Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
1534631
label
1975/06/27 - Murphy Commission
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
1534631
contentType
document
title
1975/06/27 - Murphy Commission
collections
James M. Cannon Files (Ford Administration)
James Cannon's Meetings Files
subjects
Independent regulatory commissions
International relations
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
1534631
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1975-06-30
month
6
year
1975
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1975-06-01
month
6
year
1975
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
1a1936ae149c82a3
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 47, folder "1975/06/27 - Murphy Commission" of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 47 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library murphy phy THE WHITE HOUSE tabloter WASHINGTON Browfuld June 26, 1975 MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY (THE MURPHY COMMISSION) Friday, June 27, 1975 Cabinet Room 2:00 p.m. (15 minutes) From: Jim Cannon June Brent Scowcroft I. PURPOSE To receive the report of the Commission on Organization of the Government for the Conduct of Foreign Policy. II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS ARRANGEMENTS A. Background: The Commission was established by legislation on July 13, 1972, as a joint Commission. The membership was appointed by the former President, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House. The Commission will report both to you and to the Congress. Chairman Murphy plans to deliver copies of the report to the President pro tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House later in the day. In the last two years the Commission has sponsored a number of research studies, listened to the testimony of a large number of individuals, and met regularly in recent months to develop the report being presented to you. The report attempts to cover the whole gamut of foreign policy organizational issues. -2- (A table of contents is attached at Tab D.) Some of its recommendations will be controversial but on the whole, radical changes from current foreign policy organization are not suggested. (A number of the more significant suggestions made by the Commission are listed briefly at Tab C.) In the annex to the report are separate remarks of some Commissioners. The include Senator Mansfield, Congressman Bloomfield, Mrs. Engelhard and the Vice President. In receiving the report you will simply want to thank the members for their contributions and indicate that the suggestions of the Commission will be given careful review and consideration. B. Participants: Tab A. C. Press Plan: To be announced: photo opportunity. III. TALKING POINTS Suggested remarks are at Tab B. Attachments Tab A: Participants Tab B: Talking Points Tab C: Key Suggestions of Commission Report Tab D: Table of Contents Tab E: Membership of the Commission A PARTICIPANTS Mr. Robert D. Murphy, Chairman Dr. David M. Abshire, Commissioner Mr. William J. Casey, Commissioner Cong. William S. Broomfield, Commissioner Mr. Arend D. Lubbers, Commissioner Mr Frank G. ₽ McGlinn, Commissioner Will not attend. Cong. Clement J. Zablocki, Commissioner Dr. Francis O. Wilcox, Executive Director of Commission Fisher Howe, Deputy Director of Commission Peter L. Szanton, Research Director of Commission William I. Bacchus, Associate Research Director of Commission Staff: Jim Cannon Brent Scowcroft B TALKING POINTS Foreign policy and national security issues touch the lives of every American. When your Commission was established three years ago, America faced a much different situation. Much has happened since then--both domestically and internationally. A more difficult economic situation. A changed situation in Indochina and the Middle East--to name but a few of the dramatic events which have occurred in the period during which you have prepared this report. In dealing with such a complex and traumatic period of transition, you have had a difficult task. I look forward to reading the Commission's recommendations for organization in the vast number of areas you have considered. There are few Departments these days which are not directly concerned with foreign policy. I shall ask each of them to make recommendations to me through the NSC concerning the findings of the Commission. The membership of this Commission has been most distinguished and reflects a careful blend of experience in government, academia, and the private sector. I want to express my appreciation for the efforts you have made to assist me in the responsibilities I share with the Congress for the conduct of the foreign policy of our great nation. I particularly want to thank your Chairman, who has provided such outstanding leadership in this effort. I am confident that we will have a more effective Government organization as a result of your collective efforts. C KEY SUGGESTIONS OF COMMISSION REPORT NSC. The NSC system is endorsed, but the report suggests that the concept of national security be expanded to em- brace international economic issues. -- It is proposed that the Secretary of the Treasury be a member of the NSC, that this council consider international economic issues, and that the NSC staff be strengthened in the economic area. -- A joint subcouncil on international economic policy is proposed at the Under Secretary level. It is designed to pull together domestic and international economic policy considerationsunder the guidance of the Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs. The Director of ACDA is endorsed as the Chief NSC advisor on arms control matters. --- State. Several changes are proposed concerning senior positions in the State Department and organization of the Bureaus -- with the emphasis on developing greater func- tional capability and strengthening State in the economic and political-military areas. -- Strengthening the control of the Ambassador abroad is endorsed. -- A number of State Department personnel system changes are proposed and the call is made for a Foreign Affairs Execu- tive Service for senior positions in foreign policy posi- tions at home and abroad. Defense. In the defense area, a national security review committee is proposed as a replacement for the DPRC, and arms control and budgeting aspects are emphasized. Intelligence. The Intelligence area received more atten- tion by Commissioners than any other of the report. The changes are not, however, significant. CIA would be called the Foreign Intelligence Agency and the Director would have an office in close proximity to the White House. He would delegate much of the direction of the Agency to his Deputy, but would retain responsi- bility for management of the agency as well as community- wide leadership. -- A strengthening of NSCIC and the Forty Committee practices is suggested, but no radical changes in organization are proposed. -- Advisory Boards. The Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board is endorsed and new advisory boards of private citizens are suggested in the areas of national defense, economics, human rights, and planning. USIA. Recommendations of the Stanton Committee with regard to breaking up USIA are favored by the majority but there was serious division in the Commission. A separate opinion has been filed by Congressman Bloomfield. 2 Congress. The chapter on Executive-Congressional relations has been improved substantially, but still gives the im- pression of restricting the Executive. It has been com- mented on extensively in the Vice President's supplementary opinion. -- The main proposal in the chapter on Congressional organi- zation is for a joint committee on national security to cover the kinds of issues addressed by the NSC and to pro- vide the central point linking the Executive with the Congress on these matters. -- The joint committee would include leaders of the key foreign, military and international economic policy committees and several members-at-large appointed by party leaders. It would receive intelligence information and reports under the War Powers Act. The chapters on Congress also call for criminal sanctions for unauthorized release of classified information, a code of conduct to govern the handling by the Joint National Security Committee of classified or sensitive information, and establishment of the facilities and procedures for storage and handling of classified information and materials supplied to the Congress in general. 3 D 6/17/75 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE I SUMMARY II THE PURPOSES OF ORGANIZATION Chapter 1 The Importance of Organization Chapter 2 The Future of U.S. Foreign Policy III THE PRESIDENT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT Chapter 3 Executive Office of the President Chapter 4 The State Department IV THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY Chapter 5 Foreign Economic Policy Chapter 6 Defense Policy Chapter 7 Intelligence Chapter 8 Public Opinion and Humanitarian Considerations Chapter 9 The Practice of Diplomacy Chapter 10 Planning for Foreion Policy Chapter 11 Budgeting and Foreign Affairs Chapter 12 Personnel for Foreign Affairs V CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE RELATIONS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS Chapter 13 Congressional-Executive Relations Chapter 14 Congressional Organization and Procedures VI CONCLUDING COMMENTS * it * * * ANNEXES A - Comments and Supplementary Views B - Authorizing Legislation C - List of Witnesses D - List of Consultants and Researchers E - Appendices: Table of Contents DERALD FORD LIBEARY E COMMISSION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Commission Chairman Robert D. Murphy Honorary Chairman, Corning Glass International New York, New York The Honorable Nelson A. Rockefeller Vice President of the United States David M. Abshire Chairman, Center of Strategic & International Studies Georgetown University William J. Casey President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank of the US Washington, D.C. APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Mike Mansfield Senator from Montana Commission Vice Chairman James B. Pearson Senator from Kansas Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. Far Hills, New Jersey Frank C. P. McGlinn Executive Vice President, Fidelity Bank Philadelphia, Pennsylvania APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Clement J. Zablocki Representative from Wisconsin Stanley P. Wagner President, East Central State College Ada, Oklahoma GERALD FORD LIBRARY Arend D. Lubbers President, Grand Valley State College Allendale, Michigan William S. Broomfield Representative from Michigan Principal Staff Executive Director Francis O. Wilcox Director Fisher Howe General Counsel William B. Spong, Jr. Research Director Peter L. Szanton GREAT FORD 2