Sheryl P.

Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

Message Text
CONFIDENTIAL

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------------------080281 260100Z /70
O 260006Z APR 79
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9453
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 01766

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E.O. 12065: ADS 4/25/80 (MCHENRY, D.F.) OR-M

TAGS: AORG, PORG, SF, XJ
SUBJECT: POLICY OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY. SWEDISH AMBASSADOR THUNBORG, CHAIRMAN OF THE

COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNITED NATIONS TRUST FUND
FOR SOUTH AFRICA, HAS INFORMED US THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECONSIDERED ITS POLICY OF MAINTAINING THE CONFIDENTIALITY
OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE DISBURSEMENT OF TRUST FUND
GRANTS AND DECIDED TO "STAND ON ITS PRINCIPLES" AND
CONTINUE THE POLICY OF CONFIDENTIALITY. THE TRUST FUND
WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF VOLUNTARY ORGANIZA-
TIONS WHICH PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF APARTHEID.
BECAUSE OF PAST AND CONTINUING SOUTH AFRICAN PERSECUTION
OF SUCH ORGANIZATIONS, THE GRANTS OF THE TRUST FUND HAVE
BEEN TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY, AND IT SEEMS REASONABLE
TO ASSUME THAT RELEASE OF INFORMATION ON THOSE GRANTS
COULD JEOPARDIZE THE LIVES AND EFFORTS OF THOSE INVOLVED
IN SUCH ORGANIZATIONS. WE, THEREFORE, RECOMMEND THAT,
IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES FROM CONGRESS REGARDING TRUST
FUND GRANTS, THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAIN THE POLICY OF
CONFIDENTIALITY, ITS ORIGINS AND THE DANGERS INHERENT
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IN ANY CHANGE, AS WELL AS ENUMERATE CERTAIN SPECIFIC

ASSURANCES WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN US BY AMBASSADOR THUNBORG
CONCERNING SUCH GRANTS. THESE ASSURANCES INCLUDE: (A)
THAT NO MONEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRUST FUND IS UTILIZED
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FOR ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL
LIBERATION MOVEMENTS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA; (B)
THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TRUST FUND IS STRICTLY HUMANITARIAN;

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

AND (C) THAT THE TRUST FUND HAS NEVER MADE A GRANT TO THE
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES' PROGRAMME TO COMBAT RACISM.
SPECIFIC TALKING POINTS ARE CONTAINED BELOW. END SUMMARY.

1. SWEDISH AMBASSADOR THUNBORG, CHAIRMAN OF THE

COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNITED NATIONS TRUST FUND
FOR SOUTH AFRICA, INFORMED US PM APRIL 20 THAT THE
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES MET ON APRIL 18 AND RECONSIDERED
ITS POLICY OF MAINTAINING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF
INFORMATION REGARDING DISBURSEMENT OF TRUST FUND GRANTS.
THUNBORG SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD DETERMINED TO
"STAND ON ITS PRINCIPLES" AND CONTINUE THE POLICY OF
CONFIDENTIALITY. HE WAS MOST APPRECIATIVE OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL DESIRE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION BUT SAID
THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF CONFIDENTIALITY COULD NOT BE
BROKEN. THUNBORG EXPRESSED THE COMMITTEE'S GRATITUDE TO
THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE FUND, AND
SAID THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT HE
COULD TO HELP US.

2. THE SWEDISH MISSION AND AMBASSADOR THUNBORG IN

PARTICULAR HAVE, AS ALWAYS, BEEN MOST COOPERATIVE WITH US.
THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO HELP BUT ARE CONVINCED OF THE
IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO THE WORK OF THE TRUST
FUND. IN THIS REGARD IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE
TRUST FUND WAS CREATED IN 1965 IN PART BECAUSE THE SOUTH
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AFRICAN GOVERNMENT WAS INTIMIDATING, PERSECUTING, AND

OUTLAWING ORGANIZATIONS WHICH WERE RECEIVING OUTSIDE
ASSISTANCE IN THEIR EFFORT TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF
APARTHEID. THE TRUST FUND HAS THUS SERVED AS A CHANNEL
THROUGH WHICH HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COULD BE CONFIDENTIAL-
LY TRANSMITTED TO SUCH ORGANIZATIONS WITHOUT ENDANGERING
THEIR WORK OR THE INDIVIDUALS THEY ARE ASSISTING.

3. SOUTH AFRICAN EFFORTS TO OBSTRUCT THE WORK OF

ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTING THE VICTIMS OF APARTHEID ARE
WELL KNOWN, AS IS SOUTH AFRICAN OPPRESSION AGAINST
INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN SUCH EFFORTS. IT IS THEREFORE
REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION
ON THE TRUST FUND'S ACTIVITIES COULD JEOPARDIZE THE
LIVES AND EFFORTS OF THOSE OPPOSING APARTHEID IN SOUTH
AFRICA. WHILE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, OR MORE
ACCURATELY CERTAIN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, MIGHT WISH FULLER
INFORMATION ON THE TRUST FUND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BEAR
IN MIND THE SOLELY HUMANITARIAN NATURE OF THE TRUST FUND,
THE CONDITIONS BROUGHT ABOUT BY APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA,
AND THE REPRESSIVE METHODS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN
GOVERNMENT. THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE FUND IS NOT

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

BROUGHT ABOUT BY A DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE UNITED

NATIONS TO BE SECRETIVE. ON THE CONTRARY, THE FUND'S
CONFIDENTIALITY STEMS FROM A LEGITIMATE DESIRE TO
PROTECT THE WELL-BEING OF THE RECIPIENTS OF ITS HUMANITARIAN
AID FROM INJURY OR HARRASSMENT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN
GOVERNMENT.

4. WE THEREFORE BELIEVE THAT IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES

FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT THE WORK AND

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INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
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DISBURSEMENTS OF THE TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA, THE

DEPARTMENT SHOULD MAKE THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

A) THE TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA WAS CREATED BY THE UN

GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1965. GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION
2054(XX) STATES THAT THE FUND IS "TO BE USED FOR GRANTS
TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENTS OF HOST COUNTRIES
OF REFUGEES FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER APPROPRIATE
BODIES, TOWARDS:

(A) LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS CHARGED UNDER

DISCRIMINATORY AND REPRESSIVE LEGISLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA;

(B) RELIEF FOR DEPENDENTS OF PERSONS PERSECUTED BY

THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR ACTS ARISING FROM
OPPOSITION TO THE POLICIES OF APARTHEID;

(C) EDUCATION OF PRISONERS, THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHER

DEPENDENTS; AND

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

(D) RELIEF FOR REFUGEES FROM SOUTH AFRICA."

B) THE TRUST FUND HAS A POLICY OF MAINTAINING THE

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CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE DISBURSEMENT

OF TRUST FUND GRANTS. THIS POLICY HAS RECENTLY BEEN
REVIEWED AND RECONFIRMED BY THE COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES
OF THE TRUST FUND. THE POLICY OF CONFIDENTIALITY HAS
BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT NOT BY A DESIRE FOR SECRECY ON THE
PART OF THE UNITED NATIONS BUT RATHER BY THE PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES OF APARTHEID. SOUTH AFRICAN EFFORTS TO
OBSTRUCT, PRECLUDE, AND OUTLAW THE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
ASSISTING THE VICTIMS OF APARTHEID ARE WELL KNOWN, AS IS
SOUTH AFRICAN OPPRESSION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN
SUCH EFFORTS. THE MOST RECENT REPORT (OF NOVEMBER 10,
1978) OF THE COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUND
STATES THAT "...THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT INCREASE IN
REPRESSIVE MEASURES IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE PAST
YEAR...". "THE NUMBER OF TRIALS UNDER THE TERRORISM
ACT HAS INCREASED. TORTURE AND DEATHS OF POLITICAL
DETAINEES HAVE CONTINUED. THE SCOPE OF REPRESSION HAS
SPREAD EVEN WIDER, AS EVIDENCED BY THE DETENTION OF A
LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF YOUNG CHRISTIAN WORKERS, A
CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN ASSISTING
THE BLACK WORKERS TO KNOW AND EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER
THE LAWS. THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA HAS, MOREOVER,
TRIED TO INTIMIDATE LAWYERS WHO DEFENDED POLITICAL
CASES, AND HAS ENACTED THE FUND-RAISING ACT (NO. 107 OF
1978) TO CONTROL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR HUMANITARIAN PURPOSES
RECEIVED FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY."

C) IT WAS IN PART BECAUSE OF SOUTH AFRICAN PERSECUTION

OF ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO
THE VICTIMS OF APARTHEID THAT THE TRUST FUND WAS FORMED
AND THAT THE FUND HAS SERVED AS A CONFIDENTIAL CONDUIT
OF GRANTS TO SUCH ORGANIZATIONS. GIVEN THE HISTORY OF
SOUTH AFRICAN REPRESSION AND OPPOSITION TO ASSISTANCE
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TO THE VICTIMS OF APARTHEID, IT IS ONLY REASONABLE

TO ASSUME THAT THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION ON THE TRUST
FUND'S GRANTS COULD JEOPARDIZE THE LIVES AND EFFORTS
OF THOSE OPPOSING APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA.

D) IT SHOULD OF COURSE BE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE UNITED

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

NATIONS TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA HAS, FROM ITS

INCEPTION, ESTABLISHED STRICT PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT
ITS GRANTS ARE UTILIZED EFFICIENTLY AND STRICTLY FOR
THE HUMANITARIAN PURPOSES LAID DOWN BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY. BEFORE MAKING GRANTS TO ANY ORGANIZATION,
THE FIVE-MEMBER COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES TAKES INTO ACCOUNT
ITS SPONSORSHIP, ITS PERFORMANCE WITH REGARD TO RELIEF
AND ASSISTANCE, AND ITS ACCOUNTING AND OTHER PROCEDURES.
RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE
COMMITTEE ON THE USE OF THE GRANTS AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND
THE EXTERNAL BOARD OF AUDITORS OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
THESE ARE SCRUTINIZED BY THE COMMITTEE BEFORE FURTHER
GRANTS ARE MADE. THE ACCOUNTS ARE ALSO EXAMINED ANNUALLY
BY THE UN BOARD OF AUDITORS. IN ADDITION, THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES ANNUALLY VISITS
THE MAJOR RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS TO EXAMINE THE ACCOUNTS
AND CONSULT ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE OPERATIONS.

E) SWEDISH AMBASSADOR THUNBORG, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE

OF TRUSTEES, HAS CERTIFIED TO US THAT: (1) NO MONEY
CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRUST FUND IS UTILIZED DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY FOR ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL LIBERATION
MOVEMENTS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA; (2) THE PURPOSE
OF THE FUND IS STRICTLY HUMANITARIAN; (3) THE TRUST FUND
HAS NEVER MADE A GRANT TO THE WORLD COUNCIL OF

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O 260006Z APR 79
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9455
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 01766

CAPE TOWN FOR EMBASSY

CHURCHES' PROGRAMME TO COMBAT RACISM. IN ADDITION,

AMBASSADOR THUNBORG HAS INFORMED US THAT THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF GRANTS BY THE TRUST FUND BREAKS DOWN AS

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

FOLLOWS:57 O/O FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE; 22 O/O FOR ASSISTANCE

TO DEPENDENTS; AND 15 O/O FOR RELIEF OF REFUGEES.

F) WE BELIEVE THAT, GIVEN THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN

SOUTH AFRICA, THESE ASSURANCES ARE ADEQUATE. UNDER OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES, A FULLER ACCOUNTING MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE;
HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE JEOPARDY IN WHICH TRUST FUND
RECIPIENTS COULD BE PLACED BY A FULLER DISCLOSURE, WE
BELIEVE THE COURSE BEING TAKEN BY THE TRUST FUND IS AS
FORTHCOMING AS POSSIBLE. YOUNG

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 Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

Message Attributes
Automatic Decaptioning: X
Capture Date: 01 jan 1994
Channel Indicators: n/a
Current Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Concepts: TRUST FUNDS, GRANTS, INFORMATION CONTROL
Control Number: n/a
Copy: SINGLE
Draft Date: 26 apr 1979
Decaption Date: 01 jan 1960
Decaption Note:
Disposition Action: RELEASED
Disposition Approved on Date:
Disposition Case Number: n/a
Disposition Comment: 25 YEAR REVIEW
Disposition Date: 20 Mar 2014
Disposition Event:
Disposition History: n/a
Disposition Reason:
Disposition Remarks:
Document Number: 1979USUNN01766
Document Source: CORE
Document Unique ID: 00
Drafter: n/a
Enclosure: n/a
Executive Order: AS 19800425 MCHENRY, D F
Errors: N/A
Expiration:
Film Number: D790190-0001
Format: TEL
From: USUN NEW YORK OR-M
Handling Restrictions: n/a
Image Path:
ISecure: 1
Legacy Key: link1979/newtext/t19790415/aaaaalwd.tel
Line Count: 288
Litigation Code IDs:
Litigation Codes:
Litigation History:
Locator: TEXT ON-LINE, ON MICROFILM
Message ID: 48775ebb-c288-dd11-92da-001cc4696bcc
Office: ACTION IO
Original Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Original Handling Restrictions: n/a
Original Previous Classification: n/a
Original Previous Handling Restrictions: n/a
Page Count: 6
Previous Channel Indicators: n/a
Previous Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Previous Handling Restrictions: n/a
Reference: n/a
Retention: 0
Review Action: RELEASED, APPROVED
Review Content Flags:
Review Date: 19 oct 2005
Review Event:
Review Exemptions: n/a
Review Media Identifier:
Review Release Date: n/a
Review Release Event: n/a
Review Transfer Date:
Review Withdrawn Fields: n/a
SAS ID: 3169583
Secure: OPEN
Status: NATIVE
Subject: POLICY OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS TRUST FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA SUMMARY. SWEDISH AMBASSADOR
THUNBORG, CHAIRMAN OF
TAGS: AORG, PORG, SF, XJ
To: STATE PRETORIA
Type: TE
vdkvgwkey: odbc://SAS/SAS.dbo.SAS_Docs/48775ebb-c288-dd11-92da-001cc4696bcc
Review Markings:
Sheryl P. Walter
Declassified/Released
US Department of State
EO Systematic Review
20 Mar 2014
Markings: Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014

Sheryl P. Walter Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 20 Mar 2014