World: THE ROCKEFELLER REPORT ON LATIN AMERICA

"The U.S. has all too often demonstrated, at least subconsciously, a paternalistic attitude toward other nations of the hemisphere. It has tried to direct the internal affairs of other nations to an unseemly degree, thinking, perhaps arrogantly, that it knew what was best for them. The U.S. has talked about partnership, but it has not truly practiced it."

THE words are not, as one might readily assume, those of a Latin American politician disgruntled with the U.S. They are Nelson Rockefeller's—and they lie at the core of a report that may well shape Washington's Latin America policy for years to come. The report was the product of a 20-nation journey made by the New York Governor last summer to help the new Nixon Administration reassess and reinvigorate a shaky Latin American policy. Rockefeller's survey trip was beset by anti-American demonstrations and violence. Indeed, some Latin Americans complained that the effort was at best ill-timed, at worst altogether useless.

The report, with its blunt recommendations on subjects ranging from trade to health, is far from that. Richard Nixon incorporated some of its suggestions in a policy speech in which he called for a new partnership between the U.S. and the nations of the hemisphere (TIME, Nov. 7). In line with specific Rockefeller proposals, he pledged to channel more U.S. development funds through multilateral agencies, to "untie" aid funds that up to now had to be spent in the U.S., and to accept the existence of military governments without subjecting them to moral judgments. He also raised the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs to Under Secretary to coordinate U.S. Government programs. The Rockefeller report, which is being made public this week, goes considerably beyond these measures.

Policy and Organization

The Governor feels that his recommendations will have only marginal effect unless there is a thorough reorganization of U.S. Government machinery dealing with the hemisphere. The State Department, his report contends, now controls less than half of the policy decisions affecting Latin America; other agencies, such as the Treasury and the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture and Defense, handle the remainder. What is more, says the report, the financial and technical operations of the State Department, in its administration of the U.S. aid program, all too often get tangled up with its diplomatic responsibilities. To eliminate overlap, Rockefeller recommends that the U.S. establish an Economic and Social Development Agency in the office of the President. A separate Institute of Western Hemisphere Affairs would carry out actual aid programs.

Economic Development