Images (12)
Document
| id |
id
6858557
|
|---|---|
| contentType |
contentType
document
|
| source |
source
import
|
Source image fields (6)
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 12CONFIDENTIAL
SYSTEM II
90383
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 23, 1985
National Security Study
Directive 05-85
U.S. Policy toward Oceania (U)
Introduction
The President has directed a review of the United States Policy
toward Oceania. (C)
Oceania includes some 10,000 islands with a population of about 5
million people, scattered over 1/6 of the earth's surface, mostly
in the Southwest Pacific. During World War II, the U.S. suffered
almost 300,000 casualties (killed and wounded) in this area.
Since at least 1970, with the exception of some National Security
Studies and Directives on the Trust Territories of the Pacific
Islands (Micronesia), there has not been a comprehensive
interagency study of Oceania, the changes at work there, and the
implications for U.S. policy. Our policies toward the area have
been made largely incrementally over a period of years. For the
most part we have been fortunate in terms of foreign policy
interests. Basically pro-Western, most islanders share our
respect for decency and human rights and have modeled their
institutions on those of Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.
1st
Now, the scene in Oceania is changing. In 1970 there were only 3
independent or freely associated states and 16 dependent terri-
tories in the region. Today, there are 11 independent or freely
associated states and 11 territories. In the next few years,
the number of independent or freely associated states will
probably increase to 15. Imbedded in the region will be 3 U.S.
territories and 7 small U.S. insular possessions. (e)
The comfortable, unchallenged situation we have enjoyed for so
long is giving way to a situation where we face increasing
problems. In addition to the drive for independence by the
remaining dependencies, there are other important forces of
change at work in the region. (6)
The establishment of the 200-mile Exclusive Economic
Zones (EEZ) has greatly altered the strategic map of
the area, increasing the importance of these island
nations, which (with these zones) now form a great bloc
across the Central and South Pacific. 101
Partially Declassified/Released on 6/6/94
under provisions of E.0. 12958
CONFIDENTIAL
by 0 Van Tascel. Security Counci!
F88- 712
Declassify on: OADR
COPY that 17 COPIES
CONFIDENTIAL
INCLASSIFIED
Relations
belongs_to
belongs_to