CABLE TO GENERAL SCOWCROFT FROM JERRY BREMER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2009
• Sequence Number: 62
• Publication Date: November 5, 1974
• Content Type: CABLE

00 RUEI SS No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
DE RUDKOlt i 322 3090*9 4p
ZNY XXXXX
0 050056Z ZFF4
BT
xxxxx
WASHINGTON'PASS ELECTRICALLY TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR GENERAL SCOWCROFT
ON-FILE NSC
RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
C O N F I D E N T I A L 050056Z NOV 74 22
TO : GENERAL SCOWCROFT
FROM: JERRY BREMER
HAKTO 111
1. AS PROMISED, HEREWITH TEXT OF KANSAS CITY STAR ARTICLE
ON BUTZ'S PRESS CONFERENCE, HELD IN ROME NOVEMBER 4.
2. ROME (KIEWIT) WHILE REFUSING TO DESCRIBE THE WORLD FOOD
SITUATION AS A CRISIS, EARL L. BUTZ, U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY,
SAID HERE ON THE EVE OF THE 11-DAY WORLD FOOD CONFERENCE THAT
THE WORK OF THE DELEGATES FROM APPROXIMATELY 140 NATIONS "MUST
NOT BE PERMITTED TO FAIL ."
BUTZ, WHO ARRIVED IN ROME TONIGHT AFTER CONFERRING WITH
WUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL OFFICIALS EARLIER IN THE DAY IN BRUSSELS,
SAID ONE ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT CO-OPERATION WILL BE THE WORKING
ATMOSPHERE IS THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAS JUST PLEDGED 1
MILLION TONS OF WHEAT TO INDIA.
" I REFRAIN FROM USING THE WORD CRISIS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OVERALL WORLD FOOD SITUATION, BUT IT IS CRITICAL," BUTZ
SAID UPON HIS ARRIVAL TO HEAD THE U.S. DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE
WHICH CONTINUES UNTIL NOV. 16.
HENRY 1{ISSINGER, SECRETARY OF STATE, WILL ADDRESS THE OPENING
SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE TOMORROW. BUTZ WILL MAKE HIS CONFERENCE
ADDRESS LATER THIS WEEK. THEN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING NATIONS
WILL TELL THE CONFERENCE WHAT IT CAN D0, OR WHAT IT WILL NEED,
IN FOOD SUF No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 THE iML'~T'n T-ln T r. nrT-in t1Ct r% Fikirtt Tut C!UnRtCf"1bCUTfl r TUC`
UNITED E MF No Objlz X0 r.4. lu ection two Devcllassiifficationlin Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262 2-62-0
THE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI, A HUGE AUDITORIUM.
FOLLOWING THE FORMAL PRESENTATIONS, DELEGATES WILL DIVIDE INTO
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS TO DISCUSS SUCH MATTERS AS INCREASING FOOD
PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS, MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN FOOD
SECURITY, PLANS TO IMPROVE TRADE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THAT,
THE MEETING WILL CONCLUDE ON THE FINAL TWO DAYS WITH THE WRITING
AND ADOPTION OF A FINAL REPORT.
" " THE FOOD CONFERENCE DARE NOT FAIL, BUT THE SUCCESS OF
THE MEETING REMAINS TO BE SEEN," BUTZ ADMITTED.
" I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES TO THAT. WORLD FOOD RESERVES ARE
THE LOWEST THEY HAVE BEEN IN MANY, MANY YEARS. THAT IS CHIEFLY
THE RESULT OF A VERY POOR PRODUCTION YEAR IN 1972 ARROUND THE
WORLD AND AGAIN IN 1974, ESPECIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH
OUR CORN CROP.
IN LISTING HIS HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE ROME CONFERENCE,
WITH DELEGATES FROM BOTH THE U.S.S.R. AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA IN ATTENDANCE, BUTZ TICKED OFF FOUR ITEMS THAT HE
SAID MUST BE HANDLED CO-OPERATIVELY AND SUFF-- SUCCESSFULLY.
HE MENTIONED: DEDICATION TO INCREASE TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL
ASSISTANCE; THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRUDENT RESERVE POLICY, A
BETTER REPORTING SYSTEM TO DETERMINE AREAS OF WORLD SHORTAGES
AND SURPLUSES AND, LASTLY, SHORT TERM RELIEF FOR PERSONS ALREADY
SUFFERING FROM HUNGER IN AFRICA AND ASIA.
DEVELOPING NATIONS SIMPLY MUST INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO
FEED THEMSELVES, HE SAID, ADDING: " "IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, FOR
EXAMPLE, THE INCREASE IN YEILDS HAS BEEN TWICE AS GREAT IN THE
DEVELOPED NATIONS AS IN THE DEVELOPOING NATIONS. THIS MUST BE
CORRECTED ."
BUTZ TOLD A GROUP OF NEWSMEN FROM ACCROSS THE WORLD THAT UNTIL
THE LAST TWO YEARS VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE FOOD RESERVES IN THE
WORLD WERE CONCENTRATED IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. HE SAID
U.S. RESERVES WERE ACCUMULATED MOSTLY AS THE RESULT OF DOMESTIC
FARM PROGRAMS, WHICH COST THE TAXPAYERS UP TO DOLLARS 4 BILLION,
AS COMPARED TO LESS THAN DOLLARS 500 MILLION THIS YEAR AND THAT
FOR SEVERAL SPECIALIZED CROPS.
" THAT ERA HAS ENDED," HE SAID. " THERE THE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARRYING RESERVES MUST BE BROADENED AND MUST
BE SHARED BY ALL PRODUCING NATIONS AND ALSO BY THE PRINCIPAL
CONSUMING NATIONS."
HE ADDED THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS NEED NOT BE IN THE FORM OF FOOD
ITSELF AND URGED THE OIL PRODUCING NATIONS TO STEP UP THEIR DEGREE
OF HELP NOW THAT THEY HAVE FAVORABLE BALANCES OF TRADE. HE
MENT ONEP A.,DOLLARS 50 MILLION. GRANT BY EGYPT LAST SPRING AS
AN EXAMPLE' Nn (lhiartinn to flarI ifirntinn in Part 7(Nl9/19Ifl I (lr-HAK-7R7-7-R7-n
 BLITZ Annrn TWAT it-q- TT!Fl. ' WTl_l. INCRFASE ITS FOOD AID
UNDER PUBL, No Objection to-Declassification in Part 2009/12/09 LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
BILLION. WHEN REMINDED THAT THE INCREASE PROBABLY WOULD NOT
PROVIDE AS MUCH FOOD CONSIDERING INFLATION, BUTZ RESPONDED:
"I SIMPLY CAN'T COMMIT THE CONGRESS" TO INCREASING THAT SHARE.
HE SUMMED UP HIS INFORMAL REMARKS BY REPEATING A THEME HE
USED TIME AND AGAIN IN SIMILAR APPEARANCES AT HOME: THAT
THE PROFIT ELEMENT MUST BE PRESENT TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION,
WHETHER IN THE U.S. OR ELSEWHERE. IN FACT HE MENTIONED KANSAS
WHEAT FARMORS IN HIS ILLUSTRATION, SAYING THAT THE SOWING OF
WHEAT IN KANSAS NOW IS BEING COMPLETED.
" THE BEST POSSIBLE SIGNAL TO SEND BACK TO THEM WAS DOLLARS
4.50 A BUSHEL WHEAT," HE SAID. " THEY CAN INTERPRET THAT SIGNAL
WITH A DULL PENCIL. YOU NEED NO SPECIAL SKILL TO GET THAT
SIGNAL ACCROSS.
IF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE HAD GONE TO THEM AND SAID
WE WANT MORE WHEAT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THE PRICE DOWN AND TO
KEEP THE PRICE DOWN WE HAVE A STOCK HERE THAT WE WILL RELEASE WE
WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THE RESPONSE WE ARE GETTING".
IN A 2-DAY PRELUDE TO THE CONFERENCE, A GROUP OF
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMISTS AND AGRICULTURE EXPERTS FROM AROUND
THE WORLD CONVENED HERE UNDE THE DIRECTION OF BARBARA WARD
(LADY JACKSON, D. B. E.), A WIDELY KNOWN BRITISH ECONOMIST.
CALLING ITSELF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIORNMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT, THE GROUP ISSUED A DECLARATION OF THE ROME
FORUM ON WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS ON THE EVE OF THE WORLD
CONFERENCE*
THE CHAIRPERSON SAID THAT THE MEETING HERE CARRIES WITH
IT A "SENSE OF EXTREME URGENCY" HER CONVICTION IS THAT THE
REAL ISSUE IS WHETHER LARGE SEGMENTS OF MANKIND WILL HAVE
ENOUGH FOOD TO SURVIVE UNTIL THE 1975 HARVESTS. SHE PEGGED THE
CRITICAL TIME ELEMENT OVER THE NEXT SIX TO NINE MONTHS. SHE
CALLED FOR THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONALLY-CONTROLLED
AND PRICED GRAIN STOCKS SO "THAT WE DO NOT HAVE CONTINUOUSLY
INFLATIONARY PRESSURE ARISING FROM UNCONTROLLED WORLD MARKETS."
SHE ALSO CALLED FOR AN "EARLY WARNING SYSTEM" SO THAT
NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF THE SIZE
OF WORLD FOOD STOCKS AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME.
ONE IDEA PRESENTED IN THE DECLARATION APPEARS TO HAVE THE
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT OF DELEGATES FROM MANY NATIONS AS THEY ARRIVE
IN ROME. THAT IS THE CONCEPT THAT THE NEWLY-RICH OIL PRODUCING
NATIONS SHOULD JOIN WITH DEVELOPED NATIONS IN SHARING THE BURDEN
OF FEEDING '
NoObjection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 "WE grl Trur Tt,&T TNF ni.ri PT(?.H OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0 OME
WORLD AND . .,- . + - .
NEW EFFORT IN THS FIELD, "LADY
TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A WHOLE
JACKSON SAID.
THAT MIGHT BE ACHIEVED, LADY JACKSON ADDED, BUY THE FUNDING
OF A WORLD AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT. MUCH
OF THAT INVESTMENT, SHE SAID, SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO SMALL FORMERS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN A MASSIVE EFFORT TO HELP THEM COLLECTIVELY
TO INCREASE GRAIN PRODUCTION.
LADY JACKSON SUMMED UP BY SAYING THAT IN MAY AREAS OF
THE DEVELOPED WORLD DIETS ARE TOO HIGH FOR GOOD HEALTH,
ADDING THAT THE DESIRABILITY OF CUTTING DOWN OUR FOOD INTAKE
AND MAKING CERTAIN THAT A CORRESPONDING AMOUNT OF FOOD MONEY
FINDS ITS WAY TO A LEGITIMATE WORLD ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO
DISTRIBUTE FOOD OUGHT TO BE A TOP PRIORITY OF THE CONFERENCE
HERE .
"" IN 1946, WHEN THERE WAS A THREAT OF WORLD FAMINE IN THE
WAKE OF THE WAR AND THE PRESENT WEALTHY PEOPLE WERE 25 YEARS LESS
WEALTHY THAN THEY ARE NOW, THE GOVERNMENTS OF THAT TIME,
INCLUDING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, HAD THE GUTS TO SAY TO THEIR
PROPLE THERE WILL BE RATIONING THIS WINTER BECAUSE WE
MUST BE CERTAIN THAT THE GRAIN IS AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THAT
WHAT WE DID 25 YEARS AGO IS NOT INCONCIEVABLE NOW.
LESTER BROWN, A U.S. WRITER t WORLD FOOD EXPERT AND A FORMER
OFFICIAL OF THE USDA, TOLD THE FORUM THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO WAYS
OF STRETCHING OUT WORLD FOOD SUPPLIES. ONE, HE SAID, WAS FOR
GOVERNMENTS TO INTERVENE IN THE MARKET AND, IN THE AFFLUENT
NATIONS, PURCHASING FOOD FOR SHIPMENT ABROAD. ANOTHER IS TO ASK
CONSUMERS VOLUNTARILY TO REDUCE THEIR CONSUMPTION. BROWN ADDED
HE BELIEVED THAT APPROACH WOULD WORK IF AMERICANS WERE ASKED.
"WE HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IN
ASKING FOR CONSUMPTION TO BE REDUCED, "BROWN SAID." THE
PRESIDENT EARLY THIS YEAR ASKED AMERICANS TO CUT BACK ON THE
USE OF ENERGY, FOR EXAMPLE, TURNING DOWN THERMOSTATS SIX
DEGREES.
" I THINK THE GREAT MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WERE RESPONSIVE
TO THAT REQUEST. I THINK THE SAME GREAT MAJORITY, AS WELL AS
THOSE IN OTHER AFFLUENT COUNTRIES, WOULD BE RESPONSIVE AGAIN
TODAY TO REQUESTS FOR CUTTING BACK ON FOOD CONSUMPTION, IF
THAT CUTBACK WAS LINKED TO A FOOD RELIEF PROGRAM TO PREVENT
A RISE IN DEATH RATES THAT OTHERWISE WILL BE INEVITABLE IN A
NUMBER OF THE LOWINCOME COUNTRIES."
"THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND, WHETHER IT IS THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OR THE STUDENTS AT YALE, THAT
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO A REQUEST BY THE
LEADERSHIP, IF THAT REQUESTS IS FORTHCOMING.-
3. WARM REGARDS.
BT
0322
10 0
NNNN No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
CONFIDENTIAL
HAK TO (.
November 5, 1974 IMMEDIATE
TO: GENERAL SCOWCROFT
FROM: JERRY BREMER
1. As promised, herewith text of Kansas City Star article
on Butz's press conference, held in Rome November 4.
2. BEGIN TEXT: (Attached) END TEXT.
3. Warm regards.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
ROME (KIEWIT) WHILE REFUSING TO DESCRIBE THE WORLD FOOD
SITUATION AS A CRISIS, EARL L. BUTZ, U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY,
SAID HERE ON THE EVE OF THE 11-DAY WORLD FOOD CONFERENCE THAT
THE WORK OF DELEGATES FROM APPROXIMATELY 149 NATIONS ''MUST
NOT BE PERMITTED TO FAIL."
BUTZ, WHO ARRIVED IN ROME TONIGHT AFTER CONFERRING WITH
WUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL OFFICIALS EARLIER IN THE DAY IN BRUSSELS,
SAID ONE ENCOURAGING SING THAT CO-OPERATION WILL BE THE WORKING
ATMOSPHERE IS THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAS JUST PLEDGED 1
MILLION TONS OF WHEAT TO INDIA.
"I REFRAIN FROM USING THE WORD CR IS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OVERALL WORLD FOOD SITUATION- BUT---.IT CRITICAL-11 BUTZ
SAID UPON HIS ARRIVAL TO HEAD THE U.S. DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE
WHICH CONTINUES UNTIL NOV. 16.
HENRY KISSINGER, SECRETARY OF STATE, WILL ADDRESS THE OPENING
SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE TOMORROW. BUTZ WILL MAKE HIS CONFERENCE
ADDRESS LATER THIS WEEK. THEN EACH OF THE PARTICIPATING NATIONS
WILL TELL THE CONFERENCE WHAT IT CAN DO, OR WHAT IT WILL NEED,
IN FOOD SUPPLIES.
THE MEETING IS BEING HELD UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE
UNITED NATIONS IT IS BEING HELD ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ROME IN
THE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI, A HUGE AUDITORIUM.
FOLLOWING THE FORMAL PRESENTATIONS, DELEGATES WILL DIVIDE INTO
SEMINARS AND,WORKSHOPS TO DISCUSS SUCH MATTERS AS INCREASING FOOD
PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS, MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN FOOD
SECURITY, PLANS TO IMPROVE TRADE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THAT,
THE MEETING WILL CONCLUDED ON THE FINAL TWO DAYS WITH THE WRITING
AND ADOPTION OF A FINAL REPORT.
'' "THE FOOD CONFERENCE DARE NOT FAIL, BUT THE SUCCESS OF
THE MEETING REMAINS TO BE SEEN," BUTZ ADMITTED.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
0 9
"I THINK OVERYBODY AGREES TO THAT. WORLD FOOD RESERVES ARE
THE LOWEST THEY HAVE BEEN IN MANY, MANY YEARS. THAT IS CHIEFLY
THE RESULT OF A VERY POOR PRODUCTION YEAR IN 1972 ARROUND THE
WORLD AND AGAIN IN 1974, ESPECIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH
OUR CORN CROP.
IN LISTING HIS HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE ROME CONFERENCE,
WITH DELEGATES FROM BOTH THE U.S.S.R. AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA IN ATTENDANCE, BUTZ TICKED fl wnTIR ITEMA THAT HE ,
SAID MUST BE HANDLED CO-OPERATIVELY AND SUFF-- SUCCESSFULLY.
HE MENTIONED: I 2PARP TECHNICAL URAL
ASSISTANCE; THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRUDENT RESERV CY, A
BETTER REPORTING SYSTEr'L TO DETERMINE AREAS OF WORLD SHORTAGES
AND SURPLUSES AND, LASTLY, SHORT TERM RELIEF FOR PERSONS ALREADY
SUFFERING FROM HUNGER IN AFRICA AND ASIA.
DEVELOPING NATIONS SIMPLY MUST INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO
FEED THEMSELVES, HE SAID, ADDING: " "IN THE LAST 2Q YEARS, FOR
EXAMPLE, THE INCREASE IN YIELDS HAS BEEN TWICE~AS GREAT IN THE
DEVELOPED NATIONS AS IN THE DEVELOPING NATIONS. THIS MUST BE
CORRECTED."
BUTZ TOLD A GROUP OF NEWSMEN FROM ACROSS THE WORLD THAT UNTIL
THE LAST TWO YEARS VIRTUALLY ALL OF.THE FOOD RESERVES IN THE
WORLD WERE CONCENTRATED IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. HE SAID
U.S. RESERVES WERE ACCUMULATED MOSTLY AS THE RESULT OF'DOMESTIC
FARM PROGRAMS, WHICH COST THE TEXPAYERS UP TO DOLLARS 4 BILLIONL,
AS COMPARED TO LESS THAN DOLLARS 5QQ MILLION THIS YEAR AND THAT
FOR SEVERAL SPECIALIZED CROPS.
"THAT ERA HAS ENDED," HE SAID. ''THEREFORE THE
RESPONSABILITY FOR CARRYING RESERVES MUST BE BROADENED AND MUST
BE SHARED BY ALL PRODUCING NATIONS AND ALSO BY THE PRINCIPAL
CONSUMING NATIONS."
HE ADDED THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS NEED NOT BE IN THE FORM OF FOOD
ITSELF AND URGED THE OIL PRODUCING NATIONS TO STEP UP THEIR DEGREE
OF HELP NOW THAT THEY HAVE FAVORABLE BALANCES OF TRADE. HE
MENTIONED A DOLLARS 5Q MILLION GRANT BY EGYPT LAST SPRING AS
AN EXAMPLE.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
? i
BUTZ ADDED THAT THE U.S.ITSELF WILL IREASE ITS FOOD AID
UNDER PUBLIC LAW NO. 499 FROM DOLLARS 909 MILLION TO DOLLARS 1
BILLION. WHEN REMINDED THAT THE INCREASE PROBABLY WOULD NOT
PROVIDE AS MUCH FOOD CONSIDERING INFFLATION, BUTZ RESPONDED:
"I SIMPLY CAN'T COMMIT THE CONGRESS" TO INCREASING THAT SHARE.
HE SUMMED UP HIS INFORMAL REMARKS BY REPEATING A THEME HE
USED TIME AND AGAIN IN SIMILAR APPEARANCES AT HOME: THAT
THE PROFILT-ELEMENT MUST BE PRESENT TO INCREASE FOOT) PRODUCTION
WHETHER IN THE U.S. OR ELSEWHERE. IN FACT HE MENTIONED KANSAS
WHEAT PARMORS IN HIS ILLUSTRATION, SAYING THAT THE SOWING OF
THEAT IN KANSAS NOW IS BEING COMPLETED.
''THE BEST POSSIBLE SIGNAL TO SEND BACK TO THEM WAS DOLLARS
4.5Q A BUSHEL WHEAT," HE SAID. ''THEY CAN INTERPRET THAT SIGNAL
WITH A DULL LEAD PENCIL.'YOU NEED NO SPECIAL SKILL TO GET THAT
SIGNAL ACROSS.
"IF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE HAD GONE TO THEM AND SAID
WE WANT MORE WHEAT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THE PRICE DOWN AND TO
KEEP THE PRICE DOWN WE HAVE A STOCK HERE THAT WE WILL RELEASE WE
WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THE RESPONSE WE ARE GETTING.''
IN A 2-DAY PRELUDE TO THE CONFERENCE, A GROUP OF
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMISTS AND AGRICULTURE EXPERTS FROM AROUND
THE WORLD CONVENED HERE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BARBARA WARD
(LADY JACKSON, D. B. E.), A WIDELY-KNOWN BRITISH ECONOMIST.
CALLING ITSELF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT, THE GROUP ISSUED A DECLARATION OF THE ROME
FORUM ON WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS ON THE EVE OF THE WORLD
CONFERENCE,
THE CHAIRPERSON SAID THAT THE MEETING HERE CARRIES WITH
IT A "SENSE OF EXTREME URGENCY" HER CONVICTION IS THAT THE
REAL ISSUE IS WHETHER LARGE SEGMENTS OF MANKIND WILL HAVE
ENOUGH FOOD TO SURVIVE UNTIL THE 1975 HARVESTS. SHE PEGGED THE
CRITICAL TIME ELEMENT OVER THE NEXT SIX TO NINE MONTHS. SHE
CALLED FOR THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONALLY-CONTROLLED
AND PRICED GRAIN STOCKS SO "THAT WE DO NOT HAVE CONTINUUSLY
INFLATIONARY PRESSURE ARISING FROM UNCONTROLLED WORLD MARKETS."
3
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 ?
Dd
r-
C
E
E
A
2
2
C'?
to
W
a
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
16
M
' SO THAT
SHE ALSO CALLED FOR AN "EARLY WARNING SYSTE
NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF THE SIZE
OF WORLD FOOD STOCKS AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME..
ONE IDEA PRESENTED IN THE DECLARATION APPEARS TO HAVE THE
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT OF DELEGATES FROM MANY NATIONS AS THEY ARRIVE
IN ROME. THAT IS THE CONCEPT THAT THE NEWLY-RICH OIL PRODUCING
NATIONS SHOULD JOIN WITH DEVELPED NATIONS IN SHARING THE BURDEN
OF FEEDING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE OLD RICH OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED
WORLD AND THE NEW RIEN AMONG THE OIL PRODUCERS MUST MUTUALLY COME
TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A WHOLE NEW EFFORT IN THIS FIELD, "LADY
JACKSON SAID.
THAT MIGHT BE ACHIEVED, LADY JACKSON ADDED, BY THE FUNDING
OF A WORLD AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT. MUCH
OF THAT INVESTMENT, SHE SAID, SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO SMALL FORMERS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN A MASSIVE EFFORT TO HELP THEM COLLECTIVELY
TO INCREASE GRAIN PRODUCTION.
LADY JACKSON.SUMMED UP BY SAYING THAT IN MANY AREAS OF
THE DEVELOPED WORLD DIETS ARE TOO HIGH FOR GOOD HEALTH,
ADDING THAT THE DESIREABILITY OF CUTTING DOWN OUR FOOD INTAKE
AND MAKING CERTAIN THAT A CORRESPONDING AMOUNT OF FOOD MONEY
FINDS ITS WAY TO A LEGITIMATE WORLD ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO
DISTRIBUTE FOOD OUGHT TO BE A TOP PRIORITY OF THE CONFERENCE
HERE.
" "IN 1946, WHEN THERE WAS A THREAT OF WORLD FAMINE IN THE
WAKE OF THE WAR AND THE PRESENT WEALTHY PEOPLE WERE 25 YEARS LESS
WEALTHY THAN THEY ARE NOW, THE GOVERNMENTS OF THAT TIME,
INCLUDING THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, HAD THE GUTS TO SAY TO THEIR
PEOPLE THERE WILL BE RATIONING THIS WINTER BECAUSE WE
MUST BE CERTAIN THAT THE GRAIN IS AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THAT
WHAT WE DID 25 YEARS AGO IS NOT INCONCIEVABLE NOW.
LESTER BROWN, A,U.S. WRITER, WORLD FOOD EXPERT AND A FORMER
OFFICIAL OF THE USDA, TOLD*THE.FORUM THERE ARE'AT LEAST TWO WAYS
OF STRETCHING OUT WORLD FOOD SUPPLIES. ONE, HE SAID, WAS FOR
GOVERNMENTS TO INTERVENE IN THE MARKET AND, IN THE AFFLUENT
NATIONS, PURCHASING FOOD FOR SHIPMENT ABROAD. ANOTHER IS TO ASK
CONSUMERS VOLUNTARILY TO REDUCE THEIR CONSUMPTION. BROWN ADDED
HE BELIEVED THAT APPROACH WOULD WORK IF AMERICANS WERE ASKED.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0
I-P IV
h
" WE HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IN
ASKING FOR CONSUMPTION TO BE REDUCED, " BORWN SAID. " THE
PRESIDENT EARLY THIS YEAR ASKED AMERICANS TO CUT BACK ON THE
USE OF ENERGY, FOR EXAMPLE, TURNING DOWN THERMOSTATS SIX
DEGREES.
"I THINK THE GREAT MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WERE RESPONSIVE
TO THAT REQUEST. I THINK THE SAME GREAT MAJORITY, AS WELL AS
THOSE IN OTHER AFFLUENT COUNTRIES, WOULD BE RESPONSIVE AGAIN
TODAY TO REQUESTS FOR CUTTING BACK'ON FOOD CONSUMPTION, IF
THAT CUTBACK WAS LINKED TO A FOOD RELIEF PROGRAM TO PREVENT
A RISE IN DEATH RATES THAT OTHERWISE WILL BE INEVITABLE IN A
NUMBER OF THE LOWINCOME COUNTRIES."
"THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND, WHETHER IT IS.THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OR THE STUDENTS AT YALE, THAT
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO A REQUEST BY THE
LEADERSHIP, IF THAT REQUESTS IS FORTHCOMING."
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/12/09: LOC-HAK-262-2-62-0