a high-ranking guard. "He's a very good inmate. No problem, really. He
stays in his cell and paints. We help him with his oils and boards. He's a
modest guy."
"I do landscapes," an impassioned man says of his curiously serene art. "You
know, the lake. The tree. The ocean." He layers the oils on thickly with
spatulas and inexpensive brushes. In south Florida, Bosch paintings command
large prices. It's partly the way he has helped support his family through the
years of imprisonment.
"Not want to die here," he says. "Humiliating, you 522. Every time, every
day, 'Count. Count.' They hold counts all day. They have to do this - 11
o'clock in the morning, 11 o'clock at night. I'm tired of all that, 63 years
old. I'm so tired."
Is it possible George Bush could intervene, grant him his freedom? It's
possible but not likely, according to Bosch's lawyers. Nonetheless in Florida
these days, along with talk about Fidel-issued death warrants on Bosch, one
hears speculation about a possible presidential intervention in the case. It is
known that George Bush discussed Bosch last fall with south Florida Republican
politicians.
"He knows my case," says Bosch. "After all, he directed CIA. I have asked my
lawyers. I don't have an ounce of knowing whether it could happen." Then: "Oh,
you know how politics are." And then, curiously: "I don't know where the lever
is."
One of Bosch's attorneys is a Harvard-trained Cuban American named Raoul
Cantero. "I check with Justice about every two weeks," he says. "Our request is
that they deport him to a Spanish-speaking country close to Miami, so he can be
visited by his family. Justice hasn't said they'd necessarily honor that
request. In my mind, it's very much an open question whether they'll find a
country for him, or whether they even want to. They haven't shown me that
they're in any hurry."
Asked if he thinks Bosch will be a walking dead man as soon as he's off U.S.
soil, Cantero says, "I certainly fear that."
"I know I'm going to be attending my father's funeral Cafter he's deported],"
says Myriam Bosch, one of Bosch's four daughters. Her family calls her "Chicky."
She is 33 and part-owner of a south Florida court reporting firm. "What's he
going to do for bodyguards in another country? 'Do I stay in jail and live like
an animal, or do I risk it and go out and be a free man?' This is what he has
had to ask. I know I'm going to have 50 many nightmares about him. 'How much did
they torture him?' 'Where did the bullet hit him?' What keeps me half sane is
that my father has chosen this life for himself."
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Conundrum.
One of the myths attached to Orlando Bosch's life is his long-ago brotherly
relationship with Fidel. They are almost exactly the same age, born five days
apart in August 1926. ("I am the 18th, he was the 13th.") The myth says that the
two were intensely close at Havana University in the mid-'40s, that they found
their twin political fires at the same moment, when Bosch was leading protests
by the medical students and Fidel was straining to be a leader over in the law
school. (It is a fact that Bosch held higher campus offices.) Bosch himself
insists, "I knew him as you can know your brother. He used to come to my room
very often." He and Fidel were so close, he says, they used to break a single
cigar in half and smoke it together. They'd sit all night in the cafes together.
"He used to clap me on the back and call me guajiro." That is an affectionate
term for "white Cuban peasant."
All of which, of course, would only make the subsequent break and the three
decades of hatred between the two men that much more intense, that much more
mythic.
Yet Tad Szulc, author of a massive and authoritative biography of Castro,
says, "In all my research on Castro, in all my interviews with him, Orlando
Bosch's name never even came up. I'm not sure he's even in Castro's mind. I'm
not saying Bosch is a liar about that university stuff. I just don't know." His
cell. It's in the E Unit, which is not "the hole," where the hard cases are, but
still it's a secured wing cut off from the rest of the prison. Fifty-eight men
are in the E Unit. The cell at the end of the corridor on the left of the main
floor is Orlando Bosch's home. There are two bunks in this space, which is
perhaps 5 by 8.
A commode. Two small metal lockers. A tiny desk, on which sits an Olivetti
Lettera typewriter. Above the desk is a bulletin board, and one of the items
thumbtacked to it is a Saint Jude holy card. Saint Jude is the patron saint of
hopeless causes.
All around the cell -- above the sink, under the bed, stacked by the door -
are Orlando Bosch's oils. They're going on exhibit in Miami shortly to help
raise money.
Five hours have elapsed. The interview is over, but a guard has consented to
show you Bosch's box. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"Welcome, welcome," Orlando Bosch says, delighted, as if this were Sunday
afternoon in Miami Shores and you had come calling. He doesn't seem so weary
anymore. "I would like you to meet my roommate, Francisco."
Francisco, in his underwear, piles off the top bed, sticks out a paw.
The man himself has changed into gray athletic shorts and a T-shirt. He's in
straw sandals. He's got an unlit cigar in his mouth.
"Lackup is not until 11 tonight," he says. "You can be out of your cell until
then. But I usually just stay in here and keep to myself."
An hour earlier, when the interview was close to its end, Orlando Bosch had
been asked whether it was possible Fidel could have a change of heart and
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decide to let him live, should he be deported.
His whole face had lit. The mouth turned upward, the head cocked sideways.
"Maybe! Maybe!" he said. "I mean, you can never tell about these paranoid guys."
GRAPHIC: PHOTO, ORLANDO BOSCH AT THE METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER NEAR
MIAMI. JAMES A. PARCELL; PHOTO, AP; PHOTO
TYPE: INTERVIEW, BIOGRAPHY
SUBJECT: CUBA; IMMIGRATION SERVICES; REFUGEES; TERRORISM; MIAMI
NAMED-PERSONS: ORLANDO BOSCH; FIDEL CASTRO
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A22 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987
THE WASHIN
The Washington Post
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
The Chinese Demonstrations
D
ISMISSALS and denunciations of writers,
changes by which he apparently hopes to break
university figures and others associated
his dogmatic opposition's still strong grip on the
with the democracy protests in the
economic bureaucracy. But it could also be that
People's Republic of China are being reported in
they mean to use the protests to discredit reform.
the official press, and the assumption is that
These things go on behind a veil, but they do go
reprimands with crushing effects on career pros-
on. Student demands for a broader role in local
pects are going quietly into the files of student
elections, for a more open press and even for
protesters. These are among the mean and vin-
Western-style freedoms are important in their
dictive ways a totalitarian government can con-
own right and as moves in a continuing and
trol dissent without getting into the heavy-handed
portentous political struggle.
stuff that fires up people and looks bad abroad.
In the United States, the general tendency to
The protesters themselves, in the nationwide
cheer for dissent in police states is tempered in
demonstrations seen in the last six weeks, seem
some quarters by awareness that China is in
not only exceptionally brave but also determined-
certain respects a friend and strategic partner
ly orderly and even modest in their demands. A
and that it has at least been inching toward a free
government with confidence in itself would not be
market and experimenting with a degree of politi-
harassing and punishing them as it is.
cal openness. Still, nothing American officials say
From all appearances, the protests arise from
about China is nearly as important as what the
an appetite for democracy whetted by Deng
government's radio, the Voice of America, says to
Xiaoping's reformist program and by the word
China. VOA, by doing what it was already doing,
brought back home by the thousands of Chinese
offers its millions of Chinese listeners an alterna-
who have been studying overseas. Youthful ideal-
tive to the official press's report on events in
ism and the hardships of student life no doubt also
China. For doing this job the Voice has come
play a role. In China, however, there is an old
under some criticism in Beijing, but it seems to be
tradition of politicians' manipulation of protests
giving the available news straight and, in that
staged by the students. Perhaps Mr. Deng fig-
vital way, making a major and appropriate contri-
ured the marches would generate demand for the
bution to China's uncertain democratic passage.
Iran on the Attack
INTER IS THE SEASON for warfare in
W
reserves to buy the American weapons and parts.
the swamps and deserts along the rim of
Iranian aircraft seem to have been much more in
the Persian Gulf, and the fighting has
evidence this winter than for quite a long time-
picked up again between Iran and Iraq. The Iraqis
reportedly including some of the F-4s that this
are far better armed, and their superior air power
country sold the shah in the 1970s. Either the
has succeeded in holding Iran's oil exports down
Iranians had been hoarding them for this moment
to half the level of a year ago. But Iran has more
or, perhaps more likely, they have managed to
infantrymen. Its population is larger by a ratio of
acquire some of the replacement parts that they
and
that
defines
the
deadlock
TOR
Mond Mas 8. 1999
THE CHRISTIA
REGIME
from
page
1
anding votif of the pro-
opposation groups. press-
the of wanting
THE Moscon to stop its inditary and.
better " lations, Letter :1'
and beginning talks with rebel
Jimmy after was his
groups 111 Tigne and britrea.
guest late last month.
FOREIGN POLICY
An ande to us Rep. Toby Roth
The Bush administration has not
(R) of Wisconsin, who has been an
yet decided how 10 respond and IS in
Ethiopian Regime Looks
at tive critic of Mengistu, says there
no hurry to do so, US officials say.
is nothing to show that the regime
"The US is not particularly eager to
has changed its "evil ways." Even if
West for Helping Hand
normalize relations [because] we
it did. the aide says reforms could
don't think this particular leopard
not atone for Mengistu's past
can change his spots." a high rank-
crimes. Any move by the adminis-
ing administration official says.
tration to upgrade relations "would
Mengistu looks to US as Soviet largess wanes,
He and others say the Mengistu
be fought tooth and nail" by Demo-
regime must stop "brutalizing" its
crats and Republicans, he says.
but human rights abuses make aid seem unlikely
people. end the forced movement of
The administration, however,
peasants, reform its Stalinist eco-
did not immediately rebulf the
much."
nomic and agricultural policies, and
Ethiopians. Rather, it decided to see
Ethiopia's Soviet patrons are
show an interest in finding a negoti-
if there are serious changes in the
By E. A. Wayne
pushing the government toward
ated end to the Tigre and Eritrea re-
wind, and if Ethiopia's new tone
Staff WT of The Christian Science Monitor
economic and political reform, but
bellions before US-Ethiopian rela-
would bring some short-term bene-
WASHINGTON
are meeting resistance from a re-
tions can bloom. In the interim, they
fits for the crisis in the Sudan.
gime still touting a Stalinist ap-
say, the US is quite happy to have
Ethiopia could be helpful in getting
proach. Moscow is also hinting that
frank talks with the Ethiopians
N the ropes militarily, eco-
badly needed food supplies into war-
O
new military aid may not be as forth-
about needed changes.
nomically, and diplomati-
torn southern Sudan, for example.
Animosity in Washington toward
cally, the Marxist regime
coming after the current agreement
It might also encourage peace in Su-
in Ethiopia is reaching out to the
runs out next year. But US special-
the Mengistu regime stretches from
dan, since the rebels there receive
ists within and without the US gov-
the Congressional Black Caucus to
Ethiopian aid and sanctuary.
West.
President Mengistu Haile Mari-
ernment disagree on how far
the conservative right because of its
(Ethiopia is already quietly al-
Moscow is willing to push its ally.
"bloodthirsty" practices and abys-
lowing private relief groups to de-
am's government "is on the run like
"The Soviets have tolerated and
mal human rights
liver food from
never before and seems to be on an
endorsed every excess" by giving
record,
says
irreversible downward slide," says
its territory in-
Paul Henze, a specialist on the Horn
Mengistu more than $11 billion of
Pauline Baker, an
to southern
military aid since 1977, Rand's Mr.
Africa-watcher
The US is not 'eager to
Sudan.
The
of Africa at the Rand Corporation, a
with the Carnegie
normalize relations
Santa Monica, Calif.-based think
Henze says. "Now they recognize
government,
that they have reached a dead-end,
Endowment for
tank.
International
[because] we don't think
however, does
But as Mr. Mengistu tries to rally
and they are trying to pressure a
this particular leopard
not publicly
very stubborn regime to make con-
Peace. Not sur-
admit this, be-
support, there is debate in Washing-
prisingly,
the
ton over whether the US should be
cessions."
can change his spots.'
cause it oppos-
There is no clear evidence, how-
overwhelming
US Official
es a similar
forthcoming toward a government
that has one of the world's worst hu-
ever, of a reduced arms flow, nor any
reaction
to
cross-border
sign that Moscow will sever its deep
Ethiopia's over-
feeding opera-
man rights records, and which is not
tures is "to let the
tion from the
vet repentant, say US officials, con-
ties with the regime, he says.
gressional aides and private special-
Ethiopia is seeking to diversify
regime twist in the wind and let
Sudan into rebel-held Eritrea.)
its military supply relationships
Moscow pick up the bill," a congres-
"We're looking for opportunities
ists.
Ethiopia-watchers here agree
through overtures to North Korea,
sional aide says.
to help solve the massive humani-
Israel and others, according to US
A few observers suggest the US
tarian problems in the region and to
the regime is weakened, though
officials and congressional aides.
might have something to gain by
encourage peacemaking there," a
they disagree on the chances of it
crumbling soon. Some, such as Mi-
President Mengistu has also
limited responses to Ethiopian over-
US diplomat says. "But we have no
chael Johns of the Heritage Foun-
made a number of overtures to the
tures as long as Washington
interest in bailing Mengistu out."
US and other potential Western
makes clear it is in no way endorsing
MaHy in Washington favoring an
dation. think it could crack in the
donors and investors. But US offi-
practices under Mengistu.
upgrade in relations say it will make
months ahead.
US Rep. Mickey Leland (D) of
Others say it still has "plenty of
cials say the others, without the US.
the most sense if it comes in the con-
capability to do harm," as one gov-
are reluctant to get too involved in
Texas, who recently visited the re-
text of Ethiopian contributions to
what is probably the world's poorest
gion, supports an exchange of am-
solving the widespread hu-
ernment analyst puts it.
bassadors. He sees this as a way of
country.
manitarian and civil war problems
All agree the Mengistu govern-
So Mengistu has been forced to
increasing US leverage, expanding
in the Horn, says a key congres-
ment has recently suffered stunning
turn on the charm.
its diplomatic presence, and en-
sional aide. "Yes, Mengistu's not
military defeats at the hands of
Marxist rebel movements in Tigre
In February, the Ethiopian gov-
hancing its ability to help common
trustworthy and he's nasty, but he's
and Eritrea Provinces.
ernment asked the US to allow it to
Ethiopians. "We're not endorsing a
a key player in the region and he's in
send an ambassador to its embassy
regime by exchanging ambassa-
a corner," the aide says.
"The Army isn't fighting and the
here after nine years of lower-level
dors," he says. "We have an ambas-
Henze contends that the current
people are tired of war," says a spe-
representation. President Mengistu
sador in Moscow and we don't en-
US approach is just right. "We can
cialist recently returned from the
See REGIME next page
dorse that regime."
well afford to bide our time. It would
region. "They've suffered too
Mr. Johns, at the right-of-center
be unseemly to be seen as embrac-
Heritage Foundation, argues for a
ing a discredited regime." The US is
Vietnam's
complete rebulf of Mengistu's over-
the most admired country in
Sluggish
tures. Mengistu is responsible for "a
Cinema
Ethiopia, he says.
Rural
state-sponsored holocaust which
"It's almost embarrassing how
A touring series is
contributed to the death of over I
Economies
wargily Eshiopian OR the street
giving Americans
million people," Johns says. "He is
greet Americans,' hereyn,
Tiny Greenfield,
a rare look at
in the same category as Cambodia's
Until the mid-1970% the US was
lowa, draws on
movies made
Pol Pot
We don't want to send a
Ethiopia's main superpower ally.
its own
in Vietnam for
message to the Ethiopian people
The Voice of America is reportedly
resources to
Vietnamese
that we are with this government by
the most listened-to source of news
attract and
audiences, films
raising the level of diplomatic rela-
fin the country.
retain jobs
which focus on
tions."
The US is in a position of
7
humanity rather
The US aim should be to replace
strength to regain influence in
than ideology
the Mengistu regime, Johns con-
Ethiopia over the medium and long
10
tends.
term, Henze and US officials say. In
"This is doable now," he says.
addition to the reservoir of popular
"The man is on the edge." Johns ad-
goodwill, they say the West is the
vocates working with other nations
one source of aid and investment
to keep Ethiopia- isolated; possibly
that Ethiopia desperately needs,
NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1987
Ethiopia, Rulers Seem to Be Widely Resen
JAMES BROOKE
massive
to The New York Times
BABA, Ethiopia, March 8 -
Haile
&
Marxist Government, long a
guerrillas financed by the
InS
ministration, appears to be
bundled
entrenched but more
than ever.
ago last month, Lieut. Col.
Haile Mariam consolidated
over the Government in a
left six of his rivals dead
eeting table. Over the ensu-
the heavy handedness
by the shootout has crip-
x nation wi 45 million
only pal
year
from
last
to
the
dates
munist suarrillas
and Nice
one-third
he
Governme
Masks
of
those
whole
within
gistu
Cove
dure
to operty
facades
of
men blde
STATE
on
end,
drives mounted by
recod committees
want to get idlled
ware, one mang
isin was caught becaus
went home Le sloop
goens stationed here
stantly besieged by your
jobs that bring draft
had young men offer to
the for for are mombers
United States
NEWS CLIP
Information
Agency
SOURCE: Oklahoman
DATE:
2-14-90
Okcity,CK
USIA
Freedom's Voice Unmuffled
I
T is good to know the bu-
Writing about foreign
reaucrats at the U.S. In-
broadcasters, columnist
formation Agency have
Ken Adelman said: "No
gotten their priorities
group has done more to in-
straight.
form the masses, who real-
ly do move the world."
On Feb. 1, the Voice of
America - a division of
Rather than pull the plug
USIA - announced it
on programs that extol the
would eliminate six for-
values of democracy and
eign-language broadcasts
free enterprise, the United
States should be expanding
for budgetary reasons. Re-
its reach. Radio Marti,
ductions were planned for
which penetrates Fidel
five other broadcasts.
Castro's Marxist Cuba,
The action drew legiti-
should be joined by TV
mate objections from Con-
Marti.
gress, where the signifi-
Fortunately, someone at
cance of events in the Sovi-
USIA saw the light and di-
et Union and Eastern
rected the VOA to continue
Europe apparently is
the six broadcasting ser-
viewed more acutely than
vices. The agency was told
at the VOA. The revolu-
to look elsewhere for bud-
tionary changes that have
get savings.
taken place in such coun-
That was a sound deci-
tries as Romania and cer-
sion. The voice of freedom
tain Soviet republics can
must not be muffled by
be traced in large part to
what Adelman calls "the
broadcast news from the
green eyeshade mentality"
free world.
that pervades Washington.
Dallas Timos-Herald 2-6-90
Keep Voice of America strong
he Voice of America is the only
reduce broadcasts in Russian, Arabic, Span-
T
source of honest news to mil-
ish and Polish. A total hiring freeze has
lions of people around the
been instituted and 222 positions eliminated
globe. It will be a tragedy if this
to save money since 1987. The latest cut-
small but valuable federal agen-
back will cost 57 employees their jobs.
cy has to go through with its plans to elimi-
While Mr. Carlson said it will be better
nate broadcasts in six of its 42 languages
to have 37 language services that are solid
this year. Congress should insist on keeping
than 43 with no audience at all, Congress
the cords that bind freedom-loving people
needs to look at this nation's information
together.
programs and review its priorities. (Some
VOA director Richard W. Carlson said
VOA employees question spending $7 mil-
budget problems will force the agency to go
lion in USIA funds on the Seville World's
dark in some parts of the world, "doing to
Fair.)
ourselves what 30 years of jamming has
Ironically, it will cost more this year to
been unable to do." Unless funds are re-
close down the six language services than to
stored, service will cease April 1 in Greek,
keep them broadcasting, because of sever-
Turkish, Lao and Slovene and end June 1
ance costs and other expenses. But VOA
in Uzbek and Swahili. (Swahili is the lan-
officials said that spending an "extra"
guage of 50 million people in strategically
$167,540 this year will enable the agency to
important East Africa.)
save $2.8 million next year.
Voice of America, a part of the United
Let's continue to speak up for freedom
States Information Agency, has also had to
throughout the world.
the Court's jurisdiction. For several reasons, the first
ethnic lobby at home. We sympathize, as all decent
two options are politically undesirable; the third is as
people must, with the sufferings of the Armenian
attractive as it is obscure. Article III, Section 2, para-
people in this and earlier centuries-and, indeed
graph 2 of the Constitution ends with this sentence:
today. But Turkey has the support of independent
"In all other cases before mentioned, the Supreme
scholars in questioning the term "genocide," with its
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to
implicit comparison with the Nazi holocaust, to de-
law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such
scribe events in a war in which many thousands of
regulations as the Congress shall make [emphasis
Turks were also killed. Historical judgments like
added]." In other words, Congress may pass a law
these are best left for historians to dispute rather
identical to its 1989 legislation, but with the added
than given to politicians to settle by majority vote.
stipulation that the Court shall henceforth be prohib-
Not even the U.S. Senate can legislate history.
ited from ruling on cases of flag-burning. Congress
has not asserted itself in this way for more than a
It was an emotional moment at Voice of America
century, but the time has come to do so again. What
headquarters in Washington last week when Czech
better way to enact the will of the people-and to re-
president Vaclav Havel interrupted his busy schedule
mind the Court that its own tyranny is even less ac-
to meet and embrace writers and broadcasters from
ceptable than the tyranny of the majority.
the Czech-language service, many of whose voices
were familiar to him from long years of listening to
There they go again. The latest "nonpartisan"
VOA. "The part you played in the revolution was
study on capital gains, this one by the Joint Commit-
very real," he told them. Two weeks earlier Lech
tee on Taxation, finds that President Bush's proposed
Walesa had said much the same when asked about
tax cut would reduce revenues by $11.4 billion over
Radio Free Europe's role in Poland's liberation.
a six-year period. Some may recall that in the late
"What is the earth without the sun?" he told Steve
Seventies a Treasury Department study similarly
Forbes, head of the Board for International Broad-
warned that cutting rates would reduce tax receipts.
casting. Without RFE, said Walesa, Solidarity would
Yet in 1978 the top capital-gains tax rate was slashed
not have existed. Years earlier, shortly after his
from 49.1 per cent to 28 per cent, and revenues
exile, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had lyrically evoked
leaped 44 per cent between 1977 and 1979. In 1982
"the mighty non-military force which resides in the
capital-gains tax rates were cut again-to 20 per
airwaves and whose kindling power in the midst of
cent-setting off a sustained rise in revenues which
Communist darkness cannot even be grasped by the
was halted (along with the bull market) only after
Western imagination." Such encomiums should blunt
the tax rate was pushed back up to 28 per cent in
the enthusiasm of D.C. budget-cutters who are ask-
1987. As with the earlier study, this latest one ig-
ing whether the Voice and the surrogate radios
nores the real-world evidence (which favors tax cuts)
shouldn't be cut back with the waning of the cold
by creating a world of its own, where lower tax
war. The answer is a resounding No.
rates are assumed to have no effect whatsoever on ec-
onomic growth, debt-equity ratios, venture capital,
In the current upheavals, some Eastern Euro-
investment, savings, or even prices of stocks and
peans are looking at Sweden as a role model. They
bonds. The Joint Committee's study also perpetuates
should look more closely. Although Sweden is most-
the myth about capital gains being the province of
ly capitalist, despite government ownership of 10 per
the wealthy by counting the gains realized as part of
cent of stock-market assets, the burden of the wel-
the taxpayers' incomes. In the great majority of
fare state has weakened initiative. The economy is
cases, of course, capital gains are non-recurring
plagued with chronic absenteeism, unwillingness to
events: people with large capital gains in one year
are apt to have decidedly smaller incomes in the
Hope Springs Eternal
years both before and after. Bad economic assump-
tions plus bad accounting equals bad policy, even in
Ortega's saying "Adios"
the city where one plus one often equals three.
And didn't even come in close,
Reviving hopes that Castro, too,
Finding the task of upholding U.S. interests insuf-
Will wash out with a good shampoo,
ficiently challenging, the Senate is deliberating
But in the House, where Democrats
whether to designate April 24 a day of remembrance
of the "Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." The resolu-
Sit on their seats like happy cats,
tion is being sponsored by the usually sensible
The change is glacial as the ice
Robert Dole, who wants to make a point ("Genocide
That slides among the edelweiss.
is genocide, whomever it may happen to") that is ab-
W. H. VON DREELE
stractly unexceptionable but concretely gratuitous,
offending a friendly country, Turkey, to appease an
MARCH 19, 1990 / NATIONAL REVIEW 13
"I like your pop music program, perhaps because I'm interested in English. I
love American pop music the most. What I love to hear the most is romantic
pop music, such as Cher's "If I could turn Back Time,' Jennifer Rush's 'The
Power of Love,' and George Michael's 'Careless Whispers."
IV. Criticism of Chinese Government--Excerpts / Synopses
33-5 Wang Aiguo, Beijing, undated (February Letter-69)
"Although the Chinese regime is making an all-out effort to jam VOA
broadcasts, we always wait until late at night when the sound is clear to
listen. Your programs enable us to understand what is happening in the world
right away and accurately. The collapse of the communist parties in Eastern
European countries, particularly the victory of the. Romanian people's
revolution, made us dance with glee. The Romanians' success gave us
determination to resisit tyrannical communist control. As soon as opportunity
ripens, we certainly will standup once again and overthrow the dictatorial
rule of the Chinese government. I wish to thank all the ladies and gentlemen
of VOA Chinese, for you bring to us the news of freedom."
V. Comments on VOA
33-6 FL "VOA consistently shows concern about various aspects of Chinese
affairs. When I listen to VOA, I feel I have found my own pulse, and I am.
delighted."
33-7 Chen Jianguo E. from Shanghai, January 26, 1990 (Feb. Letter 121)
"By listening to VOA people become more knowledgeable about world events.
China." Listening to VOA is like being an overseas students even though you are in
3
JUNE 1, 1988
- NEWSWIRE ITEM
WHAT TO KNOW WHAT'S ON AT THE SUNMIT? TUNE INTO VOA
MOSCOW, JUNE 1, REUTER - SOVIET SATIRIST GRIGORY GORIN SAYS
HIS COUNTRY'S PRESS COULD USE R LESSON IN SUMMIT COVERAGE FROM
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT-FINANCED RADIO STATION VOICE OF AMERICA.
"I LIKE THE FACT THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN GET ABSOLUTELY FULL
AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT EVERY DAY OF THE PRESIDENT'S
VISIT:* HE WROTE IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION OF THE HEEKLY Moscow
NEWS.
"ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO SIT DOWN IN FRONT OF YOUR
TELEVISION IN THE EVENING: TURN DOWN THE SOUND: TUNE INTO VOICE
OF AMERICA, AND THEN CALL A COUPLE OF JOURNALIST FRIENDS TO FIND
OUT WHAT ACTUALLY HENT ON, #
UIII 20051011 GIOUC
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1989
From Boston, tidings of great joy for the Ukraine
By Susan Bickelhaupt
Victor Cooley, speaking In Ukral-
Globe Staff
bonds to hold us together are
nian, was heard In the balcony. It
It was not Just the celebration
was more for the benefit of 50 mll-
'Good morning.
strengthened."
This is the Voice
After the service, Father Party-
of their Christmas holiday that
lion Ukrainians in the Soviet
kevich said his feelings were bit-
created an air of excllement as pa-
Union than for more than 100
of America. It is a
tersweet.
rishioners filed Into SI. Andrew's
people In the church that he sald,
"This Is SO Joyous for us to be
Ukrainian Orthodox Church In
"Good morning. This Is the Voice
lovely Christmas
part of the broadcast. but on the
Jamaica Plain yesterday.
of America. It Is a lovely Christ-
The Voice of America radio net-
mas morning here as snow Is fall-
morning here as
other hand, II Is sad that they
have to listen to a service on the
work had chosen the onton-domed
Ing outside the St. Andrew Ukral-
church to broadcast the service to
nlan Orthodox Church of Boston.
snow is falling
radlo." he said. "They can't go to
Ukrainians In the Sovlet Union,
The church Is beautifully dressed
outside the St. An-
a local church and be sure that It
will be open or that a priest will be
marking the first time that this re-
up with poinsettias and a Christ-
drew Ukrainian
there. And you wonder If It was
ligious service was not jammed
mas tree. and some children are
over the alrwaves by the Sovlet
dressed up in their traditional
Orthodox Church
only for economic reasons that
Gorbachev quit the jamming. It is
government.
Ukrainian costumes."
Just after 11 a.m., the voice of
of Boston.'
much more expensive to block
With that, the Mass began,
broadcasts than to let them be."
and for the next hour Father An-
- Victor Cooley, broadcaster
driy Partykevich presided over the
Euterpe Dukakis. the mother
service. which celebrated Christ-
of Gov. Dukakis, was Invited by
mas on Jan. 7 In accordance with
Mass, adding that the Ukrainian
parishioner Joseph Charyna to
the Ukrainian church's Jullan
Orthodox Church has been out-
observe the service. Dukakis be-
calendar. The Voice of America
lawed in the Soviet Union since
longs to the Greck Orthodox
also broadcast the church's
1927. "We broadcast from some
Church. which also follows the
Christmas Eve carol concert on
church In the US every Christmas
Jullan calendar but no longer ob-
Friday night.
and Easter, but people over there
serves Christmas In January.
The choir. which served as a
have been able to pick up only
"It was very beautiful, and the
constant accompaniment to the
parts of our broadcasts, If they
ceremony was just like our ser-
service, made plenty of room In
keep turning the dial on their
vice, -SO It all made sense even
the balcony for Cooley and engl-
shortwave radios and listen
though I don't understand the
neer Fred Pearson. Wires were
hard."
Ukrainian language." she sald.
wrapped around the banister lead-
II was only In the last year. he
Alicia Szandluch, a parishion-
Ing up to the balcony. black elec-
said. that the Jamming was
cr whose father was born In the
trical tape covered wires laid on
stopped.
Ukraine, said. "It's exciting that
the red carpet, and recording
Father Partykevich accentuat-
our church was chosen to be the
equipment and interophones look
ed the occasion In his homily: "On
vehicle." She said there are some
over one corner.
this least day. the Lord has al-
lines of communication between
Pearson manned the controls
lowed us to celebrate with our
churchgoers here and in the Sovl-
while Cooley quietly added de-
brothers and sisters In their
cl Union, and that friends and rel-
scription lo enliven the service for
homeland. We pray that the love
allves eventually will be In touch
his Ukrainian audience.
and strength of God will tear
with each other.
"Over there, churches are un-
down the tremendous obstacles
But for now, she said, "We can
derground," Cooley said after the
that keep us apart and that the
only Imagine their reaction."
The following report appeared in the Soviet newspaper IZVESTIYA on February 3/4,
1990
After Carlsan aNNouned budgetcuts+ Loss
USA
of employees
INADVERTENT VICTIMS OF GLASNOST
The management of the Voice of America is discontinuing broadcasts in six of its
forty-three languages. The reason - economizing resources. The radio's director
Richard Carlson said: We are doing to ourselves what thirty years of jamming could
not do.
Management announced the names of 57 staffers who would lose their jobs. Mr.
Carlson called that day the most difficult and saddest day in his professional career.
Broadcasts are being discontinued, among others, in the Uzbek language, and the
hours of Russian broadcasts are being reduced as well.
The US Information Agency, which includes the Voice of America, counts on saving
2,8 milion dollars. However, as a start, 167 000 dollars will haveto be spent on
unemployment compensation and other needs of those who are losing their jobs.
Having passed through the blast furnace of jamming and having come out
strengthened the Voice of America is forced to slow down in the period of
glasnost'. Having judged the former size of expenditures for the radio station to be
no longer appropriate, the US government has in a most telling way confirmed the
role of glasnost in the process of worldwide information exchange.
It would be dishonest not to note that among the journalists of the Voice of
America are many who have made a great personal contribution to that process.
There is cause for sincere regret if such specialists, with their deep knowledge of the
countries to which they had broadcast, will lose their jobs. One should express the
hope that people living in times of peace need intermediaries no less then people
who had lived during the period of the "cold war".
V. Nadein
Correspondent for Izvestiya
WASHINGTON
VO
Voice of America
February 8, 1990
Dear
The Romanian Service of the Voice of America has received an unprecedented wave
of listener mail posted in Romania after the fall of Ceausescu in late December and
collapse of his censorship system. I thought that in view of your support for human
freedom and better international communication, you would find highly
interesting what VOA listeners in Romania have to say.
The letters thank VOA for "hope and information" that VOA provided them during
the years of the Ceausescu dictatorship. They reflect a real emotional bond that
seems to have been established over time.
Many offer their phone numbers and information about current conditions. Many
hope to find American pen pals. Many enclose letters for movie stars they heard
about on VOA. Notable is the spread of their geographic locations throughout
Romania. Many underline the unique value of VOA's medium wave signal which is
more widely and easily received that the signals of other competitor stations.
The mail includes hand-made Christmas and New Years cards, eyewitness accounts
of "the revolution" in dozens of cities, family stories, moving verses, clippings from
the first "free" newspapers, life histories, appeals for Western publications - an
emotional outpouring of thanks for VOA's "help."
Here are typical samples:
From loana Suculescu, Bucharest: "Dear friends, you who tirelessly gave us moral
support during the years of the odious dictator. I am sure that I am not the first to
send you deepest thanks
"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping us informed, day by day
and year by year, about what was happening in the world and in our country. You
were the only means we had not to lose all hope! The clear and sonorous voices --
for example, Elena Velisar, Ilie Tecuta, and Dorin Tudoran--pierced the horrible fog
(with the sound of trumpets and lively music), VOA was anxiously awaited every
evening and every day. We couldn't always get RFE regularly because of reception
problems. You were our balm for our hopeless and desperate souls.
"We didn't believe that we would ever escape and now! we have a spring [of the
spirit] to look forward to after all our tribulations, hunger, cold and darkness. The
Happiest of New Years, we embrace you all!"
From Monica Morar, Orastie, age 18: "I've been listening to the Voice of America
for two years. Before the revolution we used to call in the neighbors and listen to
VOA together. We had to lock the doors so we wouldn't alert the policemen who
were posted on every block and every corner of every street.
"I've always wanted to write you but I had to restrain my desire because we all
knew that the letters would be intercepted and would not reach you.
"For the first time in my eighteen years, I was able to see Christmas celebrated and I
watched carols. "Merry Christmas" on the television. We were even able to hear Christmas
"Whatever the difficulties we may yet have to face, they don't matter, for we
know that we won! We are free this freedom that we longed for so much and
which was paid for [during Ceausescu's years] with 60,000 lives.
"I want to thank you all on behalf of me and all my friends for the help that you
[VOA] gave our country."
Florin Ungureanu, Brasov: "For years we listened to you. In everything you did for
us, raising our MORALE was what prepared us for the day of December 22, 1989."
Pavel Papazian, Bucharest: "To VOA's Romanian Service, thanks for the precious
information which made such a humane contribution to the Romanian people so
that the bestial tyranny could be toppled. We wish you the happiest of New Years
from the bottom of our hearts."
with which you blessed us, all Romanians."
loan Rosu, Roman: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the spiritual light
Emanuel Valeriu, Bucharest: "VOA is perhaps the number one foreign station
among listeners right now. The medium wave signal allows even automobile radios
the "involvement" of RFE."
to pick up VOA. VOA strikes a good balance between the "objectivity" of BBC and
Nicolae Sirca, Oradea: "VOA and the other foreign radios are more needed now
than ever before."
Maria Sapusan, Cluj: "I've listened to VOA Romanian evening after evening, year
after year, ever since I was a child. All these years it was you that showed us the
world. You kept us tied to civilization. Thank you, VOA."
Alexandru Laric, lasi: "I've grown used to listening to VOA regularly. The gap was
huge between the truth VOA gave us and the lies of the former president
[Ceausescu]. informed." I'll never forget those December days. Thank you, VOA, for keeping us
Damian Enciu, lasi: "I have been a VOA listener for years in the illegal activity of
keeping informed about what was happening in the free world. I've listened to
your broadcasts since 1960 when my father, God rest his soul, taught me how to
catch your signal through the jamming or static on our old radio set."
Alexandru Lazar Marar, Rimnicu Vilcea: "Who knows what the fate of Romanian
the airwaves?"
dissidents would have been had it not been for the help that VOA gave them via
Gheorghe Voicu, Joitsa: "I am 23 years old. I have listened to VOA since eighth
grade. Thave enjoyed VOA so much. Thank you on behalf of all your listeners in
free Romania" for your great help to us in keeping us informed about things we
otherwise could not know. A good example was Dorin Tudoran's interview with
sociologist Liviu Turcu just before the revolution."
Andras Attila Nagy, Tirgu-Mures: "In the name of all the citizens of Turgu-Mures
and Cristesti, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the information you
have given us each evening all these years."
Ionel Antonescu, Ploiesti: "Let me try in just a few lines to express my thanks and
gratitude for helping us simply to survive and last until these days when we
regained our liberty. I enclose a little gift: the first edition of the first edition of the
"Free Prahova" newspaper."
Claudiu-Daniel Chelariu, Constanta: "All of us, Romanians, we thank VOA and
other independent radios for what they said and how they told the truth when
people needed to hear about democracy so as not to doubt even themselves
thank you for saying publicly what we really thought but could not say. We thank we
you for presenting the ideals of liberty..."
Ilinca Stroe, Bucharest: "Thank you all at VOA for the incontestable contribution
which your broadcasts made to the overturn of the Ceausescu dictatorship You let
us know what was happening in the free world, from the continent of freedom, of
truth. You are the station by which we were able to the cries from Timisoara, the
cries of freedom which even the secret police were not able to silence."
Cristina Stihi-Semian, Cluj: "Please help me study journalism in the U.S. Journalists
here only know how to broadcast propaganda and hide the truth. New people are
needed. I am looking for a modern journalism school in your modern world."
Johnny Steve Jovi (pseudonym), Bacau: "Everywhere in Romania we "heavy metal"
fans like Andrei's [VOA] rock show. The local media now plays more rock music but
want most. We (rockers) will win."
not heavy metal. Why doesn't VOA have a write-in poll to see what music people
TO:
ADDRESS LIST
February 23, 1990
FROM:
Romanian Service -- Edward Mainland
The Romanian Service of the Voice of America received hundreds of letters in
February from listeners now able to write VOA unimpeded by censorship that
collapsed after the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was toppled on December 22. Here
are a few samples:
Gelu Ovidiu Turma, Margina, metal worker: "I have been and am a VOA listener
on a 'Gloria 3" radio. Thank you for your thoughts sent from the land of the holy
Statue of Liberty of the brotherly American people. Thanks especially for your
broadcast of December 17 [day of demonstrations in Timisoara that began
Ceausescu's fall]. Here's an open invitation to all [VOA] correspondents to visit me".
Raluca Lupu, student, 19 years old: "I've been trying to write you for years. Last
year I sent you a letter but I am sure you never received it. I want to thank you from
the bottom of my soul for the work of all those who do the broadcasts of VOA.
Your broadcasts were the only possible source of "oxygen" that we had -- otherwise
we would have perished in the poisonous atmosphere of lies, suspicion, hate and
terror in which we lived. The warm voices of the announcers let us forget for a time
the troubles that plagued us. We knew by these broadcasts that another way of life
exists, not one in darkness or in the cold, without food, without hot water, cheated
by a criminal [political] party [the Communists]. To all of you, our thanks."
Daniel Mates, Turda (Cluj), high school student: "I am an avid listener to Voice of
America. I have a lot of respect for you because during the revolution you kept us
abreast of the situation in the country, doing everything possible and successfully
extending the hours of broadcast."
Aurelian Goran, Brasov: "I have been one of your listeners for many years Thank
you from the bottom of my heart Your voices have come from far away in America
but have been very close to us from the human standpoint."
Sorin Pescarus, Mures, unemployed invalid: "Because I know you for a long time, I
can say that you were the one that told the truth, for years, when we had to listen
to you in hiding and in fear. But you, VOA, were on the side of the people who
suffered so much. Now, when I hope the mail is free and uncensored, I make bold
to write you. I wanted to write you for years but I was afraid that the letters would
not reach you."
Silvius Buimistru, Lungari-lasi, age 22: "I have been a VOA listener for a long time.
VOA is truly a voice that merits being listened to. At the beginning I was a bit
mistrustful of what I was hearing on the medium-wave radio but then I became
convinced that what I was hearing was the truth and only the truth. I was really
impressed with your broadcasts on December 17-18 that carried tapes recorded in
Timisoara, when we heard women crying, "Romanians, you Romanians"- I wept
for the dead and wounded of Timisoara, not knowing I would soon be weeping for
those in Bucharest. Today, Romania is a place of tears, tears of pain but of joy
also And when I write you about those first days I weep again, thinking of the
brave school children who left home and marched against the tanks, knowing that
they would never return."
DOUG GAMBLE
424- 36th Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
March 16/90
(213) 546-6409
TO: KRISTEN GEAR
3 Pages
JOINT CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES (Mark Davis)
DECLINEOFWASH.
WHEN I TOLD BARBARA I'D BE ADDRESSING A GROUP OF INTELLECTUALS, SHE SAID
"II GUESS THAT MEANS YOU'RE MAKING ANOTHER OUT-OF-TOWN SPEECH."
WHEN I CONSIDER THINK TANKS IT REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING ONCE SAID BY THE
BRITISH PHILOSOPHER BERTRAND RUSSELL: "MOST PEOPLE WOULD SOONER DIE THAN
THINK, AND IN FACT THEY DO SO."
DAVID BRODER AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THAT WASHINGTON IS LOSING INFLUENCE AS A
POWER CENTER, THAT INTEREST IS SHIFTING TO OTHER WORLD CAPITALS. I WAS GOING
TO ASK JOHN SUNUNU IF HE THOUGHT THAT WAS TRUE, BUT HE WAS IN MOSCOW APPLYING
FOR A NEW JOB AS GORBACHEV'S CHIEF OF STAFF.
After theme
I WAS UP ALL NIGHT PREPARING FOR THIS SPEECH. I WATCHED "OUT OF AFRICA"
THREE TIMES.
more
. 2 -
DOUG GAMBLE
TO: KRISTEN GEAR (CONT'D)
NATIONAL ASSOC. OF BROADCASTERS (Mark Davis)
I WAS THRILLED WHEN I HEARD YOU WERE HONORING THE HONEYMOONERS. BARBARA
COULDN'T MAKE IT, BUT 1 GUESS ONE HONEYMOONER IS BETTER THAN NONE.
I'M SUCH A BIG HONEYMOONERS FAN, EVERY TIME I SIGN A BILL I'M TEMPTED TO WARM
UP BY WAVING MY WRISTS OVER THE PAPER THE WAY ART CARNEY DID.
SOMEONE TOLD ME I'D BE FOLLOWED LATER BY THE GRATEFUL DEAD. I WASN'T SURE
IF THAT REFERRED TO THE ROCK GROUP OR MY AUDIENCE.
IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE FROM NBC, I HOPE YOU'LL BE NICE TO ME. I'M ONE OF THE
FEW REMAINING VIEWERS OF THE "TODAY" SHOW.
I DIDN'T MIND WHEN A REPORTER CALLED YESTERDAY TO ASK IF I THOUGHT AMERICANS
ARE WATCHING FEWER QUALITY SHOWS ON TELEVISION, BUT SHE INTERRUPTED ME IN THE
MIDDLE OF A "DUKES OF HAZZARD "RERUN.
IF YOU NOTICE ME STUMBLING AND TAKING A LOT OF PRATFALLS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS,
DON'T WORRY. IT'S JUST THAT I'M TRYING TO GET ON "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME
VIDEOS." (#1 show)
I NOTICE THAT TED TURNER HAS BEEN DATING JANE FONDA LATELY. (True) I FIGURED
THAT WAS THE CASE WHEN I HEARD CNN IS PLANNING A NEW SHOW CALLED "THE BERNARD
SHAW WORKOUT."
MORE...
- 3 -
DOUG GAMBLE
TO: KRISTEN GEAR - BROADCASTERS (CONT'D)
I DON'T KNOW IF JANE FONDA IS HAVING ANY INFLUENCE ON CNN, BUT THE LAST
TIME I TUNED IN "THE CAPITAL GANG," BOB NOVAK HAD BEEN REPLACED BY KIM
NOVAK.
I HEAR THAT BEFORE CBS BROUGHT ANDY ROONEY BACK, THEY WERE CONSIDERING A
COMPROMISE WHERE HE'D BE BACK ON THE AIR BUT NOBODY WOULD SEE HIM. BUT ANDY
DECIDED HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE ON "SATURDAY NIGHT WITH CONNIE CHUNG."
(One of CBS' lowest-rated rated shows.)
Remarks by
VACLAV HAVEL
President of Czecholoslovakia
to the
CZECHOSLOVAK SERVICE OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA
February 20, 1990
I would like to thank the Czech and Slovak broadcasting service of the
Voice of America for its work. For many years, it has been the most
listened-to Czechoslovak radio station.
You have informed us truthfully of events around the world and in our
country as well and, in this way, you helped to bring about the peaceful
revolution which has at long last taken place.
However, by this I don't intend to say that your work has now lost its
meaning. On the contrary, it now has taken on a new meaning. You will
have to inform us about how to create democracy, because we are now
beginning to build it, to renew it after many long decades, and we have a
lot to learn.
CEAU SESCU
(NICOLAE)
2
Chiss Winston
high Definition TV
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N.A.B. Rony Benster friend ecoman of Dane
429 5446
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Absolutely CRITICA to Romonia
a wheau in Budaped, Wansaw,
They have nothing approarling
Prague- Ouch 60% aduct listeness in Romania
still listen to us- But even we
don't give them that - REE
CROSS REPORDING
FACTS, not edulouatyn
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Now, what is new mission? May
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Ken Thonpon
an ever undering circle of Knowlege
DRESSPEACE CORPS
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Radio + Television Brd.
247,300
Radio Broadcast
122,906
Television
124,400
[177] May 8
Public Papers of the Presidents
John F. Kennedy, 1961
May 8 [178]
177 Remarks at the Presentation of NASA's Distinguished Service
8
Address at the 39th Annual Convention of the National
Medal to Astronaut Alan B. Shepard. May 8, 1961
Association of Broadcasters.
May 8, 1961
Ladies and gentlemen:
priate that in this success that their work
Governor Collins, Bishop Hannan, ladies
but also those who were involved with the
I want to express on behalf of all of us
should be acknowledged.
and gentlemen:
program. Because this is a free society, and
the great pleasure we have in welcoming
And I also want to take cognizance of the
We have with us today the Nation's num-
because we therefore take our chances out
Commander Shepard and Mrs. Shepard here
fact that this flight was made out in the
ber one television performer, who I think on
in the open, of success or failure, all those
today. I think they know as citizens of this
open with all the possibilities of failure,
last Friday morning secured the largest rat-
who were part of the program, who were
great country how proud we are of him,
which would have been damaging to our
ing of any morning show in recent history.
involved in the decisions which made the
what satisfaction we take in his accomplish-
country's prestige. Because great risks were
[Laughter]
program possible, who were involved in the
ment, what a service he has rendered our
taken in that regard, it seems to me that we
I must say, I think all of us as citizens
very public decision which made the very
country. And we are also very proud of
have some right to claim that this open
of the free world are extremely proud not
public flight possible on Friday morning,
Mrs. Shepard.
society of ours which risked much, gained
only of Commander Shepard, but also of
were also in hazard. And while their task
I know that the other members of this
much.
Mrs. Shepard-and perhaps with the Vice
did not in any manner approach that of the
team who are astronauts know that our pride
Now I want to give this award.
President they would come forward. [Loud
Commander, nevertheless it is a very real
in them is equal. They have been part of
"The National Aeronautics and Space
and prolonged applause]
one, and it is the kind of risk which mem-
this effort from the beginning. Commander
Administration awards to Alan B. Shepard,
Commander Shepard: How do you get
bers of a free society must take.
Shepard has pointed out from the time that
Jr., the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
them to stop? We only have time for a
There had been before the flight, as you
this flight began and from the time this flight
for outstanding contributions to space tech-
few words here, because I understand we
know, a good many members of our com-
was a success, that this was a common effort
nology. His flight as the first United States
have a rather busy day ahead of us. I just
munity who felt that we should not take
in which a good many men were involved.
astronaut was an outstanding contribution
want to say, thank you very much for such
that chance. But I see no way out of it. I
I think it does credit to him that he is associ-
to the advancement of human knowledge
a warm welcome.
don't see how it's possible for us to keep
ated with such a distinguished group of
of space technology, and a demonstration of
THE PRESIDENT: I must say I think the
these matters private, unless we decide on
Americans whom we are all glad to honor
man's capabilities in sub-orbital space flight.
presence of Commander Shepard and also
the highest national level that all matters
today, his companions in the flight into outer
Signed and sealed in Washington this fifth
Mrs. Shepard who I think is—I must say,
which are risky, which carry with them the
space, so I think we want to give them all a
day of May, 1961. James E. Webb, the
when I saw her on television, I had great
hazard of defeat, which could be detrimental
hand. They are the tanned and healthy
Administrator of NASA, and Hugh L.
satisfaction as a fellow citizen. I must say
to our society-that none of them will be
ones-the others are Washington employees!
Dryden, the Deputy Administrator of
we are delighted to have them all. It's a
printed in the paper or carried on radio and
I also want to pay particular tribute to
NASA."
great source of satisfaction and pride to us.
television.
some of the people who worked on this
This is a civilian award for a great civilian
I said this morning, when I read off the
The essence of free communication must
flight: Robert Gilruth, Director of the Space
accomplishment, and therefore I want to
names of some of the other people who have
be that our failures as well as our successes
Task Force at Langley Field; Walter Wil-
again express my congratulations to Alan
been involved in this flight-Mr. Webb, who
will be broadcast around the world. And
liams, the Operations Director of Project
Shepard. We are very proud of him, and
is head of NASA, and Dr. Dryden, and all
therefore we take double pride in our
Mercury; the NASA Deputy Administrator,
I speak on behalf of the Vice President, who
the rest-I said that they were names which
successes.
Dr. Hugh Dryden; Lt. Col. John H. Glenn,
is Chairman of our Space Council and who
were rather unknown. If this flight had not
I am delighted that there are members
Jr.-and of course, James Webb, who is head
bears great responsibilities in this field, and
been successful, however, they would have
here of your profession who are not citizens
of NASA.
the Members of the House and Senate Space
been among the best known names in the
of this country but who come from our
Most of these names are unfamiliar, but
Committee who are with us today.
United States. So that even I, who had
hemisphere. I hope that they understand
if this flight had not been an overwhelming
nothing to do with the flight, would have
that we share a fraternal feeling with them,
NOTE: The President spoke in the Rose Garden at
success, these names would be very familiar
the White House.
become very much identified with it.
that we are engaged in a common effort to
to everyone. So I think it is very appro-
So that I do express my commendation to
maintain freedom here in this hemisphere,
Commander Shepard and also his fellow
and to assist freedom throughout the world.
astronauts who all involved themselves in
And it has been our fortune to be placed
the hazards and the discipline of the work,
in positions of responsibility-all of us-at
366
367
[178] May 8
Public Papers of the Presidents
John F. Kennedy, 1961
May 8 [178]
a time when freedom is under its greatest
East, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe.
We will face challenge after challenge, as
destiny, with the strongest force in the
attack.
They use the secrecy of the totalitarian state
the communists armed with all the resources
world today.
I know that to those who live in some
and the discipline to mask the effective use
and advantage of the police state attempt to
The great inner resource of freedom, the
parts of this country and some parts of the
of guerrilla forces secretly undermining inde-
shift the balance of power in their direction.
resource which has kept the world's oldest
world, that the discipline of the totalitarian
pendent states, and to hide a wide interna-
But despite this, I do not believe that the
democracy continually young and vital, the
system has some attraction. I called atten-
tional network of agents and activities which
tide of history is on the side of despotism.
resource which has always brought us our
tion at my press conference more than a week
threaten the fabric of democratic govern-
I do not believe that the tide of history neces-
greatest exploits in time of our greatest
ago to a comment made by a student in
ment everywhere in the world. And their
sarily is on either side. It is only what we
need, is the very fact of the open society.
Paris, an African student, after the extraor-
single-minded effort to destroy freedom is
decide ourselves we will do-which direc-
Thus, if we are once again to preserve our
dinary flight of Major Gagarin, in which
strengthened by the discipline, the secrecy,
tion we will turn the tide of history-that
civilization, it will be because of our free-
the student said, "The Russians don't talk
and the swiftness with which an efficient
we can be successful.
dom, and not in spite of it. That is why
about things, they do them, and then we
despotism can move. In addition, the ability
For we bring to the battle our own re-
I am here with you today. For the flow of
hear about them."
of a totalitarian state to mobilize all of its
sources, the particular advantages of a free
ideas, the capacity to make informed choices,
It is difficult for me to believe that any
resources for the service of the state, what-
society-advantages which our adversaries
the ability to criticise, all the assumptions
young man or woman, or any citizen who
ever the human cost, has great attraction for
cannot match, advantages which if vigor-
upon which political democracy rests, de-
understands the real meaning of freedom,
those who live on the marginal edge of
ously used offer hope for the ultimate tri-
pend largely upon communication. And
who recognizes that freedom is at issue
existence, fired with a strong feeling of an-
umph of freedom.
you are the guardians of the most powerful
around the globe, could possibly hold that
cient wrongs and grievances, a feeling which
On our side is the simple and all-im-
and effective means of communication ever
view.
is tirelessly exploited by our adversaries-
portant fact that men want to be free, and
designed.
I feel, as a believer in freedom, as well as
the people who live on an income of sixty or
nations want to be their own masters. It
In the rest of the world this power can
President of the United States, that we want
seventy or eighty dollars a year-the example
is this fact that helps to explain why no na-
be used to describe the true nature of the
a world in which the good and the bad,
of the Soviet Union which in the short space
tion in the past decade-with the possible
struggle, and to give a true and responsible
successes or failures, the aspirations of peo-
of forty years has transformed itself from
exception of Cuba, where a social revolution
picture of a free society. And in addition,
ple, their desires, their disagreements, their
being among the most backward countries of
was betrayed, and where the story is not yet
broadcasting has new and untried possibili-
dissent, their agreements, whether they serve
Europe to being a leader in space, has power-
finally ended-has fallen under communist
ties for education, for helping to end illit-
the interest of the state or not, should be
ful attraction.
rule without being subdued by armed force.
eracy, which holds back so much of the
made public, should be part of the general
Once a state succumbs, however, to this
It is this fact that explains the courageous
world and which denies access to the infor-
understanding of all people.
attraction, to the lure of communism, to the
revolution against hopeless odds in Poland,
mation so vital to a free and informed choice.
And that is why I was particularly anxious
lure of totalitarianism-even for a mo-
and East Germany, and Hungary, and
The full development of broadcasting as an
to come here today. There is no means of
ment-resistance is then crushed, opposition
Tibet-revolutions that would have suc-
instrument of education is one of the most
communication as significant as that in
is destroyed, and despotic power is main-
ceeded if alien armies had not been present
significant challenges which confronts your
which you are involved: to hear, to see, to
tained even when finally the people may
to put them down.
industry. And here in our own country
listen.
realize they have been cruelly misled-and
It is this fact that explains why the pov-
this power can be used, as it is being used, to
And you have the opportunity to play a
the steady stream of refugees out of Viet-
erty-stricken nations of this hemisphere and
tell our people of the perils and the chal-
significant role in the defense of freedom
Minh in the north, out of Eastern Germany,
Africa, filled with discontent in some cases,
lenges and the opportunities that we face-
all around the globe.
out of Cuba, all indicate the real nature of
and social tensions, bearing the memory of
of the effort and painful choices which the
Our adversaries in this struggle against
their society once it has assumed control.
past wrongs, have still not succumbed to the
coming years will demand. For the history
freedom-and they are not national adver-
On this path thus far there has been no
lure of communism.
of this nation is a tribute to the ability of an
saries, we have no national disagreements,
turning back. There can be no doubt, there-
And it is this fact that is man's best hope.
informed citizenry to make the right choices
what is involved is the great struggle for
fore, that this determined and powerful
For our nation is on the side of man's de-
in response to danger, and if you play your
freedom, and our adversaries in that struggle
system will subject us to many tests of nerve
sire to be free, and the desire of nations to
part, if the immense powers of broadcasting
possess many advantages. Their forces press
and will in the coming years-in Berlin, in
be independent. And thus we are allied, if
are used to illuminate the new and subtle
down upon us, on the borders of the Middle
Asia, in the Middle East, in this hemisphere.
we are true to ourselves and true to our
problems which our nation faces-if your
368
369
[178] May 8
Public Papers of the Presidents
John F. Kennedy, 1961
May 9 [180]
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: Thank you, goodbye.
strength is used to reinforce the great
future we can share that faith which
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Well, you take care
strengths which freedom brings, then I am
Winston Churchill expressed more than a
of yourself, and we look forward to seeing
NOTE: The President's call was made from the
Signal Corps studios at the White House at 3:36
confident that our people and our nation,
half-century ago, "Humanity will not be
you soon here in Washington.
President Truman was being honored by
and all other people and all other nations
cast down."
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: I'll be there.
p.m. more than 200 friends at a birthday party in the
will again rise to the great challenges of the
We are going along, along the same high
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: We're taking good
grand ballroom of the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas
sixties.
care of your House.
City, Mo.
road, and already behind the distant moun-
No man can hope to prophesy with pre-
tains the sun can be seen-and will be seen
cision the outcome of the great struggle in
again.
which our generation is now engaged. Yet
That is your opportunity-and that is a
Special
Message
to
the
Congress
Transmitting
Reorganization
180
we do know that the cause of human free-
responsibility which all of us who are citi-
Plan 4 of 1961. May 9, 1961
dom has been threatened on many occasions
zens of the free world must once again meet.
view any such decision, report or certifica-
since the system of free choice and democracy
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan
tion either upon its own initiative or upon
was developed in sunlit Greece more than
NOTE: The President spoke at the Sheraton-Park
Hotel in Washington. His opening words "Gov-
ernor Collins, Bishop Hannan" referred to LeRoy
No. 4 of 1961, prepared in accordance with
the petition of a party or intervenor demon-
twenty-four hundred years ago. And yet
from each threat and indeed from each de-
the Reorganization Act of 1949, as amended,
strating to the satisfaction of the Commis-
Collins, former Governor of Florida, President of
sion the desirability of having the matter
feat, as well as from each success, it has
the National Association of Broadcasters, and The
and providing for reorganization in the
Most Reverend Philip M. Hannan, Auxiliary Bishop
reviewed at the top level.
ultimately emerged unconquered.
of Washington, D.C.
Federal Trade Commission.
Provision is also made, in order to main-
That is why in the face of an ominous
This Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1961
follows upon my message of April 13, 1961
tain the fundamental bi-partisan concept ex-
to the Congress of the United States. It is
plicit in the basic statute creating the Com-
mission, for mandatory review of any such
179 Greetings Telephoned to President Truman on the Occasion of
believed that the taking effect of the reor-
decision, report or certification upon the
His 77th Birthday. May 8, 1961
ganizations included in this plan will pro-
vote of a majority of the Commission less
vide for greater efficiency in the dispatch
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: Well, I'll tell you how
of the business of the Federal Trade
one member.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Hello, Mr. President,
Inasmuch as the assignment of delegated
how are you?
I did that. I did just what you are doing,
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: Well, I'm all right.
Commission. The plan provides for greater flexibility in
functions in particular cases and with ref-
try to make the right decision and forget
erence to particular problems to divisions of
Having a great time and they're giving me
about it, and that's what you have to do.
the handling of the business before the Com-
the Commission, to Commissioners, to hear-
too much to cat and too much to do.
And then sleep over it at night and forget
mission, permitting its disposition at dif-
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Listen-I want to
about it.
ferent levels so as better to promote its
ing examiners, to employees and boards of
congratulate you on this great anniver-
efficient dispatch. Thus matters both of an
employees must require continuous and flex-
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Well, listen-I'm de-
ible handling, depending both upon the
sary
lighted-I had lunch with the Vice President
adjudicatory and regulatory nature may,
amount and nature of the business, that func-
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: Well, you're very kind
and some of your friends who are Governors,
depending upon their importance and their
indeed
complexity, be finally consummated by di-
tion is placed in the Chairman by section 2
Governor Lawrence and the rest, and they
visions of the Commission, individual Com-
of the plan.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Well, I must say
all wanted to join me in congratulating you.
missioners, hearing examiners, and, subject
By providing sound organizational ar-
that
We are all great rooters of yours, Mr.
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: I've always hoped
President.
to the provisions of section 7(a) of the Ad-
rangements, the taking effect of the reor-
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: You are just as kind
ministrative Procedure Act (60 Stat. 241),
ganizations included in the accompanying
that after I was 70, they would forget about
by other employees. This will relieve the
reorganization plan will make possible more
these birthdays, but they don't seem to do it.
as you can be, and I more than appreciate it.
economical and expeditious administration
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: I don't understand
PRESIDENT KENNEDY: Well, you take-
Commissioners from the necessity of deal-
of the affected functions. It is, however,
how you can look so well, after having spent
PRESIDENT TRUMAN: You're better to me
ing with many matters of lesser importance
than I deserve.
and thus conserve their time for the con-
impracticable to itemize at this time the re-
7 years here.
sideration of major matters of policy and
ductions of expenditures which it is probable
will be brought about by such taking effect.
planning. There is, however, reserved to
After investigation, I have found and
the Commission as a whole the right to re-
37
37°
Herbert Hoover, 1931
Oct. 26 [376]
its
376
Radio Remarks to the Annual Convention
of the National Association of Broadcasters.
October 26, 1931
IT GIVES ME great pleasure to greet the ninth annual convention of
er 23, 1931]
the National Association of Broadcasters meeting this week in Detroit.
As Secretary of Commerce I had the pleasure of wide acquaintance with
the members of the
the purposes of your association in the Annual National Radio Confer-
enty-fifth anniversary,
ences which were called at that time for the development of the national
ce in behalf of spiritual
policies in relation to radio.
The decisions reached at that early date have been of unending im-
ERBERT HOOVER
portance. The determination that radio channels were public property
Y.]
and should be controlled by the Government; the determination that
we should not have governmental broadcasting supported by a tax upon
October 25, 1931.
the listener, but that we should give license to use of these channels
under private enterprise where there would be no restraint upon pro-
grams, has secured for us far greater variety of programs and excellence
of service without cost to the listener. This decision has avoided the
pitfalls of political and social conflicts in the use of speech over the
radio which would have been involved in Government broadcasting.
It has preserved free speech to the country.
These principles are now strongly imbedded in our law and in our
er 23, 1931]
entire public system. The industry has constantly faced new and com-
our husband, Fletcher
plex problems in developing policies and practices abreast of develop-
seen of great service to
ment and need. Your association has contributed greatly to their solu-
ity made him a highly
tion. I am confident that you recognize the responsibility which rests
: nation. Mrs. Hoover
upon you in public interest. It is needless to mention the many-sided
est sympathy in your
importance of radio in modern life. Its dissemination of entertainment,
of knowledge, and of public opinion and topics of the public welfare,
ERBERT HOOVER
has become an essential element in the intellectual development of our
Street, East Orange, N.J.]
country. It has brought most of the supposed values which were formerly
available exclusively to life in the cities to every home throughout the
the House of Representa-
land, for the treasures of music, of entertainment, and of information
507
[377] Oct. 26
Public Papers of the Presidents
have been brought to the loneliest farm and the most remote hamlet.
378
It is an incalculable extension of happiness and contentment.
I extend to you my most cordial greetings and good wishes for your
The President's
meeting, with the confidence that you will develop still further policies
October 27, 1931
of sound management and public service.
NOTE: The President spoke at 12 noon from the Cabinet Room in the White House
to the convention in Convention.Hall in Detroit, Mich. The National Broadcasting
THE PRESIDENT. O1
Company carried the President's remarks.
this morning, we
A reading copy of this item with holograph changes by the President is available
length. We have
for examination at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
policies in the matt
of the Philippines
377
by every President
takings, the proble
Exchange of Messages With Prime Minister Laval
people, the time el
on His Departure From the United States.
be assured of durab
October 26, 1931
assured of stability
Philippines must b
ON BEHALF of the American people I bid you bon voyage on your
cessful. Independe
return to France from this memorable visit to the United States. It has
would result in the
afforded me much pleasure to welcome you among us and I personally
collapse of all econ
appreciate the cordial contacts resulting from our conversations.
consideration to the
HERBERT HOOVER
[His Excellency Pierre Laval, President of the Council of Ministers of France,
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City]
I have some qu
NOTE: Prime Minister Laval's response to the President's message, dated October
Association and its
27, 1931, follows:
about it as yet, but
I wish to express to you my gratitude for your kind telegram. I am returning
a meeting on Satur
to France greatly pleased with our cordial conversations and I feel confident that
and the President 0
their results will be beneficial to the cause of French American relations, as well at
to world reconstruction. May I ask you to convey to Mrs. Hoover my profound
of Chicago is the (
respects and my appreciation for her great kindness to my daughter. I beg you tc
York, who is the P
accept my most sincere gratitude for your personal hospitality as well as for the wel
They reported that
come that I received in the United States.
the necessary assoc:
Respectfully yours,
that they had no
PIERRE LAVAL
far as minimum sul
[President Herbert Hoover, The White House, Washington, D.C.]
are already interest
508
[129]
Mar.
25
Public Papers of the Presidents
Richard Nixon, 1969
Mar. 25 [129]
129
Remarks at the Convention of the National Association
that objective of a peace that will be one
stallations around the country. I think all
of Broadcasters. March 25, 1969
that will not just be for the year or 2 years,
of you will understand the next point that
but for the foreseeable future in the Pa-
I will make particularly well.
Mr. President, all distinguished guests at
istration, and in attempting to be candid
cific and in the world—that kind of peace.
Two or three weeks ago, I noted con-
the head table, Mr. Pace, and all of the
and honest with regard to the great issues
But in talking of what we do with
siderable criticism of the administration
distinguished members of this audience:
in which you are vitally interested.
regard to our troop strength there, I think
because we had not, at the time that I
As you know, I am an added starter to-
I think if we were to pick one issue of
all of you know that at this particular time
was in Paris, announced that we were
day, and I was just saying to Frank Pace
all the others that the American people
as an offensive is going on, and as negotia-
starting private talks with the enemy in
that I would not infringe too much on
have an interest in, it is Vietnam. On that
tions are beginning, it is vitally important
order to negotiate those areas of difference
his time, because I know he is your sched-
issue, on television, on radio, and in the
that the United States maintain its posi-
and bring the day of peace closer.
uled speaker.
newspapers, day after day, we hear
tion of strength until we have reason to
Now let me be quite candid. As far as
I sometimes have been in the position
speculation. We read it, about what is
believe that a reduction on our part would
any negotiated peace is concerned, it will
where somebody else came and infringed
happening in Vietnam, what is happen-
also have a major contribution in bring-
come from private rather than public talks
on my time, so I understand how this goes.
ing on the battlefield, but more important,
ing about a reduction on their part.
because where both sides-and I am
As I stand before you today, I have
what is happening at the negotiating
So while I would like to make news
referring now particularly to the North
spoken in this room many times before,
tables.
here, while I would like to leave impres-
Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese-
before many distinguished audiences. It
I want you to know what my belief is
sions that would go flashing out across the
have a problem of prestige and a problem
isn't just because you are here, but only
about the conduct of this war, about the
country about what is going to happen, in
of face among many others involved, that
because it is a matter of fact and a state-
negotiations, and about the prospects.
a hopeful way, I can only say-and I do
kind of negotiation cannot take place in a
ment of truth that this is without question
What I say will not give you, perhaps, as
not say this in any partisan sense, because
goldfish bowl with communiqués every
one of the most powerful groups that I
much hope as you might like to hear. But
I have been one that has supported, as
day, because there the tendency always
could address in the Nation.
what I say, I believe, is in the best interests
you know, as a Republican, the efforts of
is to speak to their people at home, but
I speak both from an objective stand-
of the result, and the result is ending the
our Nation in Vietnam-that I believe
more than that to the people of the world,
point, as I analyze the great influence
war on a basis that will promote real
there has been too much of a tendency to
and to simply repeat the old rhetoric.
that your organizations can have on the
peace in the Pacific.
speak of peace being just around the
Most of the progress that has been made
thinking of the American people, and I
I could stand before you today and talk
corner, the boys may be coming home in
today in bringing about talks in a public
speak from a personal standpoint. Cer-
rather optimistically about the prospect
a matter of a few months, and thereby
forum has come from private talks.
tainly I am the world's living expert on
of bringing boys home from Vietnain at a
raising those optimistic feelings in the
So, I can tell you that it is our convic-
what television can do for a candidate,
time when a Communist offensive is at a
minds of people without justification, and
tion and our belief that it is through pri-
and what it can do to a candidate as well.
high peak. I can tell you that it will be
then dashing them.
vate talks with the North Vietnamese and
Having spoken of television, I don't
the objective of this administration to
We shall not do this in this administra-
others involved that real progress toward
mean to downgrade radio. We found it a
bring men home from Vietnam just as
tion. We may not make the headlines of
peace will be made.
very useful medium in the last campaign.
soon as the military situation, the diplo-
today, but what we are interested in are
But, if private talks are to be private,
While that is not the purpose of my re-
matic situation, and the training of the
the results of tomorrow. I believe that is
they must be private. Consequently, if I
marks here today, I can only say that,
South Vietnamese forces will enable us
what you are interested in, and that is
am asked-and this is true of the Secre-
looking to the future, I can only see
to do so.
why we are going to follow this very
tary of State and it is true of the Secretary
growth and excitement in the tremen-
But I can also tell you that I think it is
candid and honest discussion insofar as
of Defense, and my instructions to every-
dously interesting ventures in which you
not in the interests of the Nation for the
our hopes are concerned.
body in this administration-as to
are engaged.
President of the United States to stand
Now I realize that in this room are not
whether private talks have begun, as to
It occurred to me that what might be
before any audience and to raise hopes
the broadcasters and the reporters—I
when they will begin, as to what has OC-
useful for you in brief remarks of this
and then disappoint them. So I will only
mean by that the commentators and the
curred, we will say nothing. Because the
type would be for me to share some of the
tell you today what our objective is.
reporters and all of the rest-but you are
moment we tell you, any of you-and let
problems that a President has in attempt-
I will tell you, looking toward the
the managers, the people on the business
me say the questions are always proper,
ing to run what we call an open admin-
future, I think we are going to achieve
side of the great television and radio in-
sometimes the answers would not be ap-
246
247
[129] Mar. 25
Public Papers of the Presidents
Richard Nixon, 1969
Mar. 25 [129]
propriate on our part-but I can only say
tem which I have talked about. I am
that decision might not have been made
or in the next, I never want the President
that if we are to make progress in private
not here to twist your arms or to attempt
or it would have been much more dan-
of the United States, when he sits down
talks they must be private.
to influence you one way or another. All
gerous to make.
at a conference table, to be in a second-
Therefore, to disclose when and where
of you, as far as that system, the defense
Now, what has happened from 1962
rate position as far as the strength of the
and what and how in any degree would
of the country, in all of these matters, must
to 1969? Since that time the Soviet Union
United States is concerned. [Applause]
not serve the interests of peace. Now,
examine the evidence and then make your
has widened the gap in conventional
I am not suggesting that that means we
again, I realize that it would raise hopes.
own decisions with regard to what is in
weapons which they have always had in
embark on an arms race. I am not sug-
It would make a good headline, and a
the best interests of the Nation.
Western Europe. They have rapidly
gesting that that means that we go for-
good first 2 minutes on the evening show,
But I would like to share with you
closed the gap in naval strength, par-
ward in order to regain the four or five to
if I were to indicate that we were proceed-
briefly the considerations that went into
ticularly in the Mediterranean, and they
one superiority that we once had. That
ing in private talks or what was going on.
that decision-not an easy decision. In
have substantially closed the gap in
will not happen. But I am suggesting that
But let me say that that would not serve
fact, the easy decision would have been
strategic weapons. So, we look at that
when we look at those facts, there are some
the long-range interests of bringing peace.
not to make it. The easy decision would
situation today. And in describing it, let
limited actions that the United States, I
I can only assure you that there is no ob-
have been to put it off, to have research
me lay to rest one point of view that I saw
think, should take.
jective of this administration that is
and development, or to indicate that there
expressed in some reaction to Secretary
One involves the ABM Safeguard sys-
higher-and let me say this was also true
was no significant threat, or that it
Laird's testimony. In describing this, this
tem. What this system will do, first, is to
of the other administration, but we are
wouldn't work, or that it really didn't
is no cause for fright.
provide some protection for our deterrent
proceeding in different ways-than to
matter.
The United States is still infinitely
capability, our Minuteman sites. That
bring this war to a conclusion at the
But I can tell you that these were the
strong and powerful. We are still able to
means our second strike capability. This
earliest possible time in a manner that will
factors that we were confronted with
meet any potential threat. But the prob-
was necessary because we found that the
promote real peace.
and which we had to deal with, and
lem that the President of the United
Soviet Union had developed new weapons
We think we are on the right track but
which made it necessary for us to an-
States faces as the Commander in Chief
with greater accuracy, the SS9, that could
we are not going to raise false hopes. We
nounce a hard decision rather than an
and as the one who has the responsibility
take out our hardened Minuteman sites,
are not going to tell you what is going on
easy one. We hope it is the right one. We
to see that our defenses are adequate to
and thereby reduce the credibility of our
in private talks. What we are going to do
is to do our job and then a few months
think it is. That is for you to judge. It
make peaceful diplomacy possible, the
second strike capability.
is for the American people to appraise.
responsibility that he has is to examine not
The credibility of the American second
from now, I think you will look back and
I found when I came to office that in
only what the situation is now but what
strike is essential, diplomatically and also
say we did what was right. If we did what
1962, when the Cuban confrontation oc-
it will be 4 or 5 years from now. And the
in the long range as far as preserving peace
was wrong then it doesn't make any dif-
ference, the headline that we have made
curred, that the balance of power between
decision that I made here and the deci-
in the world. In addition to that, the ABM
the United States and the Soviet Union
sions I will be making on all defense mat-
Safeguard system provides an area de-
today. So, this will be our policy in that
was approximately four or five to one in
ters, I can assure you, will have one con-
fense of the entire United States for any
respect.
our favor. Because of that balance of
sideration only.
attack by the Chinese Communists within
Again, I think that you as negotiators
power in our favor, the President of the
I do not believe that the United States
the next 10 years, or any other nuclear
will recognize the validity of that position.
United States in a very courageous deci-
should threaten any other nation. We are
power which might acquire such weapons
Much as we want an open administra-
sion was able to act in the best interests
not interested in aggression. I do believe,
in that period.
tion, there are times when it is necessary
of the United States and avoid a missile
however, that without the power of the
Let me emphasize what Safeguard does
to have those quiet conversations without
installation 90 miles from our shore.
United States the great hundreds of mil-
not do. There is no way at this time that
publicity in which each side can explore
If the United States had not had that
lions of people who live in the free world
we can safeguard all of the American peo-
the areas of difference and eventually
kind of assurance-not only the assurance
would not have had the assurance of free-
ple through antiballistic missiles against
reach an agreement which then, of course,
of our power but also a recognition that
dom that they have had. In other words,
an attack by a sophisticated major nuclear
publicly will be announced.
those who threatened our security at that
it is the power of the United States that
power like the Soviet Union. But we can
If Frank Pace will indulge me just a
time, the Soviet Union, had a recognition
has avoided a world war and a world
increase the credibility of our second strike
little longer, I understand there has been
on their part that we had that kind of
confrontation.
force by defending our Minuteman sites.
some interest in the ABM Safeguard sys-
strength-if that had not been the case
And whether it is in my administration
On the other hand, when we look at a
248
249
[129] Mar. 25
Public Papers of the Presidents
Richard Nixon, 1969
Mar. 25 [130]
less developed nuclear power with fewer
we be concerned, because assuming 8 or
United States of America, the rest of the
arms limitations, so that we can divert our
missiles, it is possible to develop the area
10 years from now they have 60 or 70 or
world would be, in effect, at the mercy
resources to other areas than those of
defense which will be effective. So, those
80 missiles, and assuming that is the case,
of potential diplomatic aggression, and
destruction.
were the two purposes of making that
no rational man who was the leader of
that is really what is at stake here.
Thank you.
decision.
that country would launch an attack
We have a responsibility. We have met
Now, many questions arise. First, will it
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:25 p.m. in
against the United States knowing that
it ever since World War II, and I be-
Sheraton Hall at the Sheraton-Park Hotel in
work? Those for whom I have great re-
our immense retaliatory power would
lieve that now it is our destiny to con-
Washington. Vincent T. Wasilewski was presi-
spect, including perhaps beyond others the
destroy half of the population of Com-
tinue to meet it, while at the same time-
dent of the National Association of Broad-
Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. [David]
munist China.
and I can assure you we are exploring this
casters, and Frank Pace, Jr., was chairman of
Packard, an expert in this field, say that it
I agree with that analysis. But when
the board of the Corporation for Public Broad-
other road-to pursue every path toward
will. And some indication that it must
we examine history, we find within the last
casting.
peace, and to pursue every path toward
have some meaning is that the Soviet
third of a century that sometimes deci-
Union has deployed 66 of this type of de-
sions by great powers, as well as small, are
fense around Moscow and are now cover-
not made by rational men. Hitler was not
130 Remarks on Accepting the "Sword of Hope" of the
ing not only the threat from the West but
a particularly rational man in some of his
also from Communist China.
military decisions.
American Cancer Society Crusade. March 25, 1969
But in order to guard against plunging
So it is the responsibility of the Presi-
I THANK YOU very much. We are very
that one out of every two who get cancer
into a program that would be a boon-
dent of the United States not only to plan
happy to have this sword among our
can be cured. That is the objective of this
doggle, we have made the decision on a
against the expected, and against what
mementos here at the White House, and
program and that is the program we are
phase basis.
normal and rational men will do, but with-
when we see it we will think of you and
all supporting.
Every year we will examine this new
in a certain area of contingency to plan
your mother and father.
I think you have a very good slogan,
system with the minimal appropriations
against the possibility of an irrational
In accepting this sword and also in
too. As I understand it, it says that the
for this year, which you are aware of, with
attack.
responding to the remarks that have been
people of the United States are told to
three things in mind:
To do all this, having in mind main-
made, I think it is very appropriate to
help fight cancer by getting a checkup
One, progress that may be made on
taining the necessary balance between
open this National Cancer Month with
and sending your check.
arms talks.
security and freedom which is so essential,
some statistics.
In speaking of the checkups, too, I
Two, progress that may be made on the
this we have tried to do. I think the deci-
I was frankly surprised at what had
found another interesting statistic that I
state of the art, whether or not it proves
sion was a correct one.
happened, the progress that had been
think will be of great interest to the Amer-
that it is something that we can do or that
In presenting it to you in this way to-
made, because, like most laymen, I have
ican people, and particularly to the men
we cannot do.
day, as I have presented it previously, I
always felt that when we hear about can-
who are listening to this program. I find
And finally, we shall always examine
can only say and repeat what I have said
cer, it was assumed that it was incurable.
that as far as checkups are concerned, 46
this system in terms of the overall
earlier, that all of us, whatever our parti-
I find that 1½ million have been cured.
percent of all women get annual check-
capability of the United States and our
san affiliations, have one primary goal in
I recall that when I came to the Congress
ups, but only 13 percent of the men.
responsibilities in the world which I have
mind. That is peace in the world-peace
20 years ago, when I first met Mr. Elmer
This is the great deficiency, a gap
described up to this time.
in the world which is the real peace that
Bobst, one of the founders of the na-
which exists there, as far as the checkups
Let me conclude with this final thought:
comes from the kind of security that only
tional Cancer Society, at that time one
are concerned, which reminds me it is
Any of you, and I know many of you
the United States can provide.
out of four were cured.
about time I got my checkup.
have been exposed to briefings on the
I have just met with the Canadian
Since that time, and that is only 20
We do, by participating in this cere-
massive destructive power of nuclear
Prime Minister. I have just completed
years, it is now down to one out of three
mony, want to indicate the Nation's sup-
weapons, must sometimes wonder why
meetings with the heads of government
have been cured of cancer. I understand
port as well as the Government's support
enough isn't enough.
of the major European powers. And I
that if the American Cancer Society's pro-
of this volunteer effort. Over 2 million
As some have put it, with regard to the
have been reminded again of this funda-
grams and other programs for getting
volunteers will be distributing the booklets
potential of a Chinese threat, why should
mental fact: Without the power of the
people to take checkups and also for go-
of the American Cancer Society, telling
ing forward in research are successful,
people the very simple things they can do
250
251
Mar. 25
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1979
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1979
Mar. 25
THE PRESIDENT'S
in some distant city. Broadcasting in those
Tomorrow, I'm submitting to the Con-
new rules every single year. These rules
NEWS CONFERENCE OF
days opened up new worlds to us, just as
gress a comprehensive proposal to reduce,
affect teachers, truckdrivers, broadcast-
it has done for millions of other people.
to rationalize, and to streamline the reg-
ers, farmers, small business, and local gov-
MARCH 25, 1979
All over the world, broadcasting is
ulatory burden throughout American life.
ernment. But no one had stopped to say,
Held in Dallas, Texas
helping to break down barriers of time
And I want to speak to you very briefly
"Does each of these rules make sense?
and distance, of misunderstanding and
about that legislation today.
Does it do the job? How much does it
THE PRESIDENT. Thank you, President
mistrust, of hatred, that have separated
The call for regulatory reform is not a
cost, and is there a cheaper way to achieve
Wasilewski. Dr. Stevens, Mayor Folsom,
and divided the world's people one from
demand that all regulation be abolished;
goals just as effectively?"
officers and members of the National As-
another. I wonder whether the people of
it's a call for common sense. And I be-
The FCC now requires 18 million man-
sociation of Broadcasters, friends:
Israel and Egypt would have taken that
lieve that most Americans do support re-
hours each year from broadcasters to fill
This afternoon, instead of giving a long
final step towards peace and reconcilia-
sponsible regulation to provide equal op-
out the paperwork imposed by its rules
speech, I thought I would make just a few
tion had they not been able to see the
portunity for employment, a clean envi-
and regulations. Perhaps you've noticed
brief remarks and then turn the rest of
faces of each other on television or heard
ronment, safe drugs and food, a healthy
this already. [Laughter] But Chairman
the time over to you for questions.
the voices of each other on radio, when
workplace, and a competitive market-
Charlie Ferris is working to reduce that
I think it's only fair for a change that
there was a prospect for peace and they
place.
load through a zero-based review of every
an elected official offer the broadcasting
saw within their own hearts, through the
broadcast medium, that others in a coun-
Because of responsible regulation, the
FCC rule and regulation.
industry equal time. [Laughter]
air we breathe is cleaner today; our auto-
I know that he will succeed in this
It's hard for me to believe that less
try that was completely distant and alien
mobiles are safer and they burn less gaso-
effort to reduce paperwork. He has my
than 60 years ago, our country was served
also were willing to take a chance on peace
line; millions of American workers have
full support. And he also, of course, needs
and an end to war.
by only three full-time radio stations, or
won new protections against injury and
your support.
that only 30 years ago, television was a
And tomorrow, broadcasting will bring
cancer. And I understand that for the
For too many Americans, today's con-
fledgling pioneer which most people ex-
to the entire world a truly historic sight:
first time in 20 years, fish are now swim-
tact with government at every level means
pected to fail.
Prime Minister Menahem Begin and
ming in places like the Connecticut River
a bewildering mass of paperwork, bu-
Today, you bind America together
President Anwar Sadat signing a treaty
and the Houston Ship Channel. Both the
reaucracy, and delay. And the costs of
of peace.
with instant communications. You shape
American people and I, as President, are
compliance with government regulations
our culture, our language, our perception
determined to continue the progress that
REGULATORY REFORM
has been steadily on the rise. It eats up
of ourselves, and our understanding of
we've made toward these social goals.
productivity and capital for new invest-
the entire world.
I believe the public interest can best be
Our challenge is to pursue the legiti-
ment. It adds to inflation, and the burdens
What you see and say and show is real-
served by a broadcasting industry which
mate goals of regulation in ways that are
often fall most heavily on those who are
ity for millions of Americans. They may
is healthy, independent, and diverse. And
rational, predictable, and effective. For
least able to bear those burdens-small
never visit Jerusalem in Israel, or Cairo
I will also continue to support vigorously
far too long, we have acted as if we could
businesses, local government, nonprofit
in Egypt, never set foot on the Moon,
opportunities for minority ownership and
throw another law or another rule at
organizations.
never even go to Washington, D.C., or
a strong public broadcasting system free
every problem in our society without
come here to Texas. But the people of
from political control.
Our society's resources in this country
thinking seriously about the consequences
are vast, but they are certainly not in-
our country know what these places look
I applaud the hard work and the lead-
of it.
like, and they participate in important
finite. Americans are willing to spend a
ership of your chairman, Don Thurston,
events because of the communications
When I came to Washington a little
fair share of those resources to achieve
on behalf of the NAB minority ownership
you provide.
fund. My administration will continue to
more than 2 years ago, I found a regu-
social goals through regulation, but they
When I grew up, we had no electricity
work with the FCC and the Congress to
latory assembly line which churned out
want their money's worth. They will not
on our farm or in our home. And I re-
encourage diversity and independence in
new rules, paperwork, regulations, and
support-and I will not permit-need-
member vividly sitting outdoors at night
your industry, instead of Government
forms without plan, without direction
less rules, excessive costs, duplication,
with my family gathered around a bat-
paperwork and controls.
and, seemingly, without supervision or
overlap, and waste.
tery-powered radio, hooked to the battery
As broadcasters, you have a special sen-
control.
It's time that we take control of Fed-
in my father's car, listening to the news
sitivity both to the benefits and to the
With the best of intentions, 90 separate
eral regulations in America, instead of
or Glenn Miller or a political convention
burdens of Government regulation.
regulatory agencies were issuing 7,000
regulations continuing to control us. As
482
483
Mar. 25
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1979
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1979
Mar. 25
President, I take the management of the
have used that example even if I had
the Government in energy prices, as you
We've already made a great deal of
regulatory process as seriously as I do the
grown soybeans and wheat, by the way.
know. And by September of 1981, the
progress. In the health field, for instance,
goals it's intended to achieve.
[Laughter]
present authority for regulation of oil
HEW has already eliminated more than
The legislation which I will submit to
And finally, this legislation will open up
prices expires. Any additional income that
300 specific reports that have to be
Congress tomorrow will continue and
the rulemaking process. It will ensure that
is derived from possible taxes in the fu-
brought in in health. In 1 day last year,
streamline our own reform efforts and
all Americans have a voice-consumers
ture on which I've not yet decided would
OSHA eliminated 1,000 regulations as a
expand them to every independent reg-
and small business, local officials, State
certainly be channeled into new energy
wonderful gift to the American public and
ulatory agency. It will accomplish five
governments, certainly, you-not just the
sources, as well as conservation and the
to the President.
major goals, which I will list very briefly
best financed and the best organized in-
enhancement of our American domestic
And Charlie Ferris flew from Wash-
in closing.
terest groups.
production. Gasohol and other similar re-
ington to Oklahoma, now down here with
First, this legislation will make sure that
In regaining control of the regulations
plenishable sources of fuel will certainly
me yesterday and this morning, and he
the costs and benefits of all major regula-
that govern our lives, we can also regain
be near the top of the list.
is absolutely determined that the FCC will
tions and rules are weighed before they
our faith in self-government. Together,
equal the achievements that I have just
are issued. From now on, regulators will
we will reaffirm that our future depends
BROADCAST INDUSTRY DEREGULATION
have to get the job done at the least pos-
described. He's got my support and my
not on fate or accident or impersonal
sible cost, and they will have to justify the
forces beyond our control, but on our own
Q. I'm Katherine Broman, president of
help.
bill to the American people.
decisions as a free people in the freest
Springfield Television in Springfield,
So, in a generic sense, because of legis-
Secondly, this legislation will help us to
democracy on Earth, which I am deter-
Massachusetts. And you were up visiting
lation and in the FCC itself-which has
clean up the enormous backlog of rules
mined to see become even more free.
us a few years ago.
an equal determination administratively-
and regulations that have accumulated
Thank you very much. I'd now like to
THE PRESIDENT. Yes, and my wife was
we will make that progress that I've de-
over the years, but have long since out-
answer some questions.
there last week.
scribed to you.
lived their usefulness.
By deregulating airlines last year, we
Q. That's right. You have taken my
I might point out that many of the reg-
QUESTIONS
saved consumers $2½ billion in reduced
question and practically answered it be-
ulations that presently are burdensome
fares. We have brought record profits to
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
fore, because I was going to ask you
have been proposed and supported and
the airline industry, and we have begun,
about deregulation of the broadcast in-
are still supported by the broadcasting in-
for the first time in my memory, to dis-
Q. Mr. President, George Allen of
dustry. But let me ask you, can you give
dustry itself. So, we've got to be very care-
mantle a Federal bureaucracy.
KLGA, Algona, Iowa. Iowa is corn coun-
us a timetable as to when we are going
ful as we remove regulations not to inter-
Third, it'll put a brake on the regula-
try, and Iowans are concerned about the
tory assembly line. It will make sure that
lack of appropriations to test and develop
to be free of some of the paperwork that
fere in the orderly processes of your in-
Government plans ahead, that the Amer-
gasohol as an energy source. Are you plan-
you have discussed?
dustry. But I can assure you that my own
ning any actions from the White House?
THE PRESIDENT. I think Charlie Ferris,
direct Presidential influence and interest
ican people know what new rules are
THE PRESIDENT. Yes. The testing and
who is here with me today and will stay
is in it for political benefits to myself, if
going to be proposed, and that regulations
are developed not in the secret inner sanc-
the use of gasohol and other energy
until Wednesday to answer your questions
I succeed, as well as what I detect to be
tums of the bureaucracy, but under the
sources derived from replenishable mate-
specifically, can give you a better time-
in the best interests of our country.
supervision of senior officials who are ac-
rials is a very high priority for us. We are
frame.
countable to the people, to me as Presi-
increasing every year the allocation of
FIRST AMENDMENT PRIVILEGES
This legislation that will be proposed to
dent, and to the Congress.
funds for that purpose. The Congress is
the Congress tomorrow covers not only
Q. Mr. President, I'm Dick Chapin
now considering, as you know, some man-
Fourth, this legislation will end need-
datory, step-by-step increment increase in
the FCC but all other independent regu-
with KFOR in Lincoln, Nebraska, and I'd
less delays and endless procedural night-
the amount of gasohol that has to be
latory agencies, and I've already covered
like to ask the question if you believe
mares which have plagued too many
Americans for too long. It should not have
mixed with gasoline. We are considering
the regulatory agencies under my control
that broadcasters are entitled to the same
taken 12 years and a hearing record of
this proposal. It's being sponsored by, I
or influence already.
first amendment privileges as are the news-
think, Senator Church and others. The
As you know, most of these agencies
papers?
over 100,000 pages for the FDA to decide
final decision is yet to be made.
have to be under the control of laws
THE PRESIDENT. That's a hard question
what percentage of peanuts there ought to
be in peanut butter. [Laughter] I would
Within the next week, I will make a
themselves, because the President, of ne-
for me to answer, because it has so many
decision about the regulatory process for
cessity, has no control over them.
ramifications. [Laughter]
484
485
nts
Herbert Hoover, 1932-1933
Dec. 1 [413]
412
Message to Alfred J. McCosker on His Election
as President of the National Association of Broadcasters.
December 1, 1932
aber 26, 1932]
[Released December 1. 1932. Dated November 29, 1932]
Medical Care during
My dear Mr. McCosker:
n an unofficial organic
I send you my warmest congratulations on your unanimous election
officers, social scien-
as President of the National Association of Broadcasters at the recent
agaged on a five-year
annual convention in St. Louis. 11 is especially noteworthy that you
its recommendations,
were chosen from the field of Independent Broadcasters.
In view of the vast scope of radio broadcasting in the United States
ittee my appreciation
and the direct impress it makes upon the minds of the people, its
vital problems facing
possibilities for good in advancing industrial, scientific, cultural and
at the meeting of the
amusement interests, this is a signal honor and a high responsibility,
are in the New York
which your character, broad experience, and achievements give promise
ir the plans proposed
of successful discharge in the public interest. You have my cordial
cientific, medical care
good wishes in this work.
can be reasonably met
Yours faithfully,
nd a careful study of
HERBERT HOOVER
aders throughout the
[Mr. Alfred J. McCosker, Director & General Manager, Bamberger Broadcasting
Service, Inc., New York Office, 1440 Broadway, New York City]
RBERT HOOVER
NOTE: Mr. McCosker released the message in New York City. He had been elected
rt of eight major founds-
president of the National Association of Broadcasters on November 15, 1932.
ired by Secretary of the
413
Message to the Chief of Police of Newark, New Jersey.
December 1, 1932
[Released December 1, 1932. Dated November 30, 1932]
My dear Chief McRell:
I wish you to know of my very deep appreciation of the admirable
police arrangements during my visit to Newark on October 31st,
837
[171] Mar. 31
Public Papers of the Presidents
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968
Apr. I [172]
Merriman Smith, United Press Inter-
NOTE: President Johnson's one hundred and twenty-
critics would admit, my own shortcomings
How many men, I wonder, Mayor Daley,
second news conference was held in the Oval Room
national: Mr. President, thank you very
as a communicator.
in public life have watched themselves on a
at the White House at II p.m. on Sunday, March 31.
much.
1968.
How does a public leader find just the
TV newscast and then been tempted to ex-
right word or the right way to say no more
claim, "Can that really be me?"
or no less than he means to say-bearing in
Well, there is no denying it: You of the
172 Remarks in Chicago Before the National Association
mind that anything he says may topple gov-
broadcast industry have enormous power in
of Broadcasters. April I, 1968
ernments and may involve the lives of inno-
your hands. You have the power to clarify
cent men?
and you have the power to confuse. Men
Mayor Daley, Mr. Wasilewski, ladies and
But somehow or other, we have a facility
How does that leader speak the right
in public life cannot remotely rival your
gentlemen:
sometimes of emphasizing the divisions and
phrase, in the right way, under the right
opportunity-day after day, night after
Some of you might have thought from
the things that divide us instead of discussing
conditions, to suit the accuracies and con-
night, hour after hour on the hour-and the
what I said last night that I had been taking
the things that unite us. Sometimes I have
tingencies of the moment when he is discuss-
half hour, sometimes-you shape the Na-
elocution lessons from Lowell Thomas. One
been called a seeker of "consensus"-more
ing questions of policy, so that he does not
tion's dialogue.
of my aides said this morning, "Things are
often that has been criticism of my actions
stir a thousand misinterpretations and leave
The words that you choose, hopefully al-
really getting confused around Washing-
instead of praise of them. But I have never
the wrong connotation or impression?
ways accurate, and hopefully always just, are
ton, Mr. President."
denied it. Because to heal and to build sup-
How does he reach the immediate
the words that are carried out for all of the
I said, "How is that?"
port, to hold people together, is something I
audience and how does he communicate
people to hear.
He said, "It looks to me like you are going
think is worthy and I believe it is a noble
with the millions of others who are out there
The commentary that you provide can give
to the wrong convention in Chicago."
task. It is certainly a challenge for all of us
listening from afar?
the real meaning to the issues of the day
I said, "Well, what you overlooked was
in this land and this world where there is
The President, who must call his people
or it can distort them beyond all meaning.
that it is April Fool."
restlessness and uncertainty and danger. In
and summon them to meet their respon-
By your standards of what is news, you can
Once again we are entering the period of
my region of the country where I have spent
sibilities as citizens in a hard and an endur-
cultivate wisdom-or you can nurture mis-
national festivity which Henry Adams called
my life, where brother was once divided
ing war, often ponders these questions and
guided passion.
"the dance of democracy." At its best, that
against brother, my heritage has burned this
searches for the right course.
Your commentary carries an added ele-
can be a time of debate and enlightenment.
lesson and it has burned it deep in my
You men and women who are masters of
ment of uncertainty. Unlike the printed
At its worst, it can be a period of frenzy.
memory.
the broadcast media surely must know what
media, television writes on the wind. There
But always it is a time when emotion
Yet along the way I learned somewhere
I am talking about. It was a long time ago
is no accumulated record which the historian
threatens to substitute for reason. Yet the
that no leader can pursue public tranquillity
when a President once said, "The printing
can examine later with a 20-20 vision of
basic hope of a democracy is that somehow-
as his first and only goal. For a President to
press is the most powerful weapon with
hindsight, asking these questions: "How
amid all the frenzy and all the emotion—
buy public popularity at the sacrifice of his
which man has ever armed himself." In our
fair was he tonight? How impartial was he
in the end, reason will prevail. Reason just
better judgment is too dear a price to pay.
age, the electronic media have added im-
today? How honest was he all along?"
must prevail-if democracy itself is to
This Nation cannot afford such a price, and
measurably to man's power. You have with-
Well, I hope the National Association of
survive.
this Nation cannot long afford such a leader.
in your hands the means to make our Na-
Broadcasters, with whom I have had a
As I said last evening, there are very deep
So, the things that divide our country this
tion as intimate and as informed as a New
pleasant association for many years, will
and very emotional divisions in this land
morning will be discussed throughout the
England town meeting.
point the way to all of us in developing this
that we love today-domestic divisions, divi-
land. I am certain that the very great major-
Yet the use of broadcasting has not cleared
kind of a record because history is going to be
sions over the war in Vietnam. With all of
ity of informed Americans will act, as they
away all of the problems that we still have
asking very hard questions about our times
my heart, I just wish this were not so. My
have always acted, to do what is best for their
of communications. In some ways, I think,
and the period through which we are
entire career in public life-some 37 years
country and what serves the national interest.
sometimes it has complicated them, because
passing.
of it-has been devoted to the art of finding
But the real problem of informing the
it tends to put the leader in a time capsule.
I think that we all owe it to history to
an area of agreement because generally
people is still with us. I think I can speak
It requires him often to abbreviate what he
complete the record.
speaking, I have observed that there are so
with some authority about the problem of
has to say. Too often, it may catch a random
But I did not come here this morning to
many more things to unite us Americans
communication. I understand, far better than
phrase from his rather lengthy discourse and
sermonize. In matters of fairness and judg-
than there are to divide us.
some of my severe and perhaps intolerant
project it as the whole story.
ment, no law or no set of regulations and
482
483
[172] Apr. I
Public Papers of the Presidents
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968
Apr. I [172]
no words of mine can improve you or dictate
to carry a different message. It was a message
in the scarred hills of Vietnam, but will
the people can afford no thought of self.
your daily responsibility.
of peace. It occurred to me that the medium
show men entering a room to talk about
At no time and in no way and for no
All I mean to do, and what I am trying to
may be somewhat better suited to conveying
peace.
reason can a President allow the integrity or
do, is to remind you where there is great
the actions of conflict than to dramatizing
That is the event that I think the Ameri-
the responsibility or the freedom of the office
power, there must also be great respon-
the words that the leaders use in trying and
can people are yearning and longing to see.
ever to be compromised or diluted or
sibility. This is true for broadcasters just
hoping to end the conflict.
President Thieu of Vietnam and his Gov-
destroyed because when you destroy it, you
as it is true for Presidents-and seekers for
Certainly, it is more "dramatic" to show
ernment are now engaged in very urgent
destroy yourselves.
the Presidency.
policemen and rioters locked in combat
political and economic tasks which I referred
I hope and I pray that by not allowing
What we say and what we do now will
than to show men trying to cooperate with
to last night-and which we regard as very
the Presidency to be involved in divisions and
shape the kind of a world that we pass along
one another.
constructive and hopeful. We hope the Gov-
deep partisanship, I shall be able to pass on to
to our children and our grandchildren. I
The face of hatred and of bigotry comes
ernment of South Vietnam makes great
my successor a stronger office-strong
keep this thought constantly in my mind
through much more clearly-no matter what
progress in the days ahead.
enough to guard and defend all the people
during the long days and the somewhat
its color. The face of tolerance, I seem to find,
But some time in the weeks ahead—
against all the storms that the future may
longer nights when crisis comes at home and
is rarely "newsworthy."
immediately, I hope-President Thieu will
bring us.
abroad.
Progress-whether it is a man being
be in a position to accept my invitation to
You men and women who have come
I took a little of your prime time last night.
trained for a job or millions being trained
visit the United States so he can come here
here to this great progressive city of Chicago,
I would not have done that except for a very
or whether it is a child in Head Start learn-
and see our people too, and together we can
led by this dynamic and great public servant,
prime purpose.
ing to read or an older person of 72 in adult
strengthen and improve our plans to advance
Dick Daley, are yourselves charged with a
I reported on the prospects for peace in
education or being cared for in Medicare-
the day of peace.
peculiar responsibility. You are yourselves
Vietnam. I announced that the United States
rarely makes the news, although more than
I pray that you and that every American
trustees, legally accepted trustees and legally
is taking a very important unilateral act of
20 million of them are affected by it.
will take to heart my plea that we guard
selected trustees of a great institution on
deescalation which could-and I fervently
Perhaps this is because tolerance and pro-
against divisiveness. We have won too much,
which the freedom of our land utterly
pray will-lead to mutual moves to reduce
gress are not dynamic events-such as riots
we have come too far, and we have opened
depends.
the level of violence and to deescalate the
and conflicts are events.
too many doors of opportunity, for these
The security, the success of our country,
war.
Peace, in the news sense, is a "condition."
things now to be lost in a divided country
what happens to us tomorrow-rests
As I sat in my office last evening, waiting
War is an "event."
where brother is separated from brother. For
squarely upon the media which disseminate
to speak, I thought of the many times each
Part of your responsibility is simply to
the time that is allotted me, I shall do every-
the truth on which the decisions of democ-
week when television brings the war into the
understand the consequences of that fact-
thing in one man's power to hasten the day
racy are made.
American home.
the consequences of your own acts, and part
when the world is at peace and Americans of
An informed mind-and we get a great
No one can say exactly what effect those
of that responsibility, I think, is to try-as
all races-and all creeds-of all convictions-
deal of our information from you-is the
vivid scenes have on American opinion. His-
very best we all can-to draw the attention
can live together-without fear or without
guardian genius of democracy.
torians must only guess at the effect that
of our people to the real business of society
suspicion or without distrust-in unity, and
So, you are the keepers of a trust. You
television would have had during earlier
in our system-finding and securing peace in
in common purpose.
must be just. You must guard and you must
conflicts on the future of this Nation:
the world-at home and abroad. For all that
United we are strong; divided we are in
defend your media against the spirit of fac-
-during the Korean war, for example,
you have done and that you are doing and
great danger.
tion, against the works of divisiveness and
at that time when our forces were
that you will do to this end, I thank you and
In speaking as I did to the Nation last
bigotry, against the corrupting evils of parti-
pushed back there to Pusan;
I commend you.
night, I was moved by the very deep con-
sanship in any guise.
-or World War II, the Battle of the
I pray that the message of peace that I
victions that I entertain about the nature of
For America's press, as for the American
Bulge, or when our men were slugging
tried so hard to convey last night will be
the office that it is my present privilege to
Presidency, the integrity and the respon-
it out in Europe or when most of our
accepted in good faith by the leaders of
hold. The Office of the Presidency is the only
sibility and the freedom-the freedom to
Air Force was shot down that day in
North Vietnam.
office in this land of all the people. Whatever
know the truth and let the truth make us
June 1942 off Australia.
I pray that one time soon, the evening
may be the personal wishes or preferences
free-must never be compromised or diluted
But last night television was being used
news show will have, not another battle
of any man who holds it, a President of all
or destroyed.
484
485
[172] Apr. I
Public Papers of the Presidents
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968
Apr. 2 [174]
The defense of our media is your respon-
because we remained silent when we should
sible to the affluent nation outside. Had it
He will also become the chairman of a
sibility. Government cannot and must not
remained an enclave of poverty; it would
Federal Advisory Council on Regional Eco-
have spoken up, because we went along with
and never will-as long as I have anything to
what was popular and fashionable and "in"
have withered and died.
nomic Development. This council will help
do about it-intervene in that role.
rather than what was necessary and what
As the report testifies, we made sub-
him coordinate the activities of the Fed-
But I do want to leave this thought with
stantial progress in Fiscal 1967 on the Ap-
eral Government in the six regions.
was right.
you as I leave you this morning: I hope that
Being faithful to our trust ought to be
palachian Development Highway System.
By placing this authority in the hands of
you will give this trust your closest care,
the prime test of any public trustee in
Highways that today are lines on the plan-
the Secretary of Commerce, I intend to en-
acting as I know you can, to guard not only
office or on the airways.
ner's map will tomorrow be asphalt bonds
courage the private and business resources of
against the obvious, but to watch for the
In any society, all you students of his-
to the rest of America. We are providing
our country to take a hand in these regional
hidden-the sometimes unintentional, the
tory know that a time of division is a time
access to opportunity.
ventures.
often petty intrusions upon the integrity of
of danger. And in these times now we must
For a region to survive, its people must
Our work has just begun. I am confident
the information by which Americans decide.
never forget that "eternal vigilance is the
be healthy, its children educated, and its
that future reports will justify the faith we
Men and women of the airways fully-
price of liberty."
land productive.
have placed in this program.
as much as men and women of public serv-
Thank you for wanting me to come. I've
Among the programs approved for con-
LYNDON B. JOHNSON
ice-have a public trust and if liberty is to
enjoyed it.
struction in Fiscal 1967 were:
The White House
survive and to succeed, that solemn trust
-100 facilities for vocational and higher
April 2, 1968
must be faithfully kept. I do not want-and
NOTE: The President spoke at II a.m. at the Conrad
education
Hilton Hotel in Chicago at the 46th annual con-
NOTE: The report, transmitted to the President on
I don't think you want-to wake up some
vention of the National Association of Broadcasters.
-75 for health care
December 20, 1967, is entitled "The Appalachian
morning and find America changed because
In his opening words he referred to Richard J.
-27 libraries
Regional Commission, Annual Report, 1967"
Daley, Mayor of Chicago, and Vincent T. Wasilew-
we slept when we should have been awake,
-37 facilities to combat water pollution
(92 pp.).
ski, President of the National Association of Broad-
The Commission was established by the Ap-
casters. The remarks were broadcast nationally.
-And 20 projects to restore ravaged mine
palachian Regional Development Act of 1965, ap-
areas.
proved on March 9, 1965 (Public Law 89-4, 79
On December 28, I signed an executive
Stat. 5).
173 Message to the Congress Transmitting Second Annual Report
The President referred to Executive Order
order which will increase the strength and
II386 of December 28, 1967, "Prescribing Ar-,
of the Appalachian Regional Commission. April 2, 1968
efficiency of our partnership for regional
rangements for Coordination of the Activities of
economic development.
Regional Commissions and Activities of the Fed-
To the Congress of the United States:
eral Government Relating to Regional Economic
ognizing that need does not respect State
Under this order, the Secretary of Com-
Development, and Establishing the Federal Ad-
I am pleased to transmit to the Congress
lines, and poverty does not stop at the bound-
merce will provide effective liaison between
visory Council for Regional Economic Development"
the Second Annual Report of the Ap-
aries which separate communities.
the Federal Government and our six
(3 Weekly Comp. Pres. Docs., p. 1778; 33 F.R. 5:
palachian Regional Commission, for fiscal
This report shows proof, I believe, that
3 CFR, 1968 Comp., p. 85).
regional commissions.
year 1967.
such a partnership-seeking common solu-
This report marks the end of the second
tions to common problems-can work to re-
year of the Federal-State effort to lift the
build a segment of America, to provide its
174 Remarks at a Cost Reduction Awards Ceremony at the
18 million people in Appalachia up to eco-
citizens with a chance to share in America's
1968
nomic parity with the rest of America.
Department of Agriculture.
April
2,
plenty.
The Congress has already expressed its
Our ultimate goal is to assist Appalachia
Secretary Freeman, award winners, members
tact with the people who do so much to try
confidence in the program by revising and
to attract and hold public and private in-
of the Department of Agriculture:
to make life better for our farmers.
extending it for another two years. More
vestments-the cornerstones on which eco-
I am pleased that a few days ago you asked
This Department is one of my favorite de-
than $300 million have been obligated for
nomic well-being is built.
me to come over here and be with you on
partments in the Government. It is manned
programs which will help the people of Ap-
We have not yet achieved that goal, but
this occasion.
by the most dedicated people. For 37 years I
palachia on their way to self-sufficiency.
in two years we have made a strong begin-
I am pleased for several reasons.
have been coming here, talking to you about
The framework of the program is com-
ning.
I am especially pleased now that I am
the problems of forgotten people. In the
mendable in itself. Federal, State, and local
One of our first aims was to unify Ap-
going to have more time to spend on the
hurly-burly of the 20th century, I sometimes
authorities have been working together, rec-
palachia internally-and to make it acces-
farm, that I could have a little closer con-
think that the people who need our help
486
487
[47] Feb. 14
Public Papers of the Presidents
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Feb. 14 [49]
47
Remarks to the Policy Committee of the Communications
basis than has previously existed for success-
of Government level at any stage of the
Workers of America. February 14, 1962
ful work by the conference. The Agreed
conference when it appears that such par-
Statement of Principles for Disarmament
ticipation could positively affect the chances
I WANT to welcome you all here this morn-
Heller had an opportunity to talk with you
Negotiations which was signed by repre-
of success. The question is rather one of
ing. It is a great source of satisfaction to
yesterday. I want to commend you for the
sentatives of our countries on September 20,
timing. I feel that until there have been
me. I am an old friend of your president,
responsible way that you are moving towards
1961 and which was noted with approval by
systematic negotiations-until the main
Joe Beirne. In 1947 he and I were 2 of the
your assignment.
the 16th General Assembly of the United
problems have been clarified and progress
10 outstanding young men, according to the
We are all concerned not only with ad-
Nations represents a foundation upon which
has been made, intervention by Heads of
Junior Chamber of Commerce. But I do
vancing the public interest-you have a
a successful negotiation may be built.
Government would involve merely a general
also want to welcome you because yours is
responsibility towards your members and
As you have recognized, there still exist
exchange of governmental position which
an outstanding union, and I am a great be-
towards the country, and I am sure that you
substantial differences between our two posi-
might set back, rather than advance, the
liever in the contribution which the union
are going to meet your responsibility to both
tions. Just one example is the Soviet un-
prospects for disarmament. It is for these
movement can make, not only in this coun-
of these-to your people and to all the Amer-
willingness so far to accord the control or-
reasons that I think that meetings at the
try in maintaining a progressive economy,
ican people in maintaining our economy in a
ganization the authority to verify during the
highly responsible level of our Foreign
but also the contribution which the union
way which protects our people, and makes
disarmament process that agreed levels of
Ministers as well as the Foreign Ministers
it possible for them to participate more fully
forces and armament are not exceeded.
movement can make around the world.
of those other participating states who wish
in our lives here.
The task of the conference will be to at-
I stated to the AFL-CIO national conven-
to do so would be the best instrument for
tion that the efforts which the AFL-CIO
I welcome you to the White House. It
tempt to explore this and other differences
the opening stages.
have made around the world to strengthen
belongs to all of you. I welcome you here
which may exist and to search for means of
A special obligation for the success of
the free democratic trade union movement,
individually and also because you represent
overcoming them by specific disarmament
the conference devolves upon our two Gov-
an oustanding American organization, and
plans and measures. This does not mean
I believe, represented one of the great con-
ernments and that of the United Kingdom
tributions in the struggle against the Com-
also because of your distinguished president,
that the conference should stay with routine
as nuclear powers. I therefore hope that the
munist advance which has been made in the
whom I regard as one of the outstanding
procedures or arguments or that the heads
suggestion made in the letter of Prime
leaders of the American labor movement
of government should not be interested in
last 15 to 20 years.
Minister Macmillan and myself to you, that
I want to commend you. I know that
today. Joe, we are glad to have you all here.
the negotiations from the very outset. It
the Foreign Ministers of the three countries
you are here in Washington taking part in
does mean that much clarifying work will
meet in advance of the conference in order
one of the most important assignments
NOTE: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. in the Rose
have to be done in the early stages of nego-
to concert plans for its work, will be accept-
Garden at the White House. During his remarks
which faces your union, to make a determi-
tiation before it is possible for Heads of
able to the Soviet Government.
he referred to Walter W. Heller, Chairman, Council
Government to review the situation. This
nation of what you should do in regard to
of Economic Advisers.
may be necessary in any case before June I
JOHN F. KENNEDY
collective bargaining. I know that Dr.
when a report is to be filed on the progress
NOTE: Chairman Khrushchev's letter of February 10
achieved.
is published in the State Department Bulletin (vol.
Message to Chairman Khrushchev Concerning the Forthcoming
I do not mean to question the utility or
46, p. 356). The Joint Statement of Agreed Princi-
48
perhaps even the necessity of a meeting of
ples for Disarmament Negotiations, referred to in
Disarmament Negotiations in Geneva. February 14, 1962
Heads of Government. Indeed, I am quite
the third paragraph, is also published in the Bulletin
(vol. 45, p. 589).
ready to participate personally at the Heads
Dear Mr. Chairman:
can be most usefully discharged. I do not
In reading your letter of February 10, 1962
believe that the attendance by the heads of
I was gratified to see that you have been
government at the outset of an 18-Nation
thinking along the same lines as Prime
conference is the best way to move forward.
49
Remarks at the Presentation of an Award to the National
Minister Macmillan and myself as to the
I believe that a procedure along the lines of
Association
of
Broadcasters.
importance of the new disarmament nego-
that outlined in the letter which Prime
February
14,
1962
tiations which will begin in Geneva in
Minister Macmillan and I addressed to you
WELL, GENERAL, I want to second what
I think that in the last decade over $50 mil-
March. I was gratified also to see that you
on February 7 is the one best designed to
you have said. The National Association of
lion worth of time has been given by the
agree that the heads of government should
give impetus to the work of the conference.
Broadcasters since 1955, in response to the
television and radio industry. I think it is
assume personal responsibility for the success
I agree with the statement which you have
request from the President and from the
running at the rate of about $5 million a
of these negotiations.
made in your letter that there exists a better
Committee, has given untiring support to
year, with emphasis in every possible part
The question which must be decided, of
a great national effort to hire handicapped
of the country on the opportunity and the
course, is how that personal responsibility
1 Item 42.
people.
obligation on all of us to hire people who
132
133
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Feb.
14
[50]
[49]
Feb.
14
Public Papers of the Presidents
Christmas Island before the opening of the
governments to which Mr. Khrushchev ad-
may because of accident or because of nature
"The President of the United States cites
Geneva conference, and have developments
dressed his letter.
be suffering from a handicap.
with pleasure the National Association of
in the last week affected our plans?
[3-] Q. Mr. President, our Labor Depart-
I want to emphasize today that we are
Broadcasters for distinguished service in en-
THE PRESIDENT. No, that statement of the
ment estimates that approximately 1.8 mil-
changing the name of this Committee
couraging and promoting the employment
Prime Minister of course is correct, and noth-
lion persons holding jobs are replaced every
from "Physically Handicapped" to "Handi-
of the physically handicapped."
ing in the events of the last week-if you're
year by machines. How urgent do you view
capped," because we do want to emphasize
I want to congratulate you, Governor, and
referring to the exchange of communications
this problem-automation?
the great importance of hiring people who
express our appreciation to you for your
with Chairman Khrushchev which we had
THE PRESIDENT. Well, it is a fact that we
may have suffered some degree of difficulty
efforts.
and the letter back, and now our letter back
have to find, over a 10-year period, 25,000
mentally. And these people deserve our
NOTE: The President spoke at noon in the Fish Room
to him-that has not changed our plans. As
new jobs every week to take care of those
wholehearted support and cooperation in
at the White House following the remarks of Maj.
I've stated, by the end of the month we will
who are displaced by machines and those
making it possible for them to live useful
Gen. Melvin J. Maas, Chairman of the President's
have concluded our analysis of our relative
who are coming into the labor market, so
and fruitful lives.
Committee on Employment of the Physically Handi-
capped. LeRoy Collins, President of the National
positions and we will be in a position to make
that this places a major burden upon our
So now, on behalf of the Committee, and
Association of Broadcasters and former Governor
a decision. But in any case, whichever way
economy and on our society, and it's one to
with the General, I want to present to Gov-
of Florida, accepted the Committee's Distinguished
the decision would go, there would be no
which we will have to give a good deal of
ernor Collins-and I will read the citation:
Award on behalf of the Association.
testing, as the Prime Minister said, on
attention in the next decade. I regard it as
Christmas Island before that date.
a very serious problem. If our economy is
Q. Mr. President, to refer to your letter
moving forward, we can absorb this 1,800,-
50
The President's News Conference of
to Premier Khrushchev this morning, with-
000, even though in particular industries we
February 14, 1962
out meaning to exclude other examples,
may get special structural unemployment.
could you give us one example of the kind
We've seen that in steel, we've seen it in coal,
THE PRESIDENT. I have one statement.
available to the press at the earliest feasible
of progress in the disarmament talks that
we may see it in other industries. But if our
[x.] There have been a number of ques-
moment.
might lead you to participate personally in
economy is progressing as we hope it will,
tions directed to the White House and other
Q. Mr. President, when Mr. Powers com-
a summit conference?
then we can absorb a good many of these
governmental agencies about our release of
pletes this interrogation and he's free to
THE PRESIDENT. If the discussions at
men and women. But I regard it as the
Col. Rudolf Abel, and the freeing of Francis
testify, what will his status be? Will the
Geneva indicated that genuine progress
major domestic challenge, really, of the
Gary Powers and Frederic Pryor from deten-
Government still have any claim on his serv-
could be made which would provide for a
sixties, to maintain full employment at a
tion in the Soviet Union and East Germany,
ices or will he be a free agent to go as he
responsible disarmament agreement, an
time when automation, of course, is replac-
respectively.
pleases?
effective disarmament agreement, with effec-
ing men.
Let me say first that I'm deeply pleased
THE PRESIDENT. Well, he's a free agent, as
tive inspection which, of course, must be a
[4-] Q. Mr. President, do you agree with
that the pilot, Mr. Powers, and the student,
I've said at the present time, to go as he
part of any disarmament agreement, if it's
the view attributed to Ambassador Beam
Mr. Pryor, have been released and reunited
pleases. He is cooperating voluntarily with
going to be-truly meet the international
that any arms agreement the West reaches
with their families. I shall be doubly pleased
the Government, and at the conclusion of
needs, then of course, if we are moving
with Russia must ultimately include Red
if their release turns out to be a sign of
the present discussions, he will be free to
ahead in that kind of area, and my presence
China to have real value?
possible significant progress in the lessening
carry on whatever work he should choose.
at a meeting in Geneva would advance that
THE PRESIDENT. Yes, I would think there
of world tensions.
Q. Mr. President, is it possible to say now
cause, of course I would go. But our point
would have to be an agreement that would
As for the whereabouts of Mr. Powers, I
how Powers was brought down in Russia,
is, in the letter, that what we want to do is
cover the world, if it is going to be valuable.
can state at this time only that he's in this
whether he was shot down or whether it was
country, that he has seen his father and
mechanical trouble?
try to make that progress in the negotiations.
Q. Mr. President, you have indicated you
Then if we are making it and a meeting of
would like some priority to the nuclear test
mother, and that his wife is with him. He
THE PRESIDENT. It would seem to me that
heads of state would complete it or would
ban at the meetings that open on March 14.
is undergoing important interviews by ap-
this question and others relating to it really
materially advance it, then it would seem to
Would the United States be willing to stand
propriate officials of this Government. Mr.
should wait until the interrogations have
me that every head of state would want to go.
by the draft treaty of last April, that was laid
Powers is cooperating voluntarily with the
been completed, and until the Government
Q. Mr. President, have you received any
before the Soviet Union then?
Government in these discussions. At the
has finished talking about all these matters
Indication from the neutralist countries,
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I've stated that we
conclusion of these discussions, the informa-
with Mr. Powers. Then, as I say, he will be
particularly India, whether or not they
will-that it may be necessary to bring that
tion derived from these interviews will be
available, and will give whatever informa-
would send foreign ministers or heads of
treaty Sp to date. But basically we have
made available to appropriate committees of
tion would be in the national interest to give.
state to the March r8th meeting?
indicated that we would sign an agreement
the Congress, and Mr. Powers will be free to
[2.] Q. Mr. President, can you comment
THE PRESIDENT. No. I don't know what
which would have as its basis certainly the
testify before the Congress, should the Con-
on Prime Minister Macmillan's statement
the decision will be of the heads of the other
April proposal. There might be some new
gress so wish. Mr. Powers will be made
yesterday that there will be no testing on
135
134
[170]
Public Papers of the Presidents
April 5
April 7
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[171]
170
sometime in 1973. I think he probably knows more about me than anybody
Statement on the Death of President Chiang Kai-shek
in this room, including Betty, so I am glad you didn't ask him to speak.
of the Republic of China. April 5, 1975
[Laughter]
First, I want to congratulate the members of the National Association of
I WAS deeply saddened at the death of the President of the Republic of China.
Broadcasters on your courage in holding your convention here in Las Vegas.
Chiang Kai-shek. His passing marks the end of an era in Chinese history.
However, since I am concerned with the economic well-being of all of our
President Chiang was a man of firm integrity, high courage, and deep polit-
citizens, I have to offer you this advice: There are some games you just don't
ical conviction. The last surviving major Allied leader of the Second World
play without a helmet. [Laughter]
War, he will be remembered by people from all walks of life and from every
As a matter of fact, you could be the first broadcasters in history to go from
part of the world for his dignity and dedication to principles in which he
a station break to a station broke. [Laughter]
believed.
I don't mind telling you I have always had a little concern when I appear in
Mrs. Ford joins me in behalf of all Americans in expressing our sincere con-
Las Vegas, especially with my economic advisers. I would really hate for
dolences to Madame Chiang, to President Chiang's family, and to his country-
people to think it is our way of making up the deficit. [Laughter]
men in this time of sorrow.
This convention represents an opportunity for your industry to share prob-
lems, technological innovation, and trends in the broadcasting business. Your
NOTE: Chiang Kai-shek was President of the Repub-
Vice President Rockefeller headed the U.S. delega-
lic of China from 1948 until his death in Taipei,
tion to the funeral of President Chiang in Taiwan
industry has a unique challenge because of its power and its great influence
Taiwan, on April 5, 1975. The statement was re-
on April 16.
throughout our Nation. But, like all other businesses, you are concerned about
leased at Palm Springs, Calif.
the stability of our economy, which influences your ability to survive and to
serve your customers.
171
This audience represents the spectrum of an American business, from the
Address in Las Vegas at the Annual Convention of the National
small radio or television stations serving a few thousand to the larger stations
serving literally millions. But whether the budget you work with is large or
Association of Broadcasters. April 7, 1975
small, you understand the Nation's economic difficulties very well.
Thank you very much, Vince-and I can pronounce Wasilewski. President
The first part of my economic recovery recommendations last January, a
Dickoff, my wife, Betty, Secretary Kissinger, Senator Howard Cannon, Con-
prompt tax cut, is now law. The second and equally important part was the
restraint of Federal spending by cutting back some $17 billion in existing
gressman Santini, Andy Ockershausen-that's not bad, is it, Andy?-distin-
guished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
programs and by a 1-year moratorium on all new spending, except in the
critical fields of energy and emergency needs.
Let me personally express my appreciation for the very warm welcome and
I signed the tax cut bill because it was urgently needed to stimulate the
reception that you have given to our great Secretary of State, a person of un-
economy. I was deeply concerned about the quality of the legislation ap-
believable wisdom and, I think, the finest background and knowledge in the
proved, because it cost some $7 billion more than was requested. What that
field of foreign policy of anybody in my lifetime-and of course, his inde-
means is $7 billion less in tax revenues, and that amount is added inevitably
fatigable dedication.
to the Federal deficit.
I also am most grateful for the warm reception that you gave on behalf of
Our continuing concern is the overstimulation of the economy through ex-
my wife, Betty, who celebrates her 39th birthday tomorrow-[laughter]-and
cessive Government spending. The Administration's projected deficit was $52
of course, my good friend Howard Cannon.
billion in a 12-month period or $1 billion per week of deficit. With the tax cut,
Betty could tell you some things about me, but Howard Cannon was chair-
the deficit would be closer to $60 billion if the Congress authorized no new
man of the committee in the Senate that investigated my life from birth to
spending programs.
440
441
[171]
Public Papers of the Presidents
April 7
April 7
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[171]
It now looks as if the Congress might undertake an entire series of new
ultimately the Nation's businesses determine the health of the Nation's
spending initiatives despite my request for a moratorium. A possible deficit
economy.
of $100 billion in a 12-month period of time-that would be a disaster.
Government handouts and make-work programs cannot go on forever.
Such a huge deficit is alarming because of the impact it would have on the
The best way to get those who want work back on the job is by temporary tax
money market. When the economy is weak and private credit demands are
incentives to charge up our free enterprise system.
relatively low, the Administration's projected deficit could be financed with-
Government measures are at best very limited. Long-range recovery must
out encouraging inflation. But when the economy turns up-and I think we
come from the economic strength of the Nation's businesses, and this includes
are seeing some encouraging signs-and when it turns up, as we more specifi-
farmers, labor, and all other productive segments of our society.
cally anticipate in the second half of the year, any larger deficit will consume
The potentially larger deficits that loom ahead unless the Congress takes a
money available for the private sector, drive up interest rates, and unfortunately
serious look at the Nation's needs in the years, not just the days ahead,
regenerate more inflation.
could make a solid, sustainable, and non-inflationary recovery in our Nation
The more Government has to borrow to finance a Federal deficit, the less
impossible.
money is available for individuals and for businesses. For example, a recent
Adding to the deficit in times like this is like gambling. If the deficit for the
report in the Wall Street Journal describes the current difficulties of corpora-
next year were only $50 billion, we run only a very small risk of reigniting the
tions in offering their bonds for expansion. Some companies have already been
fires of inflation. But every time your Congressmen and your Senators add a new
forced to delay planned offerings because of Government borrowing. A larger
spending program or otherwise increase the deficit by a few billion more, the
deficit will seriously aggravate this situation. Without these bonds, businesses
inflationary odds go against us. Running a deficit of some $100 billion in a
will have to reduce anticipated capital expenditures. This, in turn, threatens
12-month period of time is gambling with the Nation's economic strength.
to delay our economic recovery.
If there is runaway spending by the Government, we will again be caught
When government competes directly with business and individuals for
up in a destructive inflationary spiral. This inflation will create the same kind
needed funds, the interest rates go back up. When interest rates are high, it
of consumer uncertainty we saw last fall which unfortunately caused consumers
becomes difficult for individuals to borrow money to buy new homes, to buy
to reduce discretionary spending. That reduction caused production cutbacks
new cars or other consumer items. The fall-off in the pace of consumer spend-
and the ensuing job losses that affect us tragically today.
ing then forces industries to cut back production. When production is cut
It requires very careful managing to end the recession without promoting
inflation. This task is made much more complicated by the present attitude of
back, jobs arè cut back.
many Members of the Congress, to look only at the immediate problems of
When interest rates rise, there is a temptation to call for the Federal Reserve
some of the people, instead of looking at the future welfare of all of the people.
to provide even more money and more credit to satisfy the demands. As we
This narrow view prompted the inclusion in the tax cut bill of a number of
have seen in the past when this is done, the longer term result is inevitably more
well-intentioned, but ill-conceived changes in our tax laws. Now, I share the
inflation and even higher interest rates.
desire of many in the Congress for tax reform. But meaningful changes must
Overstimulation can negate the entire purpose of the tax cut which is to get
be based on deliberate and thoughtful evaluation of what is fair to all of our
the economy producing and the workingman back on the job.
taxpayers.
The intrusion of Government into the money market must be kept to an
The Congress voted additional benefits to aid the low-income taxpayer. The
absolute minimum, because ultimately the Nation's business determines the
same people they sought to help will be the first hurt by the return of double-
health of our Nation's economy.
digit inflation. There is little doubt that those who will get a temporary benefit
Government handouts-I told my wife Betty I knew this speech backwards
from the new tax cut law will wind up footing the bill through inflation unless
and I think I am proving it-[laughter]-the intrusion of the Government
the Congress acts responsibly on spending in the coming months.
into the money market must be kept to an absolute minimum, because
It is my judgment that we have to stop trading today for tomorrow in our
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443
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April 7
April 7
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[171]
Government spending programs. Unless we do, when tomorrow comes, the
our own labors, and our own money in any adventure, we are infinitely more
Nation will pay a terrible price for yesterday's expediencies.
concerned about its success, and government is no exception.
In recent years, a tendency has developed to look at America as a nation of
Another of my concerns with the tax cut law is the possibility that some of the
fragmented groups. This has produced a patchwork approach that fails to
temporary changes will become permanent, producing a continuing loss of
recognize the interdependence of all Americans.
tax revenues. Once enacted, as Howard Cannon knows, many programs become
In the recent tax cut legislation, the Congress concentrated tax reductions on
permanent.
the very lowest income brackets and discriminated against the majority of
If the present pace of escalating social spending continues-and this is a
middle-income taxpayers.
startling statistic-in other words, if the present growth of social spending
In my recommendations to the Congress, I proposed an across-the-board tax
continues, as it has for the last two decades, about 9 percent per year, by the year
reduction which would have helped all taxpayers, with special concern for the
2000 one-half of our Nation will be producers and supporters for the other half.
forgotten man in the middle.
That assumes no change in any of the existing laws. It is just a projection of what
The Congress passed tax reductions that are unfairly concentrated, in my
has happened, what has transpired in the last 20 years.
judgment, in the very lowest income brackets. Low-income people should
The American people today are being forced to live within tight budgets
indeed be helped, but not to the exclusion of the rest of the population.
to cope with the recession caused by decades of deficits and ever-expanding
This tax bill places an increasingly difficult tax burden upon the most pro-
Government programs.
ductive members of our society. Half of the families in this country today earn
The Congress must learn to live within the Nation's means. It should fix
between $10,000 and $25,000 per year. One-third have earnings in excess of
an absolute ceiling on Federal spending for the coming year, the $60 billion
$15,000 per year, and they cover the spectrum of productive people in our society.
limit where I drew the line.
Teachers, craftsmen in the labor unions, secretaries-these people are vitally
It is my best judgment-and I am encouraged by what I see in the House and
important in our society. What we need-we need tax relief, but we need tax
Senate budget committees-I have urged the Congress to put the already enacted
relief that will not strip incentives from these hard-working millions, many of
procedures of the Congressional budget and impoundment act of 1974 into
them with young families that are struggling to improve their lives.
effect a whole year ahead of schedule, starting this July 1.
Failure to provide tax relief would effectively put a lid on the ambitions and
We don't need any practice on this playing field. The time has come for the
the enterprise and the hard work of this very important segment of Americans
Congress to use this new legislative enactment to win the game, and if they
as they seek, with their efforts and their brains and their dedication, to continue
start July 1, I think great results can be the end of their actions.
up the economic ladder for the sake of their children, if not for themselves.
Now, the urgency of Congressional action to establish a ceiling and to list
The middle-income taxpayer cannot continue to carry an ever-increasing
priorities requires the Congress to move up the deadline, as I have indicated.
burden, an ever-increasing share of the cost of all governments. The importance
It is reasonable to expect the Congress to spend the Nation's money within
of these taxpayers in achieving economic stability deserves more attention.
an ordered budget, just as you have to in your businesses and at your home.
The Congress took some 6 million Americans off the tax rolls. We cannot
The Federal Government must exercise self-control and self-discipline in
afford, as I see it, to have this Nation divided between taxpayers on the one hand
the expenditure of your tax dollar. I am disappointed, I must say, that there is
and nontaxpayers on the other. It is my strong belief and conviction that this is
substantial evidence that the Congress in various subcommittees, various com-
most unfair. It places an increasing burden on the middle-income taxpayers,
mittees, shows no self-control or no such discipline. Instead, committee after
and there are very real dangers, as I see it, in increasing the number of Ameri-
committee and subcommittee after subcommittee is producing budget-breaking
cans who pay no taxes and contribute nothing to the support of their
deficit adding to old programs and new spending programs-all in the name
government.
of stimulating the economy or helping, group by group, those hurt by the
Now, there is a vast difference between enterprises in which we have a per-
recession.
sonal investment and those in which we do not. When we invest our own time,
The Congress must promptly take action to impose upon itself limits not
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April 7
April 7
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[171]
only on overall expenditures and deficits but also on spending in each major
program area.
It is unfortunately true that we have suffered setbacks at home and abroad.
Now, an overall limit is too easily ignored by a committee or by a subcom-
But it is essential that Americans retain their self-confidence and their perspec-
mittee. They act with the best of intentions on the area of their particular
tive. This is the time, I should say, to mobilize our assets and to call upon our
responsibility, and they vote one program after another, one bill after another.
greatest capacities.
What we need, I think, is what I mentioned earlier-their budget committees
I appeal to each and every one of you and all of your friends and associates
to force all committees and all subcommittees to act within a framework of a
and neighbors back in your respective hometowns to share my optimism. In
self-determined spending limitation, one within the guidelines that I proposed.
my own lifespan I heard, for example, the broadcasts of Lindbergh's first flight
Far too many areas of our national life have been infected by an "us against
across the Atlantic. I first learned from broadcasts of the need for emergency
them" mentality. It is not business versus consumer, rich against poor, black
mercy flights of the recent Vietnamese orphans. The media tells us what is
versus white, or America versus the world.
happening, but it is up to us to respond. The news is only hopeless if we give
We are one Nation, indivisible-economically and socially. The solutions
up hope.
we find to our economic problems must be based on unity, not on division.
America will not give up to self-doubt nor to paralysis of willpower. Ameri-
One of the most corrosive concepts to receive popular attention in the past
cans will not dismantle the defense of the United States. And we certainly will
decade is business as the villain. This has produced numerous unfortunate
not adopt such a naive vision of this world in which we live that we dismantle
consequences, not the least of which is growing government overregulation
our essential intelligence-gathering agencies. I can assure you, I can reassure
of many, many industries.
you that other super powers are increasing, not decreasing their military and
You know firsthand-[laughter]-how government regulations can stifle
intelligence capacities.
economic growth and in many, many instances, creativity. A complex society
In our own self-interest and, more important, in keeping with our basic
obviously requires some limited controls, but the proliferation of regulations
decency as human beings, we as a nation will go on helping people in less
has strangled far too many of our enterprises in recent years in America.
fortunate lands. We will assist the victims of Southeast Asia in every appro-
We must reexamine our laws for their applicability and our precepts for
priate way. And we will not turn our backs on others in any other quarter of the
their validity in the light of changing times.
world.
Periods of crisis, I think history tells us, can be creative, because they force
Now, I know there are some who see nothing but a grim future of depression
us to look at new problems in new ways. We are in such a period today, both
at home and disintegration abroad. I reject that scenario. My vision-and I
at home and abroad.
think it is yours--is one of growth and development worldwide through increas-
I am now working on and in the process of preparing a full report on interna-
ing interdependence of the nations of the world. My vision is one of peace. And
tional policy which will be presented by me to a joint session of the Congress
my vision of America is of a people who will retain their self-respect and self-
this Thursday.
discipline so that this great vision can emerge.
I will not go into the details today, obviously, but I will certainly put high
During my Administration, Americans will neither resign from the world
on my agenda a firm American commitment to provide humanitarian aid to
nor abandon hope of peaceful and constructive relationships with all peoples.
the helpless civilian victims, including orphaned children, of the war in
America, you know and I know, has the will. America has the resources.
Vietnam.
America has the know-how. And most importantly, America has the faith.
Now or in the future-let me say this with emphasis-let no potential enemy
I share your belief in America. Together we will build a new and better
tomorrow.
of the United States be so unwise to wrongly assess the American mood and
Thank you very much.
conclude that the time has cóme when it is safe to challenge us.
May I say just as strongly, with as much emphasis, let no ally or friend fear
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:40 p.m. in the main
man of the board of directors, and Charles R. Dick-
ballroom at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. In his
off, member of the board, National Association of
that our commitments will not be honored.
opening remarks, he referred to Vincent T. Wasi-
Broadcasters.
lewski, president, Andrew W. Ockershausen, chair-
446
447
1848
Report of California gold discovery mailed to
1250
Seventh Crusade surrendered to the Moslems
New York
1272
Richard, King of the Romans, died
1852
Final installment of the serialization of
1305
Louis X became King of Navarre
Uncle Tom's Cabin appeared in the
1416
Ferdinand I, King of Aragon, died
National Era
1501
St. Francis of Paola, died
1853
Cincinnati, Ohio, got the first paid fire
1502
Arthur, Prince of Wales, elder brother of King
department in U.S.
Henry VIII of England, died
1867
International Exhibition opened at Paris, France
1559
King Philip II of Spain married Isabella of
1868
Canada established the Post Office Savings Bank
France
1869
Pere David became the first white man to record
1595
A Dutch fleet sailed for the East Indies
seeing a live giant panda
1657
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor, died
1873
British ship Atlantic wrecked off Nova Scotia
1768
Bouganville, French explorer, landed on Tahiti
1889
Wallace Beery, actor, born
1770
All British duties, excepting the tea tax,
1891
Commonwealth of Australia adopted this title
revoked in the colonies
1894
Henri LeCaron, British spy, died
1792
First U.S. mint established and the coinage of
1898
First sale of an automobile transacted
dimes was authorized; also the
1900
William Benton, publisher of Encyclopaedia
"Eagle" ($10.00), "Half-eagle" ($5.00)
Britannica, born
and "Quarter-eagle" ($2.50) gold
1901
Turkish ship, Asian, wrecked in the Red Sea
pieces, and the silver dollar
1911
First British military flying group organized
1794
First balloon company created by French decree
1912
Metric system became official for weights and
1796
Vortigern, supposedly a Shakespeare play, opened
measures in Denmark
at Drury Lane Theater, London
1914
Permanent government for the Panama Canal Zone
1805
Hans Christian Andersen, author, born
effected
1840
Emile Zola, French novelist, born
1918
Royal Air Force founded in England
1844
George H. Putnam, publisher, born
1919
Nevada restored capital punishment
1849
Punjab was annexed to British India
1922
William Manchester, author, born
1862
Nicholas M. Butler, founder of the first U.S.
1925
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, opened
school of journalism, born
1928
Town of Hochst, Germany incorporated with
1865
Confederate evacuation of Petersburg and
Frankfort-on-Main
Richmond, Virginia began
1930
First New York-to-Bermuda airplane flight
1870
Punchinello, New York comic magazine, founded
completed
Ground-breaking for the Nevada capitol held
1937
Burma and India made separate British colonies
1872
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Russian composer, born
1940
British Overseas Airways Corporation formed
1879
British defeated Zulu tribesmen at Ginghilono
1945
U.S. forces invaded Okinawa (final land campaign
1889
Patent issued to Charles M. Hall for the com-
of World War II)
mercial production of aluminium
1947
King George II of Greece died
1891
Max Ernst, artist, born
1948
Tsavo National Park created in Kenya, Africa
1896
Barnum and Bailey's Circus opened in New York
Communist blockade of Berlin, Germany began
with a car leading the parade
1954
Five U.S. Congressmen shot on the House floor
1917
German zeppelins staged an air raid on Edinburgh,
1960
Tiros I, a weather satellite, launched
Scotland
1970
Olive Festival at Crus del Eje, Argentina
President Wilson requested a declaration of war
1917, 1928, 2007, 2012, 2091 Palm Sunday
against Germany
1904, 1983, 1988, 1994, 2067, 2078, 2089 Good Friday
Russian Jews emancipated
1923, 1934, 1945, 1956, 2018, 1019, 1040 Easter
1918
University of Capetown founded (South Africa)
1951, 2035 Quasimodo or Low Sunday
1925
Oklahoma adopted its state flag
1930
Emperess Zauditu of Ethiopia, died
1945
U.S. troops captured airfields at Legaspi,
April 2nd
Philippines
1947
United Nations placed former Japanese islands
Feast of St. Mary of Egypt (patron of penitent
under U.S. trusteeship
women who formerly lived in sin)
1963
Explorer 17 launched
742 AD Charlemagne, first Holy Roman Emperor, born
1964
Zond II, solar orbiter, launched
999
Sylvester II elected Pope
1970
Schmeckfest (German food fair) at Freeman,
South Dakota
1936
Hauptmann, kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby,
Wine Fair at Greuenmacher, Luxembourg
electrocuted
L939, 1944, 1950, 2023, 2034, 2045 Palm Sunday
1946
Lt. General Homma, Japanese commander of the
1915, 1920, 1926, 1999, 2010, 2021, 2083, 2094 Good
Bataan death march, executed
1965
SNAP-10A launched
961, 1972, 2051, 2056 Friday Easter
1969
Beginning of Passover
967, 1978, 1989, 2046, 2062, 2073, 2084 Quasimodo or
1970
Schmeckfest (German food fair) at Freeman, South
Dakota
Low Sunday
Maple Festivals began at St. Albans, Vermont
and Chardon, Ohio
pril 3rd
1971
Mt. Etna, Sicily, erupted again
1972
Start of Holy Week in Greece
Feast of St. Burgundofara
Lover's Market in Luxembourg
245 304 AD St. Pancras of Taormina, died (Feast Day)
1955, 1966, 1977, 2039, 2050, 2061, 2072 Palm Sunday
King Philip III, "the Bold," of France, born
1931, 1942, 1953, 2015, 2026, 2037, 2048 Good Friday
253
St. Richard of Chichester, died (Feast Day)
1904, 1983, 1988, 1994, 2067, 2078, 2089 Easter
279
Kublai Khan battle defeated the Sung Chinese in a sea
1910, 1921, 1932, 2005, 2016 Quasimodo or Low Sunday
287
Pope Honorius IV, died
367
559
King Henry IV of England, born
April 4th
Peace of Chateau Cambresis ended French claims
682
to Italy
Ancient Roman games honoring Cybele, mother of
Murillo, Spanish artist, fell to his death
all the gods
431
while illustrating the ceiling of
BC Peloponnesian War began
186 AD
Caracalla, Roman Emperor, born
'55
a convent in Cadiz
Simon Kenton, frontiersman, born
304
Sts. Agape, Chionia, and Irene, died (Feast Day)
78
Pierre Bretonneau, first doctor to perform a
397
St. Ambrose, church statesman, died (Feast Day)
636
tracheotomy for croup, born
St. Isidore of Seville, died (Feast Day)
83
00
Washington Irving, author, born
896
Pope Formosus, died
Gustavus IV crowned King of Sweden
1292
Pope Nicholas IV, died
22
Edward Everett Hale, author of Man Without a
1305
Joan, Queen to King Philip the Fair of France,
Country, born
died
50
Pony Express' first riders left Sacramento,
1406
King Robert III of Scotland, died
California, and St. Joseph, Missouri
1490
Mathias, King of Hungary, died
61
Reginald de born Koven, composer ("Oh, Promise Me"),
1581
Queen Elizabeth I knighted explorer Francis
Drake
52
James Clark Ross, polar explorer, died
1588
King Frederick II of Denmark and Norway, died
Reginald Heber, hymn-writer, died
1589
St. Benedict the Black, died (Feast Day)
55
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
1617
John Napier, inventor of logarithms, died
offices opened
1802
Dorthea Dix, educator-poet, born
Virginia completed
Confederate evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg,
1841
President William Henry Harrison died after a
month in office
2
Jesse James, outlaw, shot by his own gang for
1850
Los Angeles incorporated as a city
the reward
1870
California legislature passed the act creating
4
Daniel Steinman wrecked off Nova Scotia
Golden Gate Park
7
Johannas Brahms, composer, died
1895
Nebraska's legislature adopted the Goldenrod
8
George Jessel, "Toastmaster General," born
as the state flower and the nick-
Henry R. Luce, founder of Time magazine, born
name "Tree-planter state"
7
Standard Oil of Indiana fined for accepting
1896
Robert Sherwood, playwright, born
freight rebates
1905
Kangra, India, rocked by an earthquake
2
Hungarian government suspended the Croatian
1912
Isaac K. Funk, Wagnalls' publishing partner, died
constitution
1920
Nebraska completed its first test on tractors
1
Marlon Brando, actor, born
1924
Gil Hodges, baseball player, born
1932
Tony Perkins, actor, born
2
APRIL
Births
Deaths
A Writer Flees
Charlemagne (king of the Franks)
Arthur (Prince of Wales) 1502; St
On his birthday today in 1840, Emile
742; Casanova (lover and scoundrel)
Francis of Paula (saint) 1508; Thomas
Zola, the French naturalistic novelist,
1752: Hans Christian Andersen
Carte (historian) 1754.
escaped to England having been
(writer) 1805; Emile Zola (writer)
charged with defamation of several
1840.
Today's Luck
eminent persons in his writings
Persons born on this day can look to
concerning the Esterhazy Court
certain colours to bring luck. They
Martial.
Expires
should wear all shades of green from
From his earliest years St Francis of
the darkest to the lightest. Cream and
The Undeserving and
Paula made patience, charity, and
white are lucky to a somewhat lesser
Worthless Rich
humility the bases of his conduct. At
extent, but all dark colours, especially
"Wealth daily bestows his greatest
the age of nineteen St Francis became
dark red, purple, and black are to be
Kindnesses on the undeserving and
founder of an eminent religious
avoided at all costs. Any pale green
worthless for the glorious cause of
order. He performed several miracles
stone, as well as pearls and
Lucre, I will do anything, be anything,
during his life, including raising a
moonstones will assure reasonable
but the horse-leech of private
young man from the dead. He died of
fortune, but for absolute certainty of
oppression, or the vulture of public
a fever on April 2 in the year 1508,
good luck a piece of jade must be
robbery!"
being 99 years old.
carried next to the skin at all times.
Robert Burns, April 2, 1789
First Congress, 1718
The Indian Connection, 1870
Design Sense, 1792
through
The U.S. Mint was authorised to produce copper coins in
Ten-Cent Movie, 1902
one-cent and half-cent pieces. There were four designs:
America's first moving picture cinema opened in Los
the "chain" cent, the "wreathed" cent, the "flowing hair"
Angeles. The Electric Theatre, domiciled in a tent under
cent, and the "liberty cap" cent.
the management of Thomas L. Tally, charged ten cents for
admission to a one-hour show.
In America, 1917
ENTAL MIND BUSINESS YOUR CORRENCA
President Woodrow Wilson declared the "world safe for
CONST
democracy."
WE
ARE
President Woodrow Wilson called for a declaration of war
ONE
on Germany.
In England, 1918
SAFE
1776
An evening curfew marked the rationing of gas and
electric lights in England as a war conservation measure.
In France, 1925
The French finance minister, M. Clemental, was forced to
Punjab Annexed, 1849
resign after it was discovered that the Bank of France had
India annexed the neighbouring state of Punjab.
issued several milliards over the legally permitted
number of bank notes.
Standard RWC
My thanks to Churchill Roberts for his kind introduction.
I am so glad to have been invited to speak.
Being here reminds me of a talk I gave a couple of years
ago at a global communications seminar at the
University of Nebraska. The host spent a little time
talking about the state of affairs in the USSR and the
Eastern bloc, and then, gesturing towards me, said,
"and now we are going to hear the latest dope from
Washington "
I never figured out if that was premeditated or not.
Well, here I am, straight from Washington, the
throbbing heart of America's government, the center of
its bureaucratic web.
On that subject, before I get serious, let me tell you my
favorite government story.
One day, a shepherd was standing in a field outside
Pensacola with his sheep dog and a huge flock of sheep.
He watched a car go by on I-10, stop, and a nondescript
fellow got out, walked down the embankment and
came over to the shepherd.
As you know, ! work for the federal government
at the Voice of America, the intersection of
diplomacy and journalism, two frankly incompatible
pursuits.
It has been a very busy time at the VOA lately. What has
been occurring in the USSR and Eastern Europe is
nothing short of amazing. We are reporting on, and the
world is witnessing, one of the most remarkable periods
in the twentieth century.
I am tempted to say it is the most remarkable period,
given the nature of what's happening. Dramatic events
-- at least the ones which make headlines -- tend to be
bad news, a crisis or disaster. As all of you who are
studying journalism know, good news is often slow to
come into focus, no matter how large it looms on the
horizon.
The pace of good news since we first began to hear of
glasnost and perestroika has been simply stunning. And
it has changed not only what we report, but how we
report it as well.
When I arrived at the Voice of America just four years
ago, the Soviets were spending up to a half a billion
dollars a year just to jam our signals to keep their
citizens from hearing the truth.
Now, the Soviets not only have stopped jamming VOA,
the official government paper, Isvestia, has become one
of our strongest supporters. People living in times of
peace Isvestia recently declared -- need the VOA no less
than people who had lived during the period of the
Cold War.
The desire to know more has led VOA to improbable
ventures. We now have an office in Warsaw and a
bureau in Moscow. And in several countries, VOA is
carried on what such a short time ago were official,
state-run Communist stations.
This shift from adversaries to colleagues has its personal
twists, too. One of our announcers, a Hungarian
journalist who defected to the west several years ago, is
now doing joint broadcasts with her former boss at
Radio Budapest.
Four years ago - indeed one year ago -- if you had
predicted the events that allowed this to happen, no
one would have believed you. One ends up almost
nostalgic about yesterday.
One of the first glimmers of things to come occurred in
August, 1988. It was the twentieth anniversary of the
Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia -- twenty years since
tanks and artillery put an end to the hopeful Prague
Spring.
The day of the anniversary, crowds gathered to
commemorate their fading glimpse of freedom. And
that evening, on the Voice of America, they heard the
first western interview with the champion of their cause
- the ousted leader Alexander Dubcek.
That day took even the most optimistic off-guard. A
human rights activist said, "None of us, opposition or
officials, believed that 10,000 young people would
demonstrate on that day. And when the VOA
correspondent broadcast his piece that night on Voice
of America, people throughout the republic realized
that something fundamental had changed."
People throughout the world realized something
fundamental had changed when, in China the next
spring, thousands of young people began demanding
reform. Their numbers swelled to millions as they were
joined by young and old, workers and peasants across
the nation.
In Romania, at the same time, the people were thrilled
to learn -- via American radio -- that six top officials
dared confront their leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, by
demanding reform.
The Romanian dictator had the officials arrested. The
Chinese dictators did worse.
I want to talk about China in a moment, but first, I'd like
to point out something else that happened on June
fourth, the day the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square.
The day a dream was dashed in China, a dream was
realized in Poland. On June fourth, Poles voted in their
first fair election in more than forty years. The people
spoke. And Solidarity won.
The pace of change in Eastern Europe accelerated.
In Berlin, the hated wall came down. In Czechoslovakia,
Dubcek was vindicated. In Romania, a dictatorship was
toppled. And in Lithuania, just last week, people voted
to push their once free country closer to freedom once
again. [MAY WANT TO MENTION RESULTS OF RUSSIAN
ELECTIONS, MARCH 4TH]
The wave of freedom was just that - a wave. And the
courage and faith that made all this happen were
bourne, in part, by information -- by word of mouth, by
telephone, by fax machine. And by radio.
In the west, we tend to take for granted an almost
limitless access to information. New technology makes
it seem even more a basic fact of our lives. But for much
of the world, radio remains a primary means of finding
out about the world. And it is a handful of radios --
VOA, and the BBC prime among them -- that offers a
balanced view of what is going on.
Access to information played a direct, immediate role in
recent events. But I would also like to argue that it was
a prominent factor in the struggle that preceded them.
I said a moment ago that good is often slow to triumph.
That is often the case, too, I believe, -- and we see it in
our lives -- about the effect of information.
For so many, for so long, knowledge of the outside
world and of their own world has been denied people
by their rulers. Which is why, for nearly fifty years, VOA,
along with other international broadcasters, has
provided news to people hungry for information.
Communist governments used their media to spread
lies, and jammed the signals of western media that
spread news. The free flow of information is a
dangerous thing -- if you are a dictator.
The attempt to control what people knew or thought
finds its most chilling example in Romania's security
forces. Ceausescu took young children out of
orphanages and raised them in his perfect, isolated
totalitarian world. He raised slaves and killers.
That example is extreme, yet it is the logical extreme of
lies and jamming and isolation from information. But
short of Ceausescu's grotesque efforts - and those of a
few others - there really is no way to create an isolated
world. The Iron Curtain had holes.
There were limited contacts between East and West.
Their were underground media, smuggled books,
whispered conversations. And there were the
international radios.
President Kennedy once told VOA to make information
flow "across iron curtains and stone walls" to create an
open market of ideas. The U.S. Congress paid for VOA
broadcasts with taxpayer dollars and got a bargain in
return. For two cents per listener each year, 127 million
plus listeners tune in each week.
Isn't it incredible how Western all those Eastern
Europeans sound in talking about freedom, democracy,
free enterprise, environmental concerns? They didn't
get if from their own media or text books. And they
didn't get it from Western commercial media, which has
little experience, limited audience and no financial
incentive in many of these countries.
And isn't it incredible that they knew so much about
what their governments were up to, even though the
governments went to great lengths to keep them
secret?
In the Soviet Union, people have been well aware of the
problems the government causes them in their day to
day lives. VOA, however, has given them the
background on how those problems came about. 31
million people there -- Russians, Georgians, Ukranians,
Estonians -- listen to us in 9 languages everyday.
For many years, the Soviet media portrayed the invasion
of Afghanistan as a noble effort to help the poor
citizens of that country. The Soviet people were
supposed to believe that comely Afghan women were
out greeting the soldiers with garlands in hand. But
VOA and other international broadcasters gave a
different picture, one that jibed with the
disillusionment of returning veterans. And as we found
out here in America, you can't win a war without
popular support.
Citizen disaffection was rampant throughout the USSR
because they knew we gave them the truth about that
war and the Soviet media didn't.
Vladimir Snegirev, a Soviet journalist, called this "sheer
stupidity" on the part of the Soviet press. But it is more
than a political blunder to lie. Access to information is a
matter of compassion, of morality. And it is a
fundamental human right.
A Romanian woman wrote from Bucharest recently:
"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for
keeping us informed, day by day, and year by year,
about what was happening in the world and in our
country. You were the only means we had not to lose all
hope. You were our balm for our hopeless and
desperate souls."
In Poland, a Gdansk housewife told one of our
correspondents, and I quote, "VOA has been my only
comfort these past seven years. I don't know how we
would have made it through martial law and its
aftermath without it."
Czechoslovakian students honored VOA by sending a
package containing barbed wire, a piece of that
despised fence cut away from the Czechoslovak-
Austrian border last summer. It was their way of saying
thank you.
Just as information can have its effect on individuals, so,
too, can it work to keep governments a little less
reckless.
Half a world away, in Cuba, where Castro praises the
hardliners in China and decries the reform of those he
emulated for 30 years in the Eastern Bloc, people can
hear what is really happening and what the rest of the
world is thinking by listening to Radio Marti. VOA
began Radio Marti in 1985. Since then, we have seen
the way knowledge can overcome deceit, and even
force concessions on the part of the deceivers.
After Radio Marti told of the incredible AIDS risk in
Angola and other Central African countries where Cuba
has stationed tens of thousands of soldiers, the Minister
of Health announced an AIDS detection plan, even
while denying that such a threat existed on the island.
And prodded by Marti, the Cuban media recently has
been tackling subjects that had previously been taboo.
Castro himself said the reason for the livelier
programming on state radio and t.v. is to win back
listeners from Radio Marti.
Now Castro is up in arms about our plans for TV Marti.
His officials claim they have nothing against the free
flow of information -- they just don't want any
uncensored news to come their way. Actually, the
proposal for TV Marti has already prompted Castro to
accept CNN's International Hour for broadcast in Cuba.
The program displays a diversity of opinion in its
coverage of international events -- if not the balance we
have come to expect from western news sources -- and
that is a start.
A desire to have a voice, to hear the voices of others --
that has been the biggest threat to any dictatorship.
Perhaps no other place better demonstrates the effect
of that desire, both in an immediate sense, and over the
long term, than China.
During the past decade, the Chinese government not
only tolerated our broadcasts but, on occasion, actually
encouraged people to listen and to learn. And tens of
millions Chinese did, and do.
Deng Xiaoping's aim was to bring western science and
technology to China. But there was a catch to this. He
wanted western economics without western social or
political ideas. Nonetheless, information seeped
through.
For a lucky few Chinese, learning about the rest of the
world came through traveling and living abroad. For
the vast majority of Chinese, however, much of their
unrestricted information came to them over the radio.
VOA, reporting in Chinese and English, is the most
listened to international broadcaster in China.
So, along with news on science and technology, people
in China learned about things like Solidarity in Poland.
-- People power in the Philippines.
-- Glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union.
-- And the abundant harvest of western thought and
institutions.
But when the Chinese people wanted change for
themselves, it was more than the government could
stand.
One of the first moves of the hardliners when they
declared martial law in late May was to stem the free
flow of information. They cut off live broadcasts so that
it would be harder for people in the rest of the world to
know what was going on. And they began to jam the
news coming in.
Then, in the early morning hours of June fourth, they
cut down the people themselves.
Immediately, the government denied what happened.
"No one died in Tiananmen Square," they said. And
through terror and coercion, they tried to make this lie
work.
One young man, a student, was sentenced to nine years
in prison. His "crime?" Telephoning VOA in
Washington and reporting a protest that he had
witnessed.
Police arrested another young man for placing a radio
tuned to VOA in the window of a restaurant so
passersby could hear our broadcasts. He did this three
days after the massacre. Officials spent six months
hunting him down, so fearful are they of letting the
truth be heard. His name was Liu Chengwu. He, too,
received a long prison sentence.
But despite the clampdown, the arrests, the jamming,
we know the tragedy of June fourth. We know of the
repression that now blackens China.
We know. They know. The world knows. We might not
be aware of every detail, but for all its reliance on brute
force, the Chinese government cannot stop news from
crossing boundaries.
They, like Castro, have understood this somewhat. And,
right now, few things threaten them more than news of
the outside world. To protect themselves from the
effects of information, they have made an effort at spin
control.
For example, when reporting on events in Germany,
Beijing television buries the story in its international
segment, referring to it as some sort of unexceptional
change in visa laws. The Berlin Wall is not even
mentioned.
But as one Chinese worker who listens to VOA told the
Washington Post, "Right now, everything is quiet in
China. But someday, we'll explode again, just like the
East Germans."
The leaders know that. And they are scared.
When news came to China that Romanians had
overthrown Ceausescu, the parallels to their own
situation were not lost on the hardliners.
They immediately increased the security forces in
Beijing, cancelled all military leave, and put the troops
on standby alert.
The government understands that the power of
communication is such that a worker in Beijing, even an
illiterate farmer in a rice field, knowing nothing but his
mother tongue, can know that people all over Eastern
Europe are standing up for their basic human rights.
China's leaders have a curious way of denouncing what
international broadcasters do. They call it -- and they
mean this perjoratively -- "peaceful evolution." In fact,
that's their catch-phrase for western influence.
I'm rather fond of the denunciation. What more could
we ask for anyone living under tyranny than "peaceful
evolution" away from it?
In many parts of the world, this peaceful evolution is
well on its way. There is still, however, much left to be
done.
What can we do?
In China, we can let people know we believe in the
ultimate triumph of the dreams of millions, not the
desperate, brutal actions of a few.
In the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, people right
now are rewriting their futures.
We can help by giving them information. Information
on the historical and theoretical underpinnings of
democracy. Information on how a fair judicial system is
put in place. How laws are made. How free markets
work. There is a saying that everyone in Moscow knows
that Baskin Robbins carries 31 flavors of ice cream. Now
what they want to know is how 31 separate production
lines work and how anyone could have enough free
time to try all those 31 flavors -- and when can they get
just a few of them.
The information they want can come to them over the
radio, or through government exchanges or through
the training programs of private corporations and
professional groups.
All will help.
Information plays a part in fulfilling the third, and I
believe occasionally overlooked, "inalienable right"
that forms the core of our society: the pursuit of
happiness.
Life and liberty are being recognized as fundamental
rights in a way we could only have dreamed about a
year ago. But building societies that make basic
economic, educational and health-related goals easier
to obtain is everyone's next step.
When Vaclav Havel, the newly elected President of
Czechoslovakia came by VOA recently, he not only
thanked VOA for, as he said, helping to bring about the
peaceful revolution; he asked us to keep informing
them, this time on how to rebuild his country.
Whether it's a request from the president of a newly
free nation seeking information on how a democratic
society works, or a student in Shanghai wanting to
know more about freedom of speech, or a local official
in Nigeria asking how to ensure clean water for his
village, VOA, by providing information, can help.
Before I end, I just want to note that VOA is facing
another challenge these days. In this period of
expanding possibilities, we are faced with contracting
resources. VOA is not an expensive operation -- as I said,
two cents a year for each of our weekly listeners --
however, government-wide budget cutbacks is forcing
us to scale down our efforts. We are doing everything in
our power to keep the information flowing.
By encouraging that flow, we all will benefit. It helps
everyone to form opinions to make decisions about our
lives, our families, and our societes. As the last year has
so dramatically proven, public opinion does make a
difference.
The Voice of America, and the voices of America, are
part of that critical difference. Thank you. It was a
great pleasure to be here.
####
VOICE OF AMERICA
BROADCASTING FOR
THE 90s
/
VOA
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT VOA
May I say how proud I am of the thor-
Ironically, the very vehicles of infor-
The strongest weapon available to the
ough professionalism and credibility
mation that have played such a crucial
Chinese people is the truth and VOA
of VOA broadcasts I have often
role in opening up and transforming
is without question the most powerful
thought that one 500 kW transmitter is
the East Bloc - Voice of America, Ra-
and direct way to get the truth to the
probably worth a silo full of missiles or
dio Free Europe, Radio Liberty - are
Chinese people. We commend your
an entire bomber fleet., Look at the
little understood as the leading protag-
determination and hard work in bring-
vital role played by shortwave during
onists in this new era. American for-
ing the voice of democracy to the trou-
the recent crisis in China You are
eign policy students I speak to little
bled Chinese population and believe
appreciated here at home.
understand and indeed often scoff at
that ongoing VOA operations merit
such 'invisible' long-term policy tools.
continued Congressional support in
Dr. Teddy David Lisle, historian
Yet it is these tools that have truly
the future.
Louisville, Kentucky
transformed these societies.
Thirty-eight members of the
It was sheer stupidity. Our press never
Georgie Anne Geyer
101st Congress
talked about the war (in Afghanistan),
Syndicated columnist
but Voice of America talked about it
Everyone thanked Radio Free Europe
every day and people listened in huge
Since its inception, VOA Europe has
and Voice of America (for broadcasts)
numbers Soviet public opinion about
come a long way and is emerging as an
that were absolutely critical to what
the war in Afghanistan was shaped in
exciting approach as the world
happened after Timisoara. (The shoot-
large part by Western sources of infor-
political and economic map is being
ings there) were not covered by the
mation.
redrawn
Romanian press, but they were report-
ed on VOA and RFE and BBC (which
Vladimir Snegirev
Congressman Dante Fascell
carried) sounds of the firing (and) in-
Soviet journalist
Chairman, House Foreign Affairs
terviews (with eyewitnesses). Every-
Committee
one felt the same way, but it took (the
In order for a radio station to be effec-
news of that event) to bring them to-
tive and popular among its listeners,
VOA is the most respected foreign
gether. I asked if they will need Radio
first it should gain their confidence
broadcast station.
Free Europe and VOA and the others
and trust. It can do so by providing
Ion Cateveica, Moldavian
now. They told me absolutely.
accurate news and informative pro-
grams. I and many others think you
Democratic Movement
Congressman Frank Wolf
are such a radio station.
following his trip to Romania
VOA's program for Brazil, USA, in my
in January 1990
A listener in Iran
opinion, represents public diplomacy
at its best.
I have been following your daily pro-
For the past four years, the impact of
grams for quite a long time and I com-
Jolyon Naegele, the VOA's Eastern
Dr. Churchill Roberts
pliment you for impartiality in treating
Europe correspondent, on Czechoslo-
West Florida University
every subject - social, economic or
vak politics has been greater than most
political. Among them is the frighten-
journalists can dream of in a lifetime.
Throughout the year, and especially
A fluent Czech speaker, Naegele has
during the critical period between
ing problems of drugs and the destruc-
tion that it causes among people of all
communicated the ironic nuances of
mid-April and his expulsion, I was im-
Czechoslovak reality to people inside
pressed by (VOA Beijing correspon-
ages and races. The plans of your gov-
dent) Pessin's work. He understood
ernment to fight this problem seem to
the country more effectively than any-
and was able to convey the exact feel
be the best. It is necessary to destroy
one else before him.
the growers and sellers of drugs before
and mood of events. His reporting
Misha Glenny
never became emotional or unbal-
they destroy humanity.
BBC World Service
anced even on the day of his ouster.
A listener in Benguela, Angola
He had good sources, sharp insights,
humanity and depth.
Michael Berlin, journalist,
Fulbright lecturer in Beijing
SPEAKING TO A WORLD TURNED
UPSIDE DOWN
From the Director's Desk
In the 1990s, VOA is well suited to take
Just before his unplanned departure
Radio listeners in the 1990s have an
on the challenge of speaking to a world
from Beijing, VOA correspondent Al
equally insatiable appetite for quality
that has turned upside down. Last
Pessin received a phone call from a
programming and quality reception.
April, a Radio Beijing delegation spent
university student who had seen
To hold their attention, international
several days at VOA - a visit that was
friends shot or forced into hiding. This
broadcasters compete against each
part of an ongoing exchange. In less
young man had every reason to be
other and against the attractive pull of
than three months, however, their
dispirited, yet he told Pessin: "Don't be
FM radio, television, and VCRs. VOA
government would come to view VOA
discouraged." Pessin and his VOA col-
is a formidible contender. We produce
"as a thorn in its side." For the first time
leagues are far from discouraged, but
1,000 hours of programming each
in 11 years, jamming of our broadcasts
they need resources.
week in more than 40 languages for
resumed in China and two VOA corre-
broadcast to audiences worldwide by a
spondents were expelled. Nonethe-
Broadcasting in the 90s -
powerful - though aging - network
less, millions of Chinese still depend
of 108 transmitters. Our broadcasts of-
on VOA for news about their own
Criteria and Challenges
fer the most up-to-the-minute news,
country and news of those astound-
extensive on-the-scene coverage by
ingly rapid changes occurring in East-
Worldwide there is an insatiable appe-
correspondents in 25 bureaus, and in-
ern Europe and the Soviet Union.
tite for information on every possible
terviews with newsmakers across
In the wake of those events, Europe-
subject - human rights, the war on
America and across the world. A
ans have reported on VOA's impact in
drugs, ecology, finding a cure for
wealth of reports, documentaries and
their countries and emphasized that
AIDS, children's health. VOA broad-
discussion programs is produced by
the broadcasts are as important as ever
casts cover them all. Last year, a
VOA broadcasters who have made it
if not more so. A young Romanian
two-year old Russian boy, Kirill Podor-
their mission to report authoritatively
woman told an American correspon-
ozhansky, had only days to live when
on politics, economics, science, the
dent: "VOA is the most important
doctors at Montefiore Medical Center
arts and a dozen other fields. One of
broadcast. Not only food and medicine
in New York City removed a tumor
the most used reporting tools is the
are needed, but we need to know what
from his brain. The idea of Kirill's jour-
telephone. We use it to speak with
is being said about us." Listeners in the
ney to the United States for that opera-
specialists in nearly every U.S. state,
Soviet Union share her views. As a
tion was born months earlier when his
and contacts and stringers all over the
prominent Russian art editor informed
grandmother - a VOA listener - ap-
world. We also use program quality
us: "There is an ever growing need for
pealed to Russian Service medical edi-
satellite link-ups. Multi-city radio in-
constructive and well-meaning analy-
tor Irene Kelner for help. Dr. Kelner
teractives and listener call-in programs
sis from abroad concerning Soviet
and colleague Irina Burgener worked
have added new dimensions to VOA
conditions."
tirelessly to locate medical help for him
programming.
Indeed, the importance of VOA
and assist in arranging his trip to the
Since the mid-80s, VOA also has
broadcasts in every world area has
U.S. Their efforts also generated a last-
used satellite circuits to provide an
been strongly endorsed by political
ing relationship between the Chil-
ever increasing number of radio sta-
leaders, dissidents, journalists, artists,
dren's Craniofacial Foundation and
tions with programming for their
educators, students, and others who
the Soviet Children's Fund which will
airwaves that reaches millions of addi-
listen to our broadcasts or know of
aid other youngsters.
tional listeners - listeners who would
their impact.
This remarkable feedback has en-
couraged a highly motivated staff. De-
spite their shrinking numbers, the
VOA team eagerly shoulders extra
burdens that will improve our capacity
to compete effectively and fulfill the
information needs of listeners. But the
spending power of our resources has
decreased by $36 million over the past
three years. All too frequently this ob-
ligates VOA management to "just say
no." It is difficult to explain to a corre-
spondent who has risked bullets flying
through his hotel room as he filed a
report that we must close another
VOA news bureau; to tell reporters
eager to cover America's heartland,
that our mobile studio must remain
parked; to direct engineers to reduce
transmitter power; or to inform a ser-
vice chief that airtime must be cut.
Director Richard Carlson (right) talks with VOA Capitol Hill correspondent David Borgida in
the new John Houseman Memorial Studio. David's father, Tibor, began his VOA career
working with Mr. Houseman in New York.
Broadcasting For the 90s
seldom hear a foreign broadcast. Elec-
broadcasts: 15 minute programs in
tronic program delivery is, in fact, cen-
An Opportunity To Report
German, French, Italian, and English
tral to our efforts to expand our global
beamed across the Atlantic by a dozen
The Victories Of The 90s
network. Partnerships between inter-
borrowed transmitters. By mid-1943,
national and domestic broadcasters are
the Voice of America had become an
This is a time of matchless opportu-
increasing. In less than five years, our
nity. The VOA staff of the 1940s was
international broadcast service of con-
VOA Europe network has grown to in-
siderable magnitude employing nearly
eager for the day when they would
clude affiliates in 16 countries. In Bra-
3,000 staff members to produce and
have victories to report - the victory
zil, our USA program - inaugurated
transmit programs in 27 languages.
of western armies over the Axis pow-
ers that held much of the world
in 1988 - is beamed by a Sao Paulo
A roster of those men and women
broadcaster to some 4.5 million listen-
enslaved. This generation of VOA
would reveal a collection of native and
ers. Two years ago, our broadcasts to
broadcasters is eager to report on the
foreign luminaries - journalists, pub-
Poland were jammed. Now, we have a
world's most recent victory, the vic-
lishers, executives, actors, directors,
news bureau in Warsaw and Poland's
tory of freedom. Millions in China, Po-
economists, philosphers, poets, art-
most important national broadcasts
land, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bur-
ists, musicians, educators and finan-
carry VOA programs including a live
ma, Romania and Bulgaria - as well
ciers - of such celebrity that it is
newscast. Today, VOA seeks two-way
as sub-Sahara Africa - will tell you
almost impossible to believe they were
communication with its listeners. We
how VOA has inspired them this past
all ever assembled under one roof.
have installed automatic answering
year and for many years before that.
VOA's wartime broadcasts were en-
and recording telephones in some ser-
Their quest for freedom continues.
riched by people like Joseph Barnes,
vices so that our listeners can easily
And so does VOA's indispensible
Yul Brynner, Woody Guthrie, Helen
reach us with their comments. VOA
mission as an intellectual greengrocer
Hayes, Richard C. Hottelet, Archibald
Farsi receives more than 25 calls a day
to the world, providing food for the
Mac Leish, Burgess Meredith, John
sustenance of common ideals. Given
which provide instant and valuable
Steinbeck, Paul Stewart, and Wendell
feedback. In the immediate aftermath
Willkie.
1
the resources, we welcome the oppor-
of "Beijing's Spring," a similiar unit re-
tunity.
In the decades since, the broadcast
corded hundreds of calls to our Chi-
requirements assigned to VOA have
nese Service. It was distressing to read
varied widely. The Voice has pro-
¹John Houseman's Front and Center.
that a young art student was sen-
duced programming in as few as 10
tenced to prison for nine years on a
languages and in as many as 44. A
charge that he made one of those calls.
number of broadcast services have, in
VOA also endeavors to make a last-
fact, experienced two and three rein-
ing contribution to global communica-
carnations. Broadcasts have been
tion by providing training to foreign
slashed to as little as 560 program
media personnel. More than 1,100
hours weekly, then escalated to more
journalists, announcers, technicians
than 1,200.
Wanson
and managers from 106 countries have
The tenet of VOA broadcasting,
participated in the workshops, issues
however, remained unchanged and
RICHARD W. CARLSON
seminars and university courses devel-
unchangeable: to provide truthful
oped by VOA's International Training
DIRECTOR
news and information. John House-
Center.
man set our course when he said: "We
February 23, 1990
would have to report our reverses
Establishing A Reputation
without weaseling. Only thus could
we establish a reputation for honesty
For Honesty
which we hoped would pay off on that
distant, but inevitable day when we
This month, the largest of our new
would start reporting our victories."
studios will be dedicated to the late
Today, that "reputation for honesty" is
John Houseman author, producer,
worldwide. Some 127 million people
actor and the Voice of America's first
turn to VOA for programming that is
director. Forty-eight years ago,
informative, educational, thought-
Mr. Houseman accepted playwright
provoking and entertaining. Foreign
Robert Sherwood's request that he or-
broadcast organizations in every world
ganize and direct an American radio
are - from national services to small
station that would broadcast to a world
stereo FM stations - also seek us out
at war. On February, 24, 1942, an-
as a source of credible news and com-
nouncers in studios on Madison Ave-
prehensive information and relay
nue in New York delivered the first
VOA directly to their listeners.
Broadcasting For the 90s
WORLD BAND
Today, you can hold the world in your
China, students put up wall posters,
hand! With a 7 by 11 centimeter radio,
with the latest news drawn from VOA
CONTENTS
London or Moscow, Washington or
and other external broadcast sources.
Montreal, Tokyo or Melbourne are at
In Tiananmen Square, one could hear
your fingertips - you are in touch
a hush settle over the demonstrators
with world band. 1
when VOA Mandarin came on the air.
World band is the new and
The links between international radio
World Band glimpses of
increasingly popular designation for
and the demonstrations in Wenceslas
internatinal broadcasting
international shortwave broadcasts.
Square and elsewhere in the Eastern
in the 1990s
1
Beginning the 90s with a new identifi-
Bloc were less visible than they were in
cation as well as an array of new
China, but no less real. Dissidents and
Leading International
technologies seems appropriate for a
journalists recalled how Western
Broadcasters
2
global communications activity that
broadcasts had, for more than 40
has never ceased evolving since the
years, kept the people of the Warsaw
America's Global
4
first broadcasts were transmitted 63
Pact countries in touch with world
Communicator
years ago. Each week now, the exter-
events.
nal broadcast services of governments,
The VOA Charter
5
religious groups and commercial orga-
Trends In the 1990s
nizations beam some 25,000 hours of
Direct Broadcasts
6
programming to audiences in other
countries. Some external services are
Major international broadcast organi-
Networking
7
intent on attracting listeners in a single
zations cannot be and are not compla-
region, but major broadcasters such as
cent. To maintain - and indeed
The People
8
VOA, BBC, Radio Moscow, Radio
extend - listenership in the coming
Japan, Deutsche Welle, and Radio
decade, they are improving the audi-
The Programs
9
Beijing seek worldwide audiences. In-
bility of their transmissions, producing
deed, the existence of 1.5 billion radios
programming that has a 90s sound,
The Sounds
12
- 400 million of which can receive
and reaching out to audiences through
shortwave signals - insures that this
local media. In doing so, broadcasters
VOA's Transmitter
is a realistic goal. 2
are becoming international communi-
Network
14
The competition for listeners is in-
cators as well as shortwave radio ser-
creasing. International services not
vices. Hardly a day passed in 1989
The Interantional
only compete against each other but
without some new development in
Training Program
15
other media as well including stereo
World Band - here are but a few. Ma-
FM stations, foreign and domestic tele-
jor broadcast organizations are invest-
Radio Marti
16
vision, and VCRs. But as Deutsche
ing in state-of-the-art studios, satellite
Welle reporter Gunter Roessler noted
circuits and high-powered transmit-
TV Marti
17
recently, competing media will always
ters. Last year, BBC completed anoth-
be "only an addition never a replace-
er major segment of its $158 million
VOA At a Glance
18
ment for shortwave radio." There is
worldwide audibility enhancement
wide agreement that listeners will con-
program. In recent years, BBC has
VOA-A Global View
19
tinue to be drawn to international I
opened relay stations in Hong Kong
broadcasts whether to obtain uncen-
and the Seychelles and last September,
Blueprints for
sored news, supplement limited infor-
two transmitters were added to its As-
the 90s
20
mation sources, or simply to pursue
cension Island relay station. BBC and
"planet earth's daily newspaper for
Radio Netherlands also announced
the ears."³
plans to pursue construction of a joint
facility in East Asia. In March, Deut-
Shortwave Radio Can
sche Welle (DW) inaugurated a power-
Written by:
Barbara Schiele
ful longwave transmitter that will
Art Director:
Change the World
deliver programs to major cities in
Carmelo Ciancio
Eastern Europe and is planning to
Editorial Assistant:
The incredible events of 1989 offered
modernize existing relay stations in
Barbara Callihan
compelling evidence of the continuing
Antigua, Portugal and Rwanda.
importance of direct international
Major broadcasters also continued
broadcasts. As a December 29 story in
to pursue transmitter leases or ex-
the Washington Post reported, short-
changes. Radio Japan acquired time on
wave radio helped to shape the revolu-
Radio France International's Guiana
tion in Romania. The importance of
station, Radio Moscow is considering a
foreign broadcasts - particularly
lease arrangement with Africa Num-
VOA's - to China's pro-democracy
ber One in Gabon, and a private Euro-
movement was another much-report-
pean company is confident that major
ed news story in 1989. Throughout
broadcasters will be eager to lease
Broadcasting For the 90s
I
the three 500 kW transmitters the
LEADING INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS
firm is constructing in the Cape Verde
islands.
(More than 300 program hours weekly)
Languages
HPW
Satellite Link-ups Will Be
Radio Moscow (Includes Peace & Progress and Radio
69
1787
Magallanes but not the radio services of the Soviet Republics)
Essential To Production In
The 90s
Radio Beijing (and PRC services to Taiwan)
43
1444
Voice of America (Including Radio Marti)
43
1217
For decades, the best international
Voice of Free China, Taiwan (Including services to PRC)
18
1149
services have been acquiring experi-
ence in communicating with foreign
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
23
1097
audiences. That experience now gives
Deutsche Welle & Deutschelandfunk, FRG
35
843
them a competitive edge over media -
print, audio or visual - which rely
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
36
757
only on language translations. The
Trans World Radio
61
556
best external services will continue to
offer programming that reflects com-
Radio Berlin International
11
485
prehensive knowledge of their listen-
Voice of the Andes
15
485
ers' cultures, language usage, frames
of reference, information needs and
All India Radio
24
470
interests, but they will also strive to
Radio Tirana, Albania
21
459
enhance programming by introducing
new formats, updating presentation
Radio Seoul
12
436
and increasing live coverage.
Radio South Africa
15
415
Satellites have become essentíal to
communicating in the 1990s. Whether
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran
18
404
the circuits carry a reporter's interview
Radio Cairo
32
381
with a newsmaker in another country,
an exchange between foreign corre-
Radio Pyongyang, North Korea
9
356
spondent and program anchor, a dis-
Radio Havana, Cuba
9
352
cussion among experts in half a dozen
cities, or a multinational listener
Radio Australia
9
345
call-in, conversations by satellite are
Radio Monte Carlo
4
333
an invaluable programming asset.
Competitive stations carry them with
Radio Spain
8
331
increasing frequency.
Radio France International
12
326
Last year, Deutsche Welle and Gos-
telradio in Moscow linked up for a spe-
Radio Netherlands
9
322
cial program on Gorbachev's visit to
Radio Sofia, Bulgaria
12
317
Bonn. In late summer, studios at Radio
Budapest, VOA, BBC and Radio Swit-
Turkish Radio and Television (TRT)
16
307
zerland International became a unique
Far East Broadcasting Corporation
21
305
electronic forum for a discussion of
World War II among leading histori-
Radio Japan (NHK)
21
301
ans. And in November, VOA and
Poland's national radio joined in cov-
ering Lech Walesa's speech to the U.S.
Congress - the first live East-West
October 1985. Subsequent innovations
France International - have also
presentation of a major news event.
followed rapidly and today, satellites
begun electronic delivery. BBC now
transmit VOA programs in 21 lan-
satellite-delivers programming in a va-
guages to an ever-increasing number
riety of languages to affiliates in 14
Cooperative Programming
of stations in Africa, Latin America,
West European countries. A Washing-
Ventures Between
East Asia, the Middle East and - most
ton, D. C. station also carries BBC Ara-
International Broadcasters
recently - Eastern Europe. While
bic three hours each day. As BBC
And Local Radio Stations
Europeans and Latin Americans are
World Service Director John Tusa not-
hearing live VOA broadcasts on local
ed recently: "We remain committed to
Continue To Grow
stations, a U.S. cable company - C-
shortwave broadcasts, but FM and AM
Span - is making it possible for some
are vital if we are to reach the next
Satellite transmissions have also
30 million American homes and offices
generation of radio listeners with
opened the door to an increasing num-
to receive VOA's English-to-Africa
sound quality worthy of the 1990s."
ber of cooperative ventures between
news programs and the major interna-
major international broadcasters and
tional broadcasts of other countries.
domestic radio stations from small
C-Span now offers BBC around the
FMs to national broadcast services.
1Daniel Kagan - A New Wave in the World of
clock and plans to open second
Radio - Insight Magazine, 2/20/89
VOA has led the way in electronic pro-
channel for the broadcasts of Radios
²Edward Epstein - San Francisco Chronicle,
gram distribution beginning with the
Canada, Japan, France and the Neth-
11/20/89
introduction of its VOA Europe broad-
erlands. Other major international
³Daniel Kagan A New Wave in the World of
cast on West European affiliates in
broadcasters like BBC and Radio
Radio - Insight Magazine, 2/20/89
2
Broadcasting For the 90s
VOICE OF AMERICA
Richard W. Carlson, Director
Robert Coonrod, Deputy Director
Radio
TV
Marti
Marti
Office of
Office
External
of
Affairs
Policy
Office of
Sidney Davis, Director
Walter La Fleur, Director
Office of Personnel
Administration
Office of Programs
Office of Engineering and
Technical Operations
News and English
Broadcasts
Management Services
Language Broadcasts
Operations
VOA Europe
Systems Engineering
Broadcast Operations
Projects Management
Voice of America
Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building
330 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20547
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 485-8238
Fax - (202) 485-8241
Broadcasting For the 90s
3
AMERICA'S GLOBAL COMMUNICATOR
Whether a resident of South America
During a previous assignment, Mos-
signment in a distant cities, the engi-
or South Asia, whether listening in
cow Bureau Chief Andre DeNesnera
neers at isolated transmitter sites, the
Hausa or Hungarian, nearly everyone
was elected president of the Associa-
writers, producers, librarians, pro-
in the world can be in instant touch
tion of Correspondents Accredited to
gram assistants and technicians in our
with the United States simply by tun-
the UN in Geneva. Alan Pessin served
headquarters. It has, in fact, given
ing in the Voice of America. In Sao
as vice president of the Foreign Corre-
them a common goal: to make VOA
Paulo or Singapore, Milan or Monro-
spondents Club of Beijing until his
broadcasts informative, educational,
via, and an ever-increasing number of
expulsion from China last year. Gil
thought-provoking, entertaining and
cities, it is not even necessary to own a
Butler is President of the Association
as pleasing to listeners' ears as technol-
shortwave radio because a VOA pro-
of the American Correspondents in
ogy will allow.
gram can be heard on a local station.
London, an office once held by such
As Boston Globe editor H.D.S. Green-
On even an ordinary day, a large seg-
distinguished journalists as Edward R.
way recently observed: "The power of
ment of the world's population -
Murrow, Drew Middleton, Elie Abel,
broadcasting to influence and effect
more than 127 million people¹ - is lis-
Rod Macleish, Ray Scherer and Ray-
change in the world has never been
tening to the Voice of America.
mond Swing.
greater; America's most important ex-
What they hear is fast, accurate and
In addition to world news, VOA
port should be the truth."
objective coverage of world news and
broadcasts in English and more than
unfiltered reaction to the day's events.
40 other languages cover a wide vari-
Indeed, credible and comprehensive
ety of topics - from politics and eco-
news coverage is the goal of Public
nomics to science and the arts. The
USIA's Office of Research estimates that
Law 94-350 - the VOA Charter. The
broadcasters who present them are
about 127 million adults regularly listen to
Charter sets VOA apart from all other
keenly aware that "microseconds after
VOA's direct broadcasts. This estimate does
U.S. news organizations. With its pas-
they speak, what they say has been
not include those who hear VOA programs on
domestic stations or the audiences of VOA
sage in July 1976, the Voice's
communicated to people in bedrooms,
tradition of truthful broadcasts was
living rooms, tents, cars, caravans.
Europe, the Brazilian Branch's USA program or
Radio Marti. Nor does it reflect the uncountable
mandated by both the legislative and
This direct link to our listeners is a
millions who are listening in China today.
executive branches of government.
source of inspiration for them and
²Former VOA director John Chancellor - Febru-
The Charter not only protects the in-
their colleagues - the reporters on as-
ary 1967
tegrity of Voice of America news, but
defines VOA's mission and establishes
the standards under which it operates.
To ensure accurate news coverage,
127 MILLION LISTENERS
VOA adheres to rigorous guidelines
for verification of all reports. At least
two independent sources must be
used in corroborating information in
cases when a VOA reporter cannot
verify such news directly.
VOA also seeks balancing material
whenever fairness dictates that other
USSR 32.1
viewpoints be presented.
Europe)
Regulations enacted in 1978 have
27.7
enhanced the ability of VOA corre-
China 17.0
spondents to report the news objec-
Near East &
tively. Although they are U.S.
North Africa 6.3
South
Asia 19.0
Government employees, they travel
of
-
American
East Asia &
overseas on regular rather than official
Republics 6.2
Sub-Saharan
Pacific 3.2
Africa 15.6
passports, enter foreign countries on
journalists' visas, receive assignments
only from VOA editors and are not
required to clear their reports with
embassies. Their contributions as jour-
nalists have been measured and recog-
nized by colleagues the world over.
4
Broadcasting For the 90s
VOA CHARTER
The long-range interests of the United
States are served by communicating
directly with the people of the world
by radio. To be effective, the Voice
of America (the Broadcasting Service
of the United States Information
Agency) must win the attention and
respect of listeners. These principles
will govern Voice of. America (VOA)
broadcasts.
(1) VOA will serve as a consistently
reliable and authoritative source of
news. VOA news will be accurate, ob-
jective, and comprehensive.
(2) VOA will represent America, not
any single segment of American soci-
ety, and will therefore present a bal-
anced and comprehensive projection
of significant American thought and
institution.
(3) VOA will present the policies of
the United States clearly and effec-
tively and will also present responsi-
ble discussion and opinion on these
policies.
Broadcasting For the 90s
5
VOA DIRECT BROADCASTS (UTC) Fall/Winter 1989-1990
VOA DIRECT BROADCASTS (UTC)
BROADCAST
Fall /Winter 1989-1990
HOURS
HOURS
SERVICES
DAILY
WEEKLY
DAYTIME PROGRAMS
EVENING PROGRAMS
1.
Albanian
1700-1730; 1930-2000
1:00
7:00
2.
Amharic
1800 1900
1:00
7:00
3.
Arabic:
7:30
52:30
To ME
0330 0430
1600 1800
To ME/NA
0430 0530
1800 2000
To NA
0730 0800
2100 2200
4.
Armenian
0200 0215
1500 1600
1:15
8:45
5.
Azerbaijani
1900 2000
1:00
7:00
6.
Bangla
0130 0230
1600 1700
2:00
14:00
7.
Bulgarian
0400-0430
1730-1800; 2000-2030
1:30
10:30
8.
Burmese
0000 0030
1130 1230
1:30
10:30
9.
Cantonese
1500 1600
1:00
7:00
10.
Creole
2200-2300 (Oct-April)
1:00
7:00
11.
Czech/
12.
Slovak
0500-0530
1730-1800; 2000-2200
3:00
21:00
13.
Dari
0030 0100; 0215 0300
1515 1600
2:00
14:00
14.
English
see next page
41:30
287:30
15.
Estonian
0445-0500
1600-1630; 1800-1830
1:15
8:45
16.
Farsi
0300 0430
1700 1900
3:30
24:30
17.
French
0530-0700 M-F
1830 2200
5:00
32:00
18.
Georgian
0215 0230
2000-2030
0:45
5:15
19.
Greek
1600-1630
0:30
3:30
20.
Hausa
0500 0530
1600 - 1630 M-F
1:00
6:00
21.
Hindi
0030 0130
1600 1700
2:00
14:00
22.
Hungarian
0530 0600
1800 2000
2:30
17:30
23.
Indonesian
2200 2330
1100 1130; 1330 1430
3:00
21:00
24.
Khmer
2200 2230
1400 1500
1:30
10:30
25.
Korean
2130 2200
1300 1400
1:30
10:30
26.
Lao
1100 1200
1:00
7:00
27.
Latvian
0400 0415
1530 1600; 1700 1730
1:15
8:45
28.
Lithuanian
0415 0430
1630 1 700; 1830 1900
1:15
8:45
29.
Mandarin
2000 0200 (Sept-April)
1100 1700 (Sept-April)
12:00
84:00
30.
Pashto
0000 0030; 0130 0215
1430 1515
2:00
14:00
31.
Polish
0530-0630
2100 2400
4:00
28:00
32.
Portuguese:
To Africa
0430 0500
1730 1830
1:30
10:30
To Brazil
2200-2300 (Oct-Feb)
1:00
7:00
33.
Romanian
0430-0445
1800-2000
2:15
15:45
34.
Russian:
15:00
105:00
West
0300 0500
1600 2300
Central
2300 2400
1200 1400
Far East
0800 1100
35.
Serbo Croat
0445-0500
2030-2130
1:15
8:45
36.
Slovene
0430-0500
0:30
3:30
37.
Spanish
M-F 0930-1130, 1200-1300 &
0100 0400
6:30
44:30
1700-1730; S/S 1200-1500
38.
Swahili
1630 1730 M-F
1:00
5:00
39.
Turkish
2000 2100
1:00
7:00
40.
Ukrainian
0200 0400
1600 1800
4:00
28:00
41.
Urdu
0100 0130; 0130 0200
1330 1430
2:00
14:00
42.
Uzbek
0000 0100
1400 1500
2:00
14:00
43.
Vietnamese
2230 2330
1230 1330
2:00
14:00
SUB TOTAL
149:15
1034:45
Radio Marti
1000-2200
2200-1000
24:00
168:00
TOTAL
173:15
1202:45
6
Broadcasting For the 90s
ENGLISH BROADCASTS
DAYTIME
REGION
EVENING
Hours
Hours
PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
Daily
Weekly
English broadcasts total 287:30 hours
Africa
0300 0700
1600 2200
10:00
70:00
weekly and include programs pro-
American Republics
0000 0230
2:30
16:30
duced by the News and English
Broadcasts Divisions (179 hours
Caribbean
1000 1200
0000 0200
4:00
28:00
weekly), the English to Africa Ser-
East Asia
2200 0100
1100 1500
7:00
49:00
vice (35:00) and the segment of VOA
Europe (73:30) beamed to listeners
East Europe/USSR
0400 0700
1700 2200
8:00
56:00
on VOA's medium wave transmitter
Middle East
in Munich (1197 kHz). These pro-
0400 0700
1500 2200
10:00
70:00
grams may be heard in each geo-
Pacific
1900 2000
2100 2200
1000 1200
4:00
28:00
graphic region at the following
times. VOA Europe is an around-
South Asia
0100 0300
1400 1800
6:00
the-clock radio service that is trans-
42:00
mitted live by affiliates in 16 West
VOA Europe
(On 1197)
0630 1700
10:30
73:30
European countries.
NETWORKING
Around the world today, broadcasters
programming for networks in these
news reportage and international.
- from national services to small, in-
countries rely on VOA's News
roundtable discussions, our most
dependent FMs - are also putting
Division as much our Khmer, Farsi
sought-after products. Satellite deliv-
VOA programs in 21 languages on the
and Uzbek Services. Relatively few
ery is essential for binational partner-
air. Some broadcast VOA live, others
VOA staff members are assigned ex-
ships for VOA Europe's around the
on a tape/delay basis. Some transmit
clusively to networking operations,
clock service and the Brazilian
our programs each day, others do
but a considerable number - writers,
Branch's USA program are transmitted
so once a week. At VOA, we have
editors, broadcasters, producers, tech-
live by affiliates.
adopted the term "networking" for this
nicians, satellite specialists, studio
Dial-in audio services (DIAS) to Latin
increasingly important means of inter-
managers, researchers - are partici-
America, the Middle East, and South
national communication. VOA be-
pants or contributors to both activities.
Africa employ telephone answering
lieves that:
systems to provide foreign stations
Political realities - as events in
Competitive Marketing
with VOA news reports. This is anoth-
China demonstrated - preclude the
er VOA innovation which other major
possibility that networking can ever
The programming is tailored to the
international broadcast organizations
become a total substitute for direct
needs and desires of affiliates in very
are adopting.
broadcasts on the Voice's own trans-
different media environments. In
High frequency (shortwave) transmis-
mitters, but it is a major supplemen-
some countries, radio is the exclusive
sions also continue to be used to link
tary or alternate channel to millions of
domain of a single, official broadcast
VOA with affiliates. In Latin America,
radio listeners who may never tune in
service; in others, there are numerous
for example, we utilize satellite deliv-
a foreign broadcast.
competing commercial stations and
ery for stations in the capital cities, but
networks. Production of relevant and
continue to rely on HF transmissions
Foreign media seek credible reporting
attractive programming, regular con-
for numerous stations in smaller cities
and quality program production. Di-
tact with affiliates, and the best
or rural areas. Radio stations in this
rect broadcasting and networking are
delivery systems are networking pre-
and other regions also monitor VOA's
inseparable activities. Our Spanish
requisites for other international
direct broadcasts on shortwave and
program, Buenos Dias America, has si-
broadcasters are also seeking local
medium wave and extract segments
mulcasts on stations throughout the
partners.
for local replay.
Americas as it is broadcast directly by
Airmail also remains a means of sup-
VOA. VOA Hindi programs beamed
plying programming to client stations
to India are delivered by satellite and
Delivery Systems
that is substantive but not time critical.
airmail to stations in Suriname, Fiji,
Satellite delivery via the TVRO dishes
and Mauritius. There are no direct
Satellite delivery whether via interna-
at USIS posts may one day replace
broadcasts to Portugual, Spain or Thai-
tional phone service or leased program
pouching.
land, but the units which produce
circuits enables VOA to provide timely
Broadcasting For the 90s
7
THE PEOPLE
John Houseman and that remarkable
The newswriters, correspon-
The technical engineering staff
group of broadcast pioneers who
dents around the world and
- in Washington and around
founded the Voice of America nearly
editors in the central news and
the world - who keep relay sta-
half a century ago might marvel at the
current affairs divisions who
tions on the air 24 hours a day,
global reach and influence of VOA to-
prepare more than 160 news sto-
design new facilities, manage
day. In 1942, the Voice occupied three
ries and a myriad of other scripts
thousands of frequency hours
small brick studios in midtown Man-
and are the core creators of the
each year, and develop a com-
hattan and its newscasts were relayed
basic information circulated to
plex array of satellite, transmit-
via leased transmitters. Today, its staff
all the broadcast services.
ter and antenna schedules.
is deployed worldwide. These are pro-
fessionals of uncommon dedication,
with a single objective: to provide sus-
Whether writer or computer spe-
tenance to a world hungry for informa-
The multi-talented broadcasters
cialist, announcer or technician,
tion with the best possible broadcast
in the language and Worldwide
design engineer or special
signal in the shortest possible time at
English divisions who produce
events officer, all depend on
the least possible cost. Deadlines are
more than 170 hours of program-
colleagues in the Offices of Per-
relentless at the Voice, for the broad-
ming daily, a blending of central
sonnel and Administration to
casters, the engineers, the managers
and service-originated program-
provide the services essential to
alike. The show must and does go on,
ming which caters to every con-
any smoothly operating radio
in 43 languages and dozens of differ-
ceivable regional taste.
network. And VOA would be in-
ent formats, amidst incessant debate
complete without the external
about what to say and how to say it. As
affairs officers whose publica-
former director John Chancellor once
The broadcast operations sup-
tions and press releases put us in
noted: "There is a peculiar sort of ram-
port specialists who provide the
touch with the American public
shackle excellence about the place
a
means for their colleagues to put
and listeners the world over.
fine, antic sense of madness.
words on paper, produce broad-
Chancellor was describing VOA a gen-
casts in studios, witness events
eration ago, but the portrait he painted
on-the-scene, and garnish raw
applies equally to the Voice of today.
information with actuality and
Principal team players in 1990 are:
sound that will appeal to
millions.
6
Irene Kelner, medical affairs editor for VOA
Russian, received her M.D. at First Moscow
Medical School.
VOA's East European correspondent
Jolyon Naegele.
Middle East correspondent Mohamed
Ghuneim (right) interviewing a young Shi'ite
Shortly before his expulsion from China,
voter in Basra, Iraq.
VOA correspondemt AI Pessin talks with stu-
dent demonstrators en route to Tiananmen
Square. Students' faces were intentionally
blurred for their protection.
8
Broadcasting For the 90s
THE PROGRAMS
New Reporting Techniques,
porting during political crises in dis-
one interviews to VOA Russian report-
Formats and Delivery Modes
tant capitals.
er Zora Safir Hopkins. Their first
interview was in January 1986, shortly
for the 90s
Dialogue Now Character-
after his exile in Gorki ended, the sec-
izes Communication with
ond during his only visit to the United
Anyone walking VOA's corridors in
1990 is likely to hear conversations
Listeners and Media
States and the third just a few weeks
before his death. In this final conversa-
peppered with buzzwords like booth
Personnel in Eastern Europe
tion with VOA, Dr. Sakharov said: "I
journalism, networking, radio bridge,
and the Soviet Union
cannot make concrete predictions.
on-the-road show, DIAS, call-in,
but even indecisive implementation of
multi-city interactive, live Q & A, and
The winds of change sweeping across
political, economic, ethnic, and territo-
TVRO feed. They describe new forms
of newsgathering and reporting, pro-
Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union
rial reforms threatens our country with
gram formats and delivery systems
have created undreamed of opportuni-
a catastrophe." In recent months, VOA
editor Victor Franzusoff interviewed
that have become routine. Each broad-
ties for more effective communication.
the Soviet Union's Boris Yeltsin who
cast service uses the mix of formats
In 1990, networks in Poland, the Soviet
and delivery systems best suited for its
Union, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and
discussed his country's serious eco-
Romania have accepted or indicated
nomic problems: "If we don't move (on
listening area in light of local political
conditions, média environments, lis-
an interest in rebroadcasting VOA pro-
the economy) in 1990," Yeltsin de-
clared, "Then we won't even be able to
tening habits and available technol-
gramming. Less than two years after
jamming ceased, VOA has opened
think about the next five years. We are
ogy. About half of VOA services now
engage in both direct broadcasting and
news bureaus in Moscow and Warsaw
sinking into a swamp - 1990 is our
networking, but some such as the
and has significantly increased on-the-
only chance."
scene reporting. Radio bridges, call-ins
East European broadcasters are also
Khmer and Farsi Services must contin-
and extensive use of the telephone to
getting in touch with VOA. Last
ue to rely on direct broadcasts only.
contact newsmakers and other news
spring, Radio Budapest's editor-in-
The term "booth journalism" was
coined by reporters to describe trans-
sources supplement this effort. To a
chief visited VOA Hungarian to dis-
Atlantic phone calls to newsmakers
greater degree than ever before, VOA
cuss future radio bridges and the
and news sources to track fast-break-
broadcasters are not only speaking to
placement of VOA program series. Po-
ing events in Eastern Europe and the
listeners in these countries but talking
litical reform came so swiftly in
Soviet republics. Last year, VOA
with them. It is estimated that 20 mil-
Czechoslovakia that Radio Prague
lion Poles listened to the joint VOA-
found itself without recorded pro-
Spanish renewed its successful on-the-
road broadcasts with a week of live
Polish national radio broadcast of Lech
gramming on its new president and
Walesa's address to the U.S. Con-
appealed to VOA for archival material.
programs focusing on the San Jose
gress, and hundreds of listeners were
The Czech/ Slovak Service quickly for-
summit and VOA French's premiere
warded interviews conducted with Va-
on-the-road show originated in Abi-
still waiting to speak on the telephone
djan. Radio bridges with Radios
with the news anchors when the
clav Havel when he was the country's
broadcast ended.
most prominent dissident and pro-
Moscow, Kiev, Budapest and Warsaw
On a recent VOA Russian interactive,
gramming on his Charter 77 organiza-
offering lively discussions among
Polish Radio and Television Director
tion. Radio Prague also interviewed
guest participants on both sides of the
Atlantic are increasingly frequent
Andrzej Drawicz in Warsaw, Hungar-
VOA's Miroslav Dobrovodsky, a
ian radio commentator Szandor Sen-
broadcast that drew congratulatory
events.
aszi in Budapest, Harvard historian
calls from some 500 of its listeners. The
Richard Pipes and moderator Ludmilla
Dobrovodsky interview also generated
VOA's Workday is 170
Flam in Washington discussed the rap-
a request from Radio Prague for a copy
Hours Long
id changes occurring in country after
of the VOA Charter.
country. While Radio Moscow's stu-
Around the clock, 365 days each year,
dios have been used to record radio
Jamming the Big Lie
VOA reporters, writers, and announc-
bridges, only VOA has broadcast
ers are on duty producing programs
them. That pattern was broken last
for listeners of direct broadcasts or the
month when both Radio Kiev and
"China's regime (has) implicitly ac-
audiences of affiliates. Approximately
VOA Ukrainian broadcast in full a live-
knowledged its vulnerability to short-
170 hours of programming is transmit-
ly and occasionally heated discussion
wave by singling out the Voice of
ted in a typical 24-hour period. Special
about religion in the Ukraine among
America for charges of slander and
broadcasts increase this total. Every
philosophers and religious affairs
fabrication. In fact, the VOA had broad-
major address by the President, sum-
specialists in Kiev, Ottawa, Chicago,
cast the truth back into the Peoples Re-
mit highlights and space missions are
South Bound Brook, N.J. and Wash-
public, jamming the Big Lie," columnist
Strobe Talbott wrote recently in TIME
covered. And there is expanded re-
ington.
magazine.
Over the past three years, Andrei
Sakharov granted three major one-on-
Broadcasting For the 90s
9
In the days before troops fired on dem-
Libya, Nicaragua, North Korea, and
Signs of Changing Attitudes
onstrators and bystanders alike in
Vietnam. A Burmese student, who tes-
Tiananmen Square, Beijing students
tified before a Congressional commit-
Until recently, Ethiopia, Laos and Pan-
cheered VOA reporters and an eerie
tee on human rights, said that he and
ama might easily have been included
hum settled over the tens of thousands
his fellow students depend on VOA
in the above list, but there are signs of
gathered there whenever it was time
and BBC for information. For decades,
change. In Ethiopia, where "every-
for VOA to go the air. Jamming of
it was believed that most radio sets in
thing stops at 9 PM when VOA goes
VOA broadcasts to China began with
North Korea were wired speakers ca-
on the air," the official Voice of Revolu-
the imposition of martial law on May
pable only of receiving Pyongyang's
tionary Ethiopia recently broadcast
21, and continues even though other
news. But this past summer, New York
excerpts from a special VOA
aspects of the state of seige have been
Times correspondent Nicholas Kristof
Amharic documentary on the Tigre
lifted. One U.S. headline noted that
reported: "International radios, instead
Liberation Front. Ethiopian state tele-
VOA is "a thorn in China's side" -
of the Korean kind that can tune in
vision service also videotaped VOA
particularly its news coverage of com-
only local stations, are becoming more
Amharic's interview with the coun-
munism's decline in Eastern Europe.
common, and so well-connected Kore-
try's Deputy Prime Minister at the Nai-
A recent Newsweek account said:
ans listen to Voice of America news
robi peace talks. Since 1975, interviews
broadcasts or even South Korean sta-
with Lao officials have been rare, but
tions." Cambodian leaders Son Sann
for a second time in 1989, Deputy For-
"Protest has taken on a subtle hue in
and Norodom Chakrapong credit
eign Minister Soubanh Srithirath
the Middle Kingdom. But the message is
VOA Khmer with reliable reporting.
talked with VOA reporters and said
unchanged. When the Voice of America
Nouth Narang, president of the Paris-
afterward that the Voice's broadcasts
broadcast news of Romanian dictator Ni-
colae Ceausescu's execution recently,
based Safeguard of Khmer Culture,
play an important role in promoting
students at Beijing's Qinghua Universi-
added that he evenobserved govern-
understanding between our countries.
ty threw bottles from dormitory windows
ment officials listening during a 1989
as they did last June, symbolically calling
visit to Cambodia. Listeners also
for the downfall of Chinese leader Deng
commented by the thousands. A Liby-
Xiaoping (whose) name is a homonym for
an wrote: "I have been a listener for the
bottle."
last five years, but censorship prevent-
ed me from writing before (now). Our
radio service broadcasts nothing but
VOA broadcasts are equally important
news of wars, assassinations and de-
to those in other countries where glas-
struction. Thus your varied and com-
nost is not practiced: Afghanistan, Al-
bania, Burma, Cambodia, Haiti, Iran,
prehensive programs are welcomed by
young Libyans." A letter from Iran
contained an enclosure and this mes-
sage: "I could not find anything to give
you. So please accept these five Tehran
bus tickets in the hope that one day
you can use them here."
VOA Russian reporter. Zora Safir-Hopkins (right)
talks with the late Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov
during his only visit to the United States.
In Nairobi, VOA Morning anchor Alan Silverman
interviews Richard Leakey, Kenya's
Director of Wildlife.
10
Broadcasting For the 90s
In Panama last December, several local
fairs. The information they hear is the
this effort, the Urdu Service was
stations, no longer fearing retaliation
distilled product of VOA correspon-
awarded a bronze medal at the presti-
from the Noreiga regime, resumed an
dents in 25 news bureaus, an extensive
gious International Radio Festival of
old custom - relaying VOA Spanish
stringer network, and scores of multi-
New York. Months later, when Prime
broadcasts.
lingual editors and area specialists in
Minister Bhutto came to Washington
Washington.
to meet with the President and address
When VOA Speaks, Even
In Amman last year, VOA correspon-
the U.S. Congress, only two American
dent Mohamed Ghuneim was one of
Presidents Listen
journalists were invited to accompany
four foreign journalists invited to a
her official party - one of them was
working luncheon with Prime Minister
VOA Islamabad correspondent Gary
We learned recently that Angolan
Sharif Ibn-Shaker and other ranking
Thomas.
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos -
Jordanian officials. VOA Arabic is ad-
The International Radio Festival also
reportedly tired of having subordi-
mired, the Prime Minister told Ghun-
nates screen and summarize the news
recognized two other VOA services for
- had a shortwave receiver installed
eim, because it reports the bad as well
outstanding achievement: gold medals
in his office so that he could listen to
as the good news. He also promised
were awarded to VOA Bangla for its
that in the future Jordanian officials
the entire VOA Portuguese broadcast.
documentary Children with AIDS, and
would respond to all press queries -
When we adjusted VOA Spanish's
VOA Europe for the series Voices of
morning schedule, Dominican Repub-
especially any from VOA.
America.
lic President Joaquin Balaguer could
VOA Urdu's Washington news team
Last June, VOA also sent a multilin-
no longer hear the third hour - his
gave listeners in Pakistan comprehen-
gual team to the international AIDS
sive reportage on the parliamentary
conference in Montreal to provide vital
favorite. Now, however, his country's
national network rebroadcasts this
election in their country. The Service
information on global efforts to halt
covered all aspects of the campaign
the spread of the disease and find a
Buenos Dias America segment at its
former time. These Presidents and mil-
leading to installation of the world's
possible cure. Renato Bittencourt re-
first Moslem woman prime minister.
lions of private citizens tune to VOA
ported for listeners in Brazil, a country
There were interviews with Pakistani
for dispassionate news reports and
with the second highest number of re-
political leaders, economists, business
comprehensive coverage of current af-
corded AIDS patients. Others covering
executives and journalists. Because of
the conference were Ronald Todman
and Fred Williams in Spanish and Cre-
ole for the Americas, Olivier Agnez in
English and French for Africa, Nicola
Hanna in Arabic, Irene Kelner in Rus-
sian and science editors Art Chimes
and Brian Cislak for other VOA
services.
A recent NBC television drama charac-
terized the escalating production and
trafficking in illegal drugs as "chemical
warfare" (against America and other
countries). At VOA, there is continu-
ous reporting on international mea-
sures to prevent drug use, cure
dependency, put an end to drug crops
and arrest the traffickers. In December
1989, these issues were the subject of a
two-week series of news, information
Luis Daniel Uncal (left) and Tony Cano (right) host VOA's Buenos Dias, America program.
and discussion programs. VOA News
and Current Affairs teams issued
numerous backgrounders, interviews
and special reports which all 43 broad-
cast services used along with program-
ming of special relevance to their
audiences. VOA reporters rode on
Coast Guard cutters patrolling the Ca-
ribbean and in police cars patrolling
city streets. Prominent American and
foreign officials were interviewed.
VOA Arabic and Spanish listeners
were able to call in and speak with
medical and law enforcement experts.
In Brazil more than 600 listeners called
VOA French goes "on the road" in Cote d'I-
with comments and questions during
voire. Anchorman Claude Porsella (center)
the week that the Brazilian Branch's
talks with broadcasters at Radio Abidjan,
USA program - which is broadcast by
VOA Arabic correspondent Ibrahim Abdin interviewing
our host station for the live show.
a Sao Paulo affiliate - focused on drug
Egyptian Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz in the nove-
list's Cairo home.
problems.
Broadcasting For the 90s
11
THE SOUNDS
The Miracle of Radio -
monitor the technical performance at'
- equipment that former director
it Works
the Voice's 15 relay stations. The use of
Mary Bitterman once declared "be-
satellites for program delivery to relay
longed in a museum." Since the mid-
stations - a process begun in 1977 -
1980s, however, a modernization pro-
Microseconds after a VOA announcer
is now complete. VOA's state-of-the-
cess has been underway. Renovation
opens a program, his words reach lis-
art Satellite Interconnect System (SIS),
of the final 10 studios in the
teners half way around the globe. His
USIA/TV or other leased circuits now
primary broadcast complex will be
voice has travelled from studio to or-
feed programs to every broadcast site.
completed shortly. Ten new, high-
biting satellite and returned to earth
When it is available worldwide, SIS
powered transmitters are operating in
for transmission on a broadcast band.
will provide multi-channel, uninter-
North Carolina, California and West
Neither announcer nor listener is con-
ruptable, noise free program feeds,
Germany and entire stations are being
scious of technology's part in this
greater flexibility in scheduling broad-
built in Morocco and Thailand. Auto-
journey of words that enables VOA to
casts, maximum insurance against
mation, design and testing go on end-
report to people in Asia and Africa that
program loss, and two-way communi-
lessly. Hopefully, the process will
the Berlin Wall has come tumbling
cation with each relay station.
never end because continuous renewal
down. As someone once declared, the
On a tour of the Voice of America's
is vital if VOA is to become and remain
miracle of radio is that it works.
studios or the Edward R. Murrow Re-
a state-of-the-art broadcaster.
The equipment which VOA uses to
lay Station in North Carolina, visitors
As the 90s begin, broadcasters, techni-
achieve this miracle includes 35 stu-
learn that VOA transmitters have a col-
cians and engineers also are increas-
dios, a 150-channel master control
lective power in excess of 26 million
ingly involved in developing program
unit, satellite circuits, 108 transmitters
watts and they see an impressive array
feed systems that will satisfy an ever
and 454 broadcast antennas. Techni-
of studios, computers and satellite
growing number of foreign networks
cians in a new and impressive Net-
dishes. But these and other VOA facili-
who are eager to receive VOA pro-
work Control Center watch over banks
ties contain a mixture of old and new:
grams, but who require broadcast
of computers that report the destina-
state-of-the-art microphones, record-
quality sound and real-time or near
tion and sound quality of some 170
ers, and transmitters sit adjacent to
real-time delivery.
hours of programming each day and
counterparts that are twenty years old
VOA Brazilian Branch Chief Neils Lindquist (left) and Joao Saad, president of Bandeirantes Radio and Television, inaugurate the first digital
audio satellite service from Washington to Sao Paulo.
12
Broadcasting For the 90s
Skunk Works - Technical
Innovations that are
Enhancing the Way VOA
Sounds
Meanwhile, VOA technicians and en-
gineers have developed innovative
ways to conserve manpower, enable
old and new equipment to co-exist and
provide quality sound to listeners and
affiliates alike. Such projects - fre-
quently produced with few resources
- are called skunk works. For
example:
Technician John Sergi perfected modi-
fications to studio telephones that are
significantly enhancing VOA's live
call-in broadcasts. Callers in distant
countries no longer have to hang up
and wait to be redailed, but can remain
on the line, listening to the program
until their turn to speak with the an-
chors or guests. Remote call-ins were
another Sergi achievement. Last sum-
mer, for example, listeners dialed
Washington but were instantly con-
versing with country music artists like
Charlie Daniel during a special two-
hour Talk to America program origi-
nating in Nashville.
Nearly 50 years of continuous broad-
Satellite Interconnect System (SIS) antennas at VOA's Greenville Relay Station.
casting had taken its toll on the Betha-
Brazil to carry the broadcast from
station personnel have not only ac-
ny Relay Station when the staff began
downlink point to Sao Paulo, they
complished their assigned task of
a major renovation project. With a
worked with Brazilian Branch Chief
keeping VOA broadcasts on the air,
modest $200,000 for equipment and
Neils Lindquist to negotiate the first
but extended assistance to the commu-
abundant enthusiasm, numerous im-
international digital audio circuitry in
nities and peoples who are their neigh-
provements were accomplished from
the Western hemisphere. McKinney
bors. In Liberia, Morocco; Greece and
upgrading the antennas to the design,
and Zorger then modified and con-
the Philippines, relay station person-
manufacture and installation of a wa-
nected SIS equipment to Bandeirantes'
nel have volunteered their time, labor
ter processing center that is vital for
rooftop dish allowing the station to re-
and resources to build and support
transmitter cooling. The staff's efforts
ceive the Satellite Interconnect Sys-
schools, day care centers, clinics and
- which included a considerable
tem's closed circuit transmission. In
recreational facilities. Relay station
amount of volunteered time - not
less than a year, the USA broadcast
equipment is "loaned" for local build-
only extended the station's operational
they helped launch has become the
ing projects or road maintenance. In
life, but enhanced signal quality in
number one mid-morning program in
Greece, the Kavala station's grass be-
Africa and Latin America.
Sao Paulo.
comes feed for animals and in Tangier,
The Brazilian Branch's very successful
shepherds bring their sheep to water
broadcast partnership with the Ban-
Good Works - Engineer
troughs built and kept filled by station
deirantes network in Sao Paulo might
Ambassadors
personnel. In Thailand, where a new
well have been still-born if satellite
VOA station is being built, the first
specialists Derek McKinney and John
project was not to surround the site
Like other U.S. government installa-
Zorger had not suggested using
tions in foreign countries, VOA's over-
with a fence, but to dig a well that is
VOA's SIS system to deliver the live
seas relay stations not only perform
now providing safe-drinking water to
USA broadcasts each day. As no pro-
a local village.
their assigned tasks but are represen-
gram quality lines were available in
tatives of America. For decades, relay
Broadcasting For the 90s
13
VOA's TRANSMITTER NETWORK
BROADCAST ANTENNAS AND TRANSMITTERS
TRANSMITTER:
RELAY STATIONS
PRIMARY
ANTENNAS
Number,
TOTAL
AGE
AREA(S) SERVED
PROGRAM
Power,
kW
(Years)
FEEDS
MW or SW
POWER
Bethany,
Commercial
22 SW
3 250 SW
750
0
Latin America and
OHIO
satellite circuit
3 250 SW
750
21
West Africa
Delano,
Satellite
18 SW
3 250 SW
750
21
Central America &
CALIFORNIA
Interconnect
4 250 SW
1000
4
Pacific Ocean
System (SIS)
Greenville,
SIS
76 SW
6 500 SW
3000
36
East Caribbean, Latin
NORTH
6 250 SW
1500
26
America, Western Europe,
CAROLINA
4 500 SW
2000
4
N. and W. Africa
Judge Bay,
Satellite via
1 MW
1 50 MW
50
21
East Caribbean
ANTIGUA
USIA/TVRO system
Bangkok,
Satellite via
1 MW
1 1000 MW
1000
36
Southeast Asia
THAILAND
USIA/TVRO system
Used by Thai Gov't.
Selebi-Phikwe,
SIS from
1 MW
1 50 MW
50
8
Southern Africa
BOTSWANA
Greenville
Kavala,
Commercial
1 MW
1 500 MW
500
36
Eastern Europe
GREECE
satellite
44 SW
9 250 SW
2250
18
Eastern Europe; Western,
Southern and Central
USSR; Middle East; South
Asia
1 250 SW
250
18
Used by Greek Gov't.
Rhodes,
Commercial
1 MW
1 500 MW
500
36
Middle East
GREECE
satellite
7SW
2 50 SW
100
26
Middle East
Monrovia,
Commercial
27 SW
6 250 SW
1500
25
Sub-Saharan Africa,
LIBERIA
satellite
2 50 SW
100
25
Brazil
Munich
Commercial
1 MW
1 300 MW
300
43
Europe.
and
satellite
18 SW
1 100 SW
100
53
Europe
Wertachtal,
71 SW
4 500 SW
2000
2
Eastern Europe, Western
WEST GERMANY
USSR, and North Africa
Poro
Commercial
1 MW
1 1000 MW
1000
36
Vietnam, China
satellite
16 SW
2 100 SW
200
36
China, Southeast Asia,
and
1 35 SW
35
36
and East Africa
3
50
SW
150
36
Tinang,
69 SW
3 50 SW
150
24
Eastern USSR, China,
PHILIPPINES
10 250
SW
2250
21
Southeast Asia, South
2 250 SW
500
8
Asia, Pacific Ocean
Colombo,
Satellite via
19 SW
2 35 SW
70
36
India
SRI LANKA
USIA/TVRO system
1 10 SW
10
36
1 35 SW
35
36
Used by Sri Lankan Gov't.
Tangier,
Commercial
30 SW
4 35 SW
140
44
Eastern Europe,
MOROCCO
satellite
3 100 SW
300
39
North Africa, Western
USSR
2 50 SW
100
49
Used by Gov't. of
1 100 SW
100
39
Morocco
Punta Gorda,
Satellite via
2 MW
2 50 MW
100
5
Central America
BELIZE
USIA/TVRO system
Woofferton,
Commercial
37 SW
6 250 SW
1500
26
Eastern Europe, Western
ENGLAND
satellite
4 300 SW
1200
9
USSR, Middle East, North
Africa
TOTALS
9 MW
9 MW
26,290
454 SW
99 SW
14
Broadcasting For the 90s
VOA INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
The need for training in communica-
VOA provides recording equipment,
accelerated degree program on partial
tions is urgent throughout the world.
studios, FAX and satellite facilities to
scholarships. Caribbean broadcasters
In 1983, VOA joined other major inter-
enable students to file reports home
participated in a program at the Uni-
national broadcasters in providing
after question and answer sessions
versity of Southern Mississippi. The
training to media personnel from other
with lecturers. More than 100 journal-
University of Maine hosted a seminar
countries, particularly those from de-
ists have been trained to report author-
for women media managers from
veloping nations. Since then, VOA has
itatively on the problems and dangers
Francophone African countries, and
trained 1151 journalists, broadcasters
of narcotics for their readers, listeners
the University of South Carolina
and technicians from 106 countries.
and viewers in every corner of the
trained Guyanese broadcasters.
world.
Communications Skills
The Center's Report Card
Training
University Cooperation
Since its inception, the center's activi-
The Director of VOA's International
ties have been evaluated and endorsed
Training Center, Harry Heintzen, and
The VOA International Training Cen-
by its guest lecturers, co-sponsors and
four assistants plan and administer a
ter is encouraging America's colleges
U.S. Information Agency colleagues.
variety of workshops and seminars
and universities to participate in this
Outside financing has been crucial to
each year. Workshops are conducted
cross-cultural training effort. In 1989,
the effort. Eighty per cent of the cost of
in the United States and abroad. They
the program involved several institu-
the center's programs has been borne
provide training in a wide variety
tions, A special program for Spanish
by the American private sector, other
of areas, including journalistic ethics
speaking journalists was held at San
U.S. government agencies and official
and standards, reporting and writing,
Diego State University. VOA and Eli-
foreign media. The U.S. Advisory
radio engineering and station manage-
zabethtown College in Pennsylvania
Commission on Public Diplomacy has
ment.
began a program in which broadcast-
commended the accomplishments of
Private instructors, as well as VOA
ers from southern Africa are in an
VOA's International Training Center.
staff members, conduct the sessions.
VOA reporters, writers, broadcasters
and administrators have proved to be
excellent instructors because of their
sensitivity to language and cultural
differences of students. VOA studio
facilities in Washington and its
Edward R. Murrow Relay Station in
North Carolina provide ideal sites for
hands-on training for the center's stu-
dents. In other instances, VOA staffers
go on-site in other countries to conduct
courses.
Seminars on Global Issues
The International Training Center pro-
U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh participates in a VOA workshop on drugs.
vides for seminars to increase journal-
ist-participants' knowledge of specific
issues and how to more thoroughly re-
port them. Last year, the center con-
During a VOA-spon-
ducted its fifth and sixth seminars on
sored course, media
worldwide problems stemming from
executives from Haiti
and Africa meet Senate
drug abuse and trafficking. Guest lec-
turers such as William Bennett, head
Majority Leader George
Mitchell at the U.S.
of the U.S. anti-drug campaign, Attor-
Capitol.
ney General Richard Thornburgh and
U.S. Secretary of Education Lauro
Cavazos have participated in the cen-
ter's seminars.
Broadcasting For the 90s
15
RADIO MARTI
Twenty-four hours a day, Radio Marti
"Thanks to all of you, today we know
will enhance their scripts. The re-
is on the air with news, commentary
many things that before were hidden be-
and information for the people of
hind the iron curtain of communism."
searchers provide background and
context on news developments, timely
Cuba. Surveys conducted with recent
Other series provide detail, context,
information on what Cuban media are
emigres indicate that Marti - now be-
ginning its fifth year - has become the
and insight on topics that are closer to
reporting and assessments of the prob-
number one station Cubans turn to for
home. Events inside the country -
able impact of world events on Cuba
comprehensive news coverage and a
particularly. those which the govern-
and its people. The Research Depart-
ment has kept from the public - are
ment also produces the Cuba Situation
wide variety of programs that inform
reported in Cuba Without Censorship.
Report, a publication that is .widely-
and entertain. As a listener in Havana
commented:
The experiences of former political
circulated to academics, government
prisoners and prominent leaders who
officials and journalists. Marti's head-
"Since Radio Marti went on the air,
witnessed important events in the Cu-
quarters also contains an Information
the Cuban people have had the opportuni-
ban revolution are retold in the series
Center that is recognized as an excep-
ty to know the truth about what is hap-
Testimony. Radio Marti programs fo-
tional off-island library on Cuba.
pening in the world and above all in
cus extensively on human rights:
Audience surveys are conducted
Cuba. There are many radio stations here
Human Rights Update, monitors con-
among recent Cuban emigres to deter-
that try to imitate your programs, but
they will never be able to equal them.
ditions around the world; Cubans,
mine radio listening habits and their
Radio Marti is different because it is free
These Are Your Rights, explains indi-
reaction to specific programs. Focus
and without censorship."
vidual human, civic and legal rights;
groups and a state-of-the-art Percep-
and Face to Face presents dramatiza-
tion Analyzer provide information that
The around-the-clock program origi-
tions of actual human rights cases.
is employed to develop new programs
nates in studios at 400 6th Street, S.W.
Background and discussion on other
and to keep existing series on target.
and is fed by satellite to Marti's Mara-
political, economic and cultural issues
Letters from listeners are another
thon, Florida relay station. A 50 kW
are provided in the series Internation-
source of information on Marti's im-
medium wave transmitter operating
al Forum, Roundtable and Focus.
portance in Cuba. As a young Havana
on 1180 kHz beams the program to
Radio Marti also features reports, in-
resident recently wrote:
Cuba. This 25-year-old relay station
terviews and special events coverage
"The first thing I do when I come home
was recently modernized and a new
produced by its Miami Bureau. Final-
from work is tune in Radio Marti. The
four-tower antenna array installed.
ly, Marti's programming fare includes
important thing is that 99 percent of the
an appropriate quantity of entertain-
Cuban people also listen to the broad-
Programming Fare
ment that is designed to give listeners
cast."
a window on the rest of the world. It
The latest news - based on VOA's
helps them stay abreast of innovative
Assesment
developments, cope with everyday
central news file, national and interna-
problems, remember the past, and sat-
tional wire services, and reports from
isfy their curiosity about interesting
A. nine-member Advisory Board ap-
Marti correspondents and stringers
pointed by the President reviews
around the world - is transmitted on
people, places and events.
Radio Marti's activities and the
the hour and half-hour. The news
Research is a Basic Tool
effectiveness of its programming, and
broadcasts at 6 AM, noon, 7 PM and
submits its reports to the President of
11:30 PM offer 30 minutes of reportage
the United States, the Director of
on the day's events. Marti's news pro-
Writers and producers at Marti rely on
USIA, and the Director of the Voice of
gramming fills an information void for
the research staff for information that
America.
its listeners, particularly about events
in Cuba and its involvement in African
and Central American countries. Glas-
nost has not spread to Cuba. Indeed,
excerpts from Moscow News which
were once carried by local media are
now banned in Cuba. Coverage of re-
cent developments in the Soviet Union
and the dramatic revolutions in East-
ern Europe are followed closely by Ra-
dio Marti. Additional background and
insights on these developments are
treated in a new documentary series,
The Socialist World in Transition. As a
listener in Camaguey wrote recently:
16
Broadcasting For the 90s
A TELEVISION SERVICE FOR CUBA
Given the success of Radio Marti in
the U.S. Information Agency, was
this year. Programming will originate
transmitting information to Cuba, the
then formed to test and develop a pilot
in USIA/TV's studios in the Patrick
U.S. Congress requested that the feasi-
television service. Since late 1988, the
Henry Building during the test period.
bility of a television service be ex-
task force - guided by VOA's Deputy
Funds have been appropriated for the
plored. Initial evaluations conducted
Director - has worked to resolve the
trial period.
for the Advisory Board for Radio
complex legal, regulatory and techni-
At the conclusion of this test period,
/Broadcasting to Cuba by leading legal,
cal issues that accompany a project of
the President will determine whether a
engineering and financial firms con-
this magnitude. The Agency has ful-
TV Marti Service should be established
cluded that television transmissions to
filled its Congressional mandate and
permanently and the Congress will ap-
Cuba from the United States were both
developed a unique transmission sys-
propriate funds for its continued oper-
technically possible and in accordance
tem mounted on an aerostat tethered
ation in 1990 and beyond.
with international law.
to American soil in the Florida Keys
An interagency task force, chaired by
and plans to conduct test broadcasts
TV MARTI AEROSTAT BASED
BROADCAST SYSTEM
SATELLITE
ШОШ
AEROSTAT
10,000 feet
UP-
TV MARTI
TETHER
LINK
PROGRAM
FEED
CUDJOE KEY
WASHINGTON
TVRO, RECORD AND PLAYBACK EQPMT
HAVANA
Broadcasting For the 90s
17
VOA AT A GLANCE
Resources
VOA direct broadcasts. This estimate
records and CDs, a tape archive con-
does not include occasional listeners,
taining 70,000 reels and cassettes, a re-
Personnel
2,481*
those who hear VOA programs broad-
search center and library. In-house
Salaries & Expenses (FY 90)
cast on domestic stations, or the audi-
video and audio systems enable us to
$169,586,351
ences for such special initiatives as
monitor our studios and numerous
Construction Obligations (FY 90)
VOA Europe, the Brazilian Branch's
news sources.
$68,166,000*
USA program or Radio Marti. VOA re-
(*excludes appropriations for TVMarti)
ceives an average of 34,800 letters each
Relay Stations
month from its listeners.
VOA broadcasts are beamed to listen-
Direct Broadcasts
News Bureaus
ers from 15 relay stations in the United
States and 11 other countries. VOA
VOA broadcasts 1034:45 hours each
VOA has news bureaus in 25 of the
programs are fed to these stations by
week in 43 languages: Albanian, Am-
world's most important cities: Abi-
satellite including a sophisticated, yet
haric, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani,
djan, Amman, Bangkok, Beijing,
economical, Satellite Interconnect Sys-
Bangla, Bulgarian, Burmese, Canton-
Bonn, Boston, Cairo, Chicago, Gene-
tem. The stations are equipped with
ese, Creole, Czech, Dari, English, Es-
va, Islamabad, Jerusalem, Johannes-
nine medium wave and 99 shortwave
tonian, Farsi, French, Georgian,
burg, London, Los Angeles, Miami,
transmitters that have a total power of
Greek, Hausa, Hindi, Hungarian, In-
Moscow, New Delhi, New York, Nai-
26.2 million watts.
donesian, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Latvi-
robi, Paris, Rio De Janeiro, San Jose,
an, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Pashto,
Tokyo, Vienna and Warsaw.
Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Rus-
International Training
sian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovak, Slovene,
SNAP
Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Ukrainian,
VOA also contributes to global com-
Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese.
munication by providing training to
Radio Marti broadcasts an additional
In November 1985, VOA began install-
foreign media personnel. Since 1983,
168:00 hours weekly.
ing and using the world's largest
more than 1,100 journalists, broadcast
multi-lingual computer system. Cur-
technicans and media managers from
rently, 900 System for News and Pro-
A Global Network
106 countries have participated in the
gramming (SNAP) workstations are
workshops, issues seminars and uni-
enhancing the creation and distribu-
versity courses developed by VOA's
Broadcasters around the world - from
tion of programming as well as stream-
International Training Center.
national services to small, indepen-
lining operational communication in
dent FMs - are putting VOA pro-
Washington, New York and London.
RADIO MARTI
grams on their airwaves. Some of them
SNAP now provides word processing
broadcast VOA programs live, others
capability in 35 languages. Later this
on a tape delay basis. Some of them
year, SNAP will offer word processing
Personnel
159
transmit VOA programs daily, others
capability in every VOA language.
Salaries & Expenses (FY 89) $12,537,00
do so each week. Since the mid-1980's,
a number of new formats have been
developed, including partnership
Radio Marti is on the air around the
Broadcast Complex
broadcasts, studio-to-studio interac-
clock with a wide variety of program-
tives and dial-up systems. Currently,
ming produced by its staff in
VOA programs are produced in a
VOA employs satellites, high frequen-
Washington and Miami. The broadcast
broadcast complex equipped with 45
cy transmissions, and airmailed tapes
originates in its Washington studios
studios, a 150-channel Master Control,
to deliver programming to foreign me-
and is satellite-delivered to Florida for
dia in 21 languages: Arabic, Armenian,
an automated central recording and
broadcast on a 50 kW medium wave
playback facility and two centers to
Bangla, Catalan, Creole, English,
transmitter (1180 kHz).
record reports from VOA correspon-
French, German, Greek, Hausa, Hin-
dents around the world. Sound on
di, Hungarian, Polish, Indonesian,
Demand, a computerized electronic
Korean, Swahili, Thai, Turkish, Yoru-
system that puts "news bites" and
ba and Portuguese and Spanish (for
other audio at our programmers' fin-
Iberia as well as Latin America).
gertips and 10 audio mix and tape du-
plicating centers provide additional
Audience
support for rapid, high-quality pro-
duction. VOA writers and editors are
Worldwide about 127 million adults -
also assisted by the staffs of a music
aged 15 and older - regularly listen to
library stocked with more than 80,000
18
Broadcasting For the 90s
Broadcasting For the 90s
A GLOBAL VIEW
0
Woofferton
Moscow
Londone
Bonn
Warsaw
Paris
Munich
Geneva
Vienna
Chicago
Boston
Kavala
Beijing
Tokyo
Bethany
New York
Rhodes
Delano
OWASHINGTON
Islamabad
Los Angeles
Greenville
Amman
Tangier
Cairo Jerusalem
New Delhi
Miami
Marathon
Poro
Antigua
Bangkoker
Tiang
*Punta Gorda
Colombo*
San Jose
Monrovia
Abidjan
0
Nairobi
2008
Selebi-Pikwe
Rio de Janeiro
Johannesburg
VOICE OF AMERICA
0
VOA RELAY STATIONS
VOA CORRESPONDENT BUREAUS
VOA HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
DD
1.9
BLUEPRINTS FOR THE 90s
Meeting the Demands of a
At the same time, research tells us that
1980s, the quest for local markets accel-
New Communications Age
VOA appeals to the young and the
erated for VOA in every region of the
educated more than any other interna-
world. In essence, the Voice began
1989 was an epochal year in the politics
tional broadcaster. VOA must capital-
building and will continue to build a
and media of Eastern Europe, the
ize on this by evoking a young sound,
global network of affiliated stations. In
USSR and China. Long silent major-
which stimulates the listeners of to-
1989, one of the most striking creations
ities erupted in street demonstrations
morrow and competes on its own
at the Voice was the launching of VOA
which toppled or traumatized govern-
terms in what some have called a tele-
Pacific. It began on January 1, a one-
ments from Beijing to Bucharest. Bor-
vision age. This can be done by con-
hour weekly program in English of
ders opened. Walls and barbed wire
stantly seeking new opportunities to
music and regionally-targetted fea-
fences were dismantled. New leaders
reach out to listeners and news sources
tures aimed at younger audiences in
in East Germany, Poland, Hungary,
via electronic means. Daily, the inno-
East Asia. Initially, there were 14 affili-
Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Bulgar-
vative international broadcaster can
ate stations. In less than a year, VOA
ia began to fashion new institutions
become a sort of town meeting of the
Pacific expanded to five times a week,
and in some instances, radically re-
world by linking capital to capital, spe-
and more than 50 affiliates. As the
structure their societies and their econ-
cialist to specialist, idea to idea. Radio
1990s begin, it is clear that networking
omies. In a real sense, it was a year of
bridges, networking, telephone audio
has come of age. Worldwide, VOA is
crowning achievement for the idea of
feed services, special music and lan-
transmitting several hundred hours of
freedom.
guage teaching programs, listener con-
programming material weekly via sat-
For Western international broadcast-
tact forums all can appeal to audiences
ellite to other radio stations.
ers, the 1990s mark the dawn of an era
who have become accustomed to seek-
Today, VOA's newsgathering, pro-
of unprecedented opportunity. More
ing the facts about their world from far
gram production and technical re-
than at any time since World War II,
beyond the borders of their own coun-
sources serve both direct broadcasting
the flow of information to the USSR
tries. Fortunately for the international
and networking activities simulta-
and Europe is expanding. The poten-
broadcasters, their curiosity and zest
neously. Productivity surveys have
tial for change in China is greater than
for learning will be a mass phenome-
shown that even with a shrinking staff
at any time since the death of Mao in
non for many years to come.
because of budget cuts, VOA broad-
1976. In the developing world, satellite
casters are quietly reaching additional
technology, VCRs, and the miraculous
Investing in Networking
millions as direct broadcasts are simul-
speed of the modern global electronic
cast on hundreds of other stations and
village are bringing information to ru-
VOA and other international services
networks. That is a plus for the taxpay-
ral people as never before. It is impera-
recognize that local medium wave,
er. But it is also a plus for the listener.
tive that VOA position itself for
FM, and cable stations reach millions
As VOA broadcasters maintain daily
changes on all these fronts simulta-
of radio listeners who may never tune
contact with their radio station clients,
neously. That can only be done with
in to a foreign broadcaster. During the
they learn in real time what listeners
adequate resources.
Shortwave long distance broadcasting
is cited as a major catalyst in the sea
changes of the late 1980s. Now, it is
clear that as media of once tightly-
VOA FAN CLUBS OF NARAYANGANJ
sealed societies become more porous,
VOA must become a leader in filling
WEL COME
the gap. A different kind of program-
ming is necessary. For those in rapid-
BARBARA KLIEN
ly-evolving societies such as the USSR,
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (WORLD MAGAJIN)
Poland, Hungary and other East Euro-
VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON D.C
pean countries, there is an almost un-
OCTOBER 12. 1989.
quenchable thirst for information
about the ideals and techniques of
Western pluralistic societies. VOA will
usher in the new decade by meeting
that need through series on how
America works, how it solves prob-
lems, how it organizes businesses,
how it practices democracy. VOA is
uniquely chartered to fulfill this func-
tion - not only in the Soviet Union
and Europe, but in China and
throughout the developing world
where the same practical questions are
increasingly posed about what makes
free societies tick.
Worldwide English presenter Barbara Klein (second from left) meets listeners in Bangladesh.
20
Broadcasting For the 90s
The Deputy Chief of VOA's East Europe Division, Andreas Antypas (left), VOA Czech/Slovak Service Chief Miro Dobrovodsky (center) and
Director Carlson with a "thank you" plaque from Slovak students. Barbed wire on the plaque is from the Iron Curtain that separated
Czechoslovakia from Austria until December 1989.
want in a particular target area. Conse-
es must be equipped with quality att-
those who inhabit lands plagued by
quently, VOA's direct broadcasts are
dio processors and updated recording
political instability and strife. There
more finely honed, more precisely
equipment. At both posts and radio
are challenges and opportunities com-
attuned, to the interests of the new in-
stations, recipients must be trained to
mon to us all, wherever we live.
ternational broadcast listener of the
operate these.
Among these are environmental is-
1990s.
The desire of affiliates for real-time or
sues, the harnessing of modern
The agenda ahead is a busy one. Spe-
near real-time news programming will
technology, improved agriculture,
cifically, VOA will be reshaping the
mean that posts and radio stations,
narcotics use and trafficking, diseases
format of its own broadcasts to con-
more and more, will have to operate
(including AIDS), the age-old yearn-
form with those of local media (includ-
around the clock. News knows no
ings for justice, a decent education,
ing flexibility for local news, weather
holiday and VOA news is a sought-
economic well-being and human
and even advertisements), while re-
after commodity, no matter what hour
rights. International broadcasters must
taining control over all editorial con-
of day or night. The U. S. action in
address these concerns, again with
tent which originates in Washington.
Panama began in the early hours of a
practical information tailored to the
Face-to-face contacts with affiliates
December morning, and more than
needs of each audience.
and prospective affiliates is essential.
1,100 stations in the Western hemi-
All too frequently, VOA tries to meet
One cannot market radio programs via
sphere called for VOA reports in Span-
these needs by stretching the broad-
a long distance telephone call. Elec-
ish or Portuguese. Romania's former
cast dollar almost beyond its limits. In
tronic delivery of the programming
dictator and his wife were tried and
early 1989, Asian specialists recom-
will have to be refined and extended.
executed on Christmas Day, and the
mended special transmissions to the
In most countries, the TV receive only
demand for reports on their fate was
Pacific islands because of the paucity
(TVRO) dishes at USIS posts will con-
undiminished.
of up-to-date news and information in
tinue to be the initial downlinking
one of the area's most isolated last
point for VOA placement material.
USIS posts long accustomed to receiv-
Looking Beyond the News
frontiers. Ordinarily, one would have
tried to develop specially-targetted
ing airpouched tapes will, instead, be
of the Day
programming to the region. But be-
recording and distributing TVRO-de-
cause of budgetary constraints, VOA
livered programming. If networking is
America's need to communicate with
had to simulcast an existing English
to continue to grow, USIS posts and
the world by radio is not confined to
evening program for Europe to the Pa-
radio stations with TVRO receive dish-
those who live in closed societies or
cific islands in the morning! Last June,
Broadcasting For the 90s
21
VOA - almost overnight expanded
broadcasts to China from nine to 13
hours daily. Within three months, the
imperative to stay on the air in Manda-
rin and Cantonese meant that the
Voice had to reduce its broadcasts in
three other languages - Arabic, Span-
ish and Russian. Development also
was deferred of new programming on
fundamental issues such as health,
economics, and the workings of a plu-
ralistic society. VOA hopes in the
1990s to obtain the resources necessary
to pursue excellence in the creation of
programs which inspire and touch di-
rectly the daily needs of listeners.
Fostering English as a Global
VOA Hungarian Service Chief Thomas Bien (center) moderates the Washington side of a trans-
Means of Communication
Atlantic radio bridge with Hungary's national broadcasting service. Also taking part are foreign
affairs expert Miklos Radvanyi (left) and Professor Janos Horvath of Butler University (right).
For the past 30 years, VOA Special En-
glish has been offering listeners a wide
There are an estimated 400 million na-
VOA in Arabic, Bangla and Khmer. Six
variety of programs in clear, easy-to-
tive speakers of English in the world
other services have received rights au-
understand English, using a vocabu-
today, and at least another 700 million
thorizations from Maxwell-Macmillan
lary of about 1,500 everyday words,
for whom English is a second lan-
and are adapting or planning to use
spoken more clearly and slowly than
guage. During the 1990s, VOA is ex-
the series in 1990. They are: Special En-
ordinary English. Special English,
panding its efforts of many years in
glish, Polish, Romanian, Hindi,
broadcast to every region of the world,
English teaching. The idea is to help
French to Africa, and Creole. Compan-
gives the latest world news and tells
accelerate the growth of English as the
ion printed lesson guides will be avail-
listeners about science and about
universal language of choice.
able commercially in bookstores in
America - its people, history, litera-
For years, VOA's Chinese, Arabic and
some countries and at a few USIS posts
ture and institutions.
Polish services have helped their lis-
overseas. VOA will inform listeners
These programs do not teach English
teners learn or improve their English
how to get the printed companion les-
directly, but many listeners say that
skills. VOA Chinese has devoted up to
sons - greatly expanding the hori-
Special English helps them greatly im-
an hour and a half daily to English
zons of the millions who see English as
prove their ability to understand spo-
teaching. The Arabic Branch has
a passport to progress in the modern
ken English. A listener in Japan wrote:
taught English for 20-30 minutes daily
world.
"Your Special English programs made
since the 1960s, and recently intro-
me able to understand English by ear
duced new English lessons and a lan-
for the first time. Owing to them, it has
guage version of the Special English
Enhancing Research
become my. pleasure rather than pain
program, Words and Their Stories.
to listen to other English programs
VOA Polish also has taught English for
Among the principal international
whose speed I cannot necessarily catch
years. The service made history on
broadcasters, VOA has the smallest re-
up with. I am much encouraged by my
January 21 when it began transmitting
search resources to assess listenership
progress in understanding them now."
live daily English newscasts, with Pol-
potential of the 1990s. In the
Indeed, VOA research shows that in
ish translation, on the primary channel
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, on-
Japan, eight of the 10 most-listened-to
of Polish State Radio.
site opinion polling will enable special-
VOA English programs are Special En-
Since 1986, the United States Informa-
ists to do research of greater depth and
glish. In India, Special English pro-
tion Agency and Macmillan Publishers
insight on the impact of the electronic
grams are five of the top ten. In Aus-
of New York (now Maxwell Macmillan
media than ever before. Increasingly,
tralia, Special English has four of the
International Publishing Group) have
the leading broadcasters - VOA, the
top 10 VOA programs, and even in
worked to produce English teaching
BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liber-
Britain, two of the top 10. In China,
materials (radio, television and print).
ty, Radio France International and Ra-
listenership to Special English is per-
One of the products of this partnership
dio Netherlands - are cooperating in
vasive. In the words of a BBC survey:
is Tuning in the USA, a brand new ra-
audience research.
"The range of VOA Special English
dio series that teaches American En-
Currently, RFE/RL approximately $2
programs, especially news, seems to
glish. This is a radio drama simulating
million annually on research designed
be in radio terms what the BBC range
everyday conversational situations, in
to enhance and sharpen program con-
of Follow Me programmes is in televi-
52 ten-minute programs.
tent. The BBC spends $480,000 and
sion terms: unrivalled."
Tuning in the USA is now broadcast by
earns additional funds for its research
22
Broadcasting For the 90s
by subscriptions. The World Service is
annual research plan as a model for
also makes it clear that VOA must be
planning to expand its research to
other USIA bureaus and notes that
able to transmit news and information
more than $1 million annually within
available research on audience size,
to any place in the world, at any mo-
the next few years. Deutsche Welle
characteristics, listening habits, signal
ment in time. Though crises inevitably
and Radio France International each
strength and programming prefer-
swell VOA audiences, millions of peo-
spend about $160,000 annually on re-
ences form part of VOA's annual eval-
ple also listen to our broadcasts in
search. In FY '89, VOA's total research
uation of each of its broadcast services.
normal times for daily enlightment,
expenditure was $138,000.
In the Commission's view, a compre-
education, or entertainment, and their
Long range planners say this must
hensive, Agency-wide program evalu-
numbers are growing. Stimulated in
change if VOA is to remain competi-
ation strategy should be prepared and
part by the increasing abundance of in-
tive. Focus groups and on-site surveys
the percentage of research funds de-
expensive, easy-to-tune, portable re-
are essential if the nation's largest in-
voted to media and program studies
ceivers, VOA audiences in the Near
ternational broadcasting organization
should be increased.
East and South Asia nearly doubled
is to track the rapid changes in the me-
That certainly is happening in interna-
during the past decade - rising from
dia environments of the developing
tional broadcasting generally. At a
13.1 to 25.6 million. In Africa too, VOA
world and in the lands where freedom
time of enormous change in listening
has 8.9 million more listeners than
is on the march. Such studies are also
patterns and delivery systems such as
in 1980.
important to measure the size and
global networking, surveys of audi-
VOA is mandated "to communicate di-
preferences of audiences who hear re-
ences are essential to success in the
rectly with the people of the world by
broadcasts of VOA on local medium
1990s.
radio." But VOA cannot reach people
wave and FM stations, as networking
who cannot hear its broadcasts be-
expands.
Achieving a Modernized
cause of weak signals nor keep listen-
The United States Advisory Commis-
Global Transmitter Network
ers in regions where reception of
sion on Public Diplomacy has for sev-
competitive broadcasts is becoming
eral years advocated a substantial
There is no more compelling evidence
stronger and clearer. About 70 per cent
increase in research investment for all
of the impact of VOA's direct broad-
of the transmitters in VOA's existing
of USIA. In the Commission's words:
casts than China's quickly-launched
network are more than 20 years old.
In 1983, VOA began an extensive and
much-publicized $1.3 billion modern-
ization program that included con-
struction of 11 new relay stations.
Unfortunately, completion of the com-
plex design process for the network co-
incided with the urgent need to reduce
the government's budget deficit. The
prospect of a $1.3 billion program van-
ished, but the need for it remained.
Last year, a VOA team composed of
specialists in every aspect of broadcast
engineering produced a new global
transmission plan identified simply as
"An Agenda for Action." Although
scaled back from earlier designs, the
1989 plan outlines a modernization
program that can significantly extend
coverage and enhance reception
worldwide.
The "Agenda for Action" is a compre-
hensive engineering plan based on a
single, easily understood concept: con-
struction of just three new relay sites
VOA music Director Judy Massa (center with necklace) interviews country and western artists.
coupled with aggressive refurbish-
ment of existing stations. The Con-
gress has appropriated initial funding
"Effectiveness studies are important
campaign to control the flow of news
for construction of the new stations in
during periods of program innovation
to its citizens. Today, despite jam-
Israel (a joint VOA/BIB project), Mo-
and growth such as occurred in the
ming, uncounted and uncountable
rocco and Thailand that will be
1980s. Equally, they are needed to
millions in China are listening to com-
equipped with satellite receive dishes,
guide decisions on program priorities
pare what the Voice reports with the
powerful 500 kW transmitters and
in times of budget austerity.'
news offered by suppressed and cen-
state-of-the-art antennas. For audi-
The Commission characterizes VOA's
sored local media. The China situation
ences in Eastern Europe, the Soviet
Broadcasting For the 90s
23
Union, the Middle East, China, South
and Southeast Asia, listening to VOA
broadcasts will be easier and more
pleasant. The new station in Thailand
will also reduce total dependence on
transmissions to Asian audiences from
the Philippines Relay Station. Current-
ly, this station's mix of old. low power
and new, high power transmitters pro-
vides the primary means to broadcast
in 14 languages including Mandarin to
China, Russian to the Soviet Far East,
Hindi to India, and English to both
East Asia and East Africa.
The use of the word aggressive to de-
scribe the type of refurbishment envi-
sioned for stations such as Liberia,
Botswana and Sri Lanka is important.
The charts on the inside cover of this
report indicate what aggressive refur-
bishment at our Sri Lanka station can
achieve. Replacement of three trans-
mitters and installation of modern an-
tennas will greatly extend its coverage
area. All that is needed now is sus-
tained fiscal support for this very cost
effective investment - two cents a lis-
tener - in America's global communi-
cation of the 21st century.
24
Broadcasting For the 90s
PRESENT COVERAGE FROM SRI LANKA STATION
"For years, international these broadcasting opera-
N.OL
2
radio services like the
tions, and those who have
d
}
BBC, the Voice of America
funded them, goes much
and Radio Free Europe
of the credit for the flow of
have beamed the truth
accurate news to people
through chinks in the Iron
whose
governments
1
N
Curtain to information-
sought to isolate them."
60c
Y
hungary citizens of na-
tions. held captive. To
John Hughes
Christian Science
N
Monitor Columist
N
40
N
Latitude
30°
N
20°
0
N
10°
10
0°
S
10
S
20
S
30
5
40
10° W
10 E
30 E
50°E
70°E
90 E
110°E
130° E
150 E
170°E
Longitude
COVERAGE WITH 3-TRANSMITTER REFURBISHMENT
N
70°
1
60°N
N
8
E
N
$
50°
C
N
40°
N
Latitude
30°
B
N
20°
N
10
0°
S
10°
10
5
20
S
30°
b
S
10' W
10 E
30 E
50 E
70 E
90 E
no E
130 E
150 E
170 t
Longitude
Broadcasting For the 90s
25
VOA
26
Broadcasting For the 90s
VOA
VOICE OF AMERICA
Washington, D.C. 20547