What else is not new under the sun? -- Another Relevant Blast from U.S. Public Diplomacy's Past (1977)

FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1977–1980, VOLUME XXX

54. Briefing Memorandum From the Chief of the Policy Guidance Staff, Office of Policy and Plans, United States Information Agency (Thurber) to the Deputy Director (Bray)

Washington, May 23, 1977

SUBJECT

Excerpt [JB]:

USIA [JB -- see] Relations with the State Department

We discussed briefly last week the need for a new/expanded relationship with the Department of State.

The problem with State is roughly the same that exists with the White House—basically we do not have access to the intellectual process that goes into foreign policy decisions and events. If USIA is to support U.S. foreign policy, we need to know in advance what we are trying to accomplish, how we plan to get there, and the role USIA can play, including input and execution. I am thinking not only of major speeches but also foreign policy initiatives, trips, etc.

IOP/G [JB - IOP/G or USIA/IOP/G, Policy Guidance Staff, Office of Policy and Plans, United States Information Agency, as defined in the volume] does get guidance from State, usually from the PA’s in the various bureaus and we do attend most of the bureaus’ weekly meetings. I talk daily with Hodding Carter or one of his deputies. But most of this is along the lines of fire fighting. Our contacts are usually not plugged into the decision-making process and can only react to events. ...