NSDD 223 Implementing the Geneva Exchanges Initiative

educators or public figures to study ways of improving understanding through language studies; People-to-People -- expansion of *sister-city" relationships i -- increased exchanges of civic, religious, and other groups i Media and Information Exchanges -- inauguration of regular media exchanges; -- establishment of out-of-embassy cultural centers and/or libraries in each other's capital; -- facilitation of direct satellite transmissions to each other's country; -- increased publication and distribution of each other's books and publications; Consultations -- broader consultations on a variety of topics of mutual interest, including health and social problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse and trafficking. (U) I attach high priority to the exchanges initiative, and am requesting that all United States Government agencies which have responsibilities in the areas of agreed cooperation give high priority and render every possible assistance to their implementation. (U) To provide overall policy guidance, a new Interagency Group on the President's Geneva Exchanges Initiatives (IG/GEI) has been established. It is chaired by the NSC's Senior Director for European and Soviet Affairs, and includes representatives of all concerned U.S. Government agencies. The IG will review programs and implementation to ensure that they are in confor- mity with U.S. policy and objectives toward the Soviet Union. (U) In addition, :I have asked USIA Director Wick to create a new office of the Coordinator for the President's U.S. -Soviet Exchanges Initiative, established at USIA with the express purpose of working with USIA, other concerned U.S. Government agencies, and the private sector to develop concrete programs in each of the six agreed areas and others which appear promising. The Coordinator will also chair a working group to develop and coordinate proposals for new initiatives, establish coordinate the response to other U.S and Soviet proposals, and guidelines and operating procedures for the programs, CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL